This Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini Squash is the summer side dish I make on repeat from the moment our garden starts producing and honestly it never gets old. Fresh zucchini chunks seasoned with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and sea salt go into the air fryer at 400 degrees for 12 minutes and what comes out is perfectly golden brown, slightly crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.
It is one of those recipes that is so simple and so good that it becomes part of your weekly routine without you even realizing it.
One of my readers told me she makes this for her work lunches every week and her husband started opening her packed lunches and eating the zucchini out of them before she could take them to work.
I love that so much and honestly it is the best endorsement a recipe can get.
This recipe is naturally gluten free, completely keto friendly, made without any breading, and ready in just 17 minutes which makes it the perfect quick side dish for any weeknight dinner all summer long.
If you are looking for more zucchini recipes you might also like my Gluten Free Zucchini Squash and Corn Casserole, this Baked Kale and Zucchini Pilaf or my Gluten Free Summer Squash Casserole recipes.
Jump to:
Instructions
Wash the fresh zucchini in water and pat dry. Cut into rounds and then quarter the rounds. Cut off the seeds portion and then cut the piece into even sized chunks.
Add the chunks of zucchini to a bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, smoked paprika, coarse ground pepper and ground cumin. Stir to combine.
Pour the zucchini mixture evenly in the basket of your air fryer. Air fry at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.
Variations
- Yellow Squash - you can replace the zucchini with yellow squash or use a mixture of both
- Spicy - add a pinch of cayenne pepper to give this dish a bit of a kick
- Add Onion - add a small chopped sweet or yellow onion
Equipment
Storage
Store the leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
I love to meal prep two or three batches of this recipe and then reheat it throughout the week for a quick side dish to go with whatever meat I'm preparing.
More Recipes You Might Enjoy
I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 40% off your first order!
Print
Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini Squash
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini Squash is the easiest and most flavorful summer side dish you can make in just 17 minutes with no breading required. Fresh zucchini chunks are tossed with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and sea salt and air fried at 400 degrees until perfectly golden brown and roasted with a tender inside and slightly crispy exterior. Naturally gluten free, keto friendly, and perfect for weeknight dinners, summer meal prep, and using up garden zucchini all season long!
Ingredients
- 4 cups Fresh Zucchini, seeded and cubed
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
- ½ tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ tsp Coarse Ground Black Pepper
- ¼ tsp Ground Cumin
Instructions
Wash the fresh zucchini in water and pat dry. Cut into rounds and then quarter the rounds. Cut off the seeds portion and then cut the piece into even sized chunks.
Add the chunks of zucchini to a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, smoked paprika, coarse ground pepper and ground cumin. Stir to combine.
Pour the zucchini mixture evenly in the basket of your air fryer. Air fry at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Vegetables
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
If you made this Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini Squash I would love to hear what you thought! Please leave a star rating and a comment below. This is one of my favorite easy summer side dishes and I hope it becomes a staple in your kitchen too!
Top Tip
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket when making this recipe. The zucchini needs space around each piece for the hot air to circulate and create that beautiful golden brown roasted exterior. If the basket is too crowded the zucchini will steam instead of roast and you will lose that slightly crispy texture that makes this recipe so good. If you are making a large batch work in two separate batches rather than piling everything in at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! I think it is the easiest way to roast zucchini. I like to cut mine into evenly sized chunks, but small rounds will also work. Air fry at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. The zucchini will be golden brown and delicious.
I cook 4 cups of evenly sized chunks of zucchini squash at 400 degrees for 12 minutes for a nice golden brown roasted veggie.
Summer squash are grown during the warm summer months. Their skin is tender and does not need to be peeled. The most common summer squash are zucchini, yellow crookneck squash and pattypan. Depending on your region you will start to see summer squash at your farmer's market or local grocery starting in summer months.
Zucchini squash is a great vegetable choice if you are on a low carb or keto diet. One cup of sliced zucchini has about 2.5 grams of net carbs.
No! One of the great things about zucchini squash is that the skin is soft and does not need to be peeled. It's an added benefit that the skin is full of vitamin C, other vitamins and minerals and fiber.
Terie says
Is this diabetic friendly?
smallfarmbiglife says
Hi Terie. I'm not a diabetic and am not sure what their diet restrictions are. I can't say whether this dish would work for someone with diabetes. ~Elaine
Sharonda says
This recipe is absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing this with everyone! I did not put all the seasonings on it - I just put Adobo seasoning. I also added bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese shredded to it! Absolutely amazing! Thanks again for sharing this recipe with us!
Sharonda says
Thanks for sharing this recipe! It’s absolutely amazing! I made it without most of those seasonings. I used Adobo seasoning which does include garlic and salt in it. I also used olive oil and added Parmesan shredded cheese and bread crumbs for more of a crunch! This recipe is so delicious! Thank you again for sharing with all of us!
smallfarmbiglife says
I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe Sharonda! Thank you for leaving a comment. ~Elaine
Kathy says
I made this for my lunches and apparently it smelled so good that my husband opened up one of my packed lunches and ate the veggies out of it the next day. I didn’t know until I opened it at work. I am now no longer allowed to made this unless I make enough for him too.
smallfarmbiglife says
I'm so glad you are both enjoying this recipe Kathy!! Thank you for leaving a comment. ~Elaine