• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Nourished by Nic
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Snacks
    • Lunch + Dinner
    • Appetizers + Sides
    • Dessert
  • Lifestyle
  • Work with me
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Shop my Faves
  • Find Me On....

    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • Work with me
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Lifestyle
    • Shop
    • Work with me
    • Contact
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    • Air fryer breakfast sandwich cut in half and stacked.
      Air Fryer Breakfast Sandwich
    • Air fried banana split served with yogurt in a bowl.
      Air Fried Banana Split
    • Chocolate baked oats topped with strawberries.
      One Dish Strawberry Chocolate Baked Oats (Vegan)
    • Close up of egg salad with pickles.
      Egg Salad With Pickles
    • vegan meal prep breakfast ideas cover photo
      10 Vegan Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas
    • Birds eye of popcorn trailmix in a bowl.
      The Best Popcorn Trail Mix
    • Plate of sheet pan pancakes made from mix.
      Easy Sheet Pan Pancakes From A Mix
    • Mini protein cheesecakes topped with chia jam on a plate.
      Mini High Protein Cheesecakes
    • Grinder salad with creamy Italian dressing.
      Italian Grinder Salad (Antipasto Salad)
    • side view of lemon cheesecake overnight oats
      Lemon Cheesecake Overnight Oats
    • Two pieces of avocado fudge stacked, with a bite in the top piece.
      3 Ingredient Avocado Fudge
    • Birds eye of a dessert board with graham crackers, fruit, pretzels and chocolate fruit dip.
      Chocolate Vegan Fruit Dip

    Home » Recipes » Vegetarian

    The Best Lemon and Parmesan Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks

    Published: Jun 29, 2022 · Modified: Nov 2, 2022 by Nicole Addison · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    My new favourite zucchini recipe! These Lemon and Parmesan Air Fryer Zucchini sticks are packed with flavour and the perfect summer side dish with any meal.

    It's officially summer which means my garden will be pumping out zucchinis from now until September. So I hope you are ready for all the zucchini recipes coming your way! As you may know by now I love taking vegetables people typically "hate" and creating a delicious air fryer version EVERYONE loves. So far I've created air fryer Brussels sprouts and air fryer asparagus both of which have gone VIRAL on Tiktok and Instagram!

    I wanted to kick off zucchini season with the BEST air fryer zucchini recipe to convince even the biggest zucchini haters that zucchini can actually be good! Introducing; lemon and Parmesan air fryer zucchini sticks. The only vegetable I'll be eating all summer (kidding...).

    lemon and parmesan air fryer zucchini sticks

    If I hate zucchini why will I like this air fryer zucchini?

    Believe me when I say if you hate zucchini I feel you. It took me YEARS to finally enjoy zucchini. For the longest time I found the texture really odd. There was something about how juicy the inside was when you baked it that just threw me off. However over time as I got older I started giving it more of a chance and realized I was being a little too judgmental of the versatile veggie.

    I am now a FIRM believer that every vegetable can be tasty depending on how you cut and cook it. So it is now my personal mission to convert any vegetable hater into someone who AT LEAST gives veggies a fighting chance.

    What makes these lemon and Parmesan air fryer zucchini sticks so good is the fact that the zucchini is cut into thin slices. That way you keep the nutrients, while missing out on the weird juiciness that typically results when you bake zucchini. Not to mention the combination of flavours and spices are PERFECT. I swear these zucchini sticks taste like pasta somehow and I promise if you try them you will love them as much as I do.

    What if I don't have an air fryer?

    Don't worry! Like all of my air fryer vegetable recipes these lemon and Parmesan air fryer zucchini sticks can be made in the oven!

    I recommend following the recipe as is, spreading the zucchini sticks evenly on a prepared baking tray and roasting at 400 degrees F for about 30 minutes shaking the pan halfway through cooking. Tip: to get the zucchini extra crispy try broiling at the very end for a few minutes!

    Lemon and Parmesan air fryer zucchini sticks

    What ingredients do I need for Lemon and Parmesan Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks?

    Zucchini- DUH you can't have the best air fryer zucchini without zucchini! We take full advantage of zucchini with this perfect summer side recipe.

    Spices- A combination of Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt and red pepper flakes brings the PERFECT blend of spice and flavour to this zucchini.

    Parmesan- My personal favourite addition to any vegetable. Nutritional yeast is also an amazing substitute if you are following a vegan diet, don't have Parmesan on hand or just wan to change it up and add a little more vitamin B12!

    Bread Crumbs- For additional flavour a bit of crunch! I use Italian breadcrumbs in this recipe, however original breadcrumbs will also work! If you do not wish to use bread crumbs - don't worry, just add additional Parmesan cheese!

    Olive oil- You can use any cooking oil such as avocado oil, canola oil etc. This helps coat the zucchini to help them crisp up while cooking.

    Lemon- Just the juice! Lemon brings the perfect amount of zest to these lemon and Parmesan air fryer zucchini sticks. I find lemon is the perfect addition to any vegetable to help reduce the bitterness!

    Garlic- Use freshly pressed garlic for optimal flavour!

    Air Fryer- This isn’t an ingredient but to make this spicy garlic air fryer zucchini you will also need an air fryer. I personally love this one! However any air fryer will work!

    PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make these Lemon and Parmesan Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks don't forget to leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic and I'll be sure to re-share!

    Lemon and Parmesan air fryer zucchini sticks

    📖 Recipe

    lemon and parmesan air fryer zucchini sticks
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Lemon and Parmesan Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks

    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time12 minutes mins
    Total Time17 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Keyword: air fryer veggies

    Ingredients 

    • 3 medium zucchinis (about 1 lb)
    • 1.5 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 medium lemon just the juice
    • 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
    • 2 tablespoon Italian flavoured bread crumbs * optional see below
    • 2 cloves garlic pressed
    • red pepper flakes to taste

    Instructions

    • Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
    • Cut your zucchini in half width wise. Take each half and slide lengthwise into two equal sections. Continue slicing each section into 4 wedges to create your zucchini sticks.
    • In a large bowl, add your zucchini sticks, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, spices, Parmesan and bread crumbs and stir/ toss to coat well.
    • Place your zucchini in your air fryer basket and bake for about 12 minutes, shaking half way.

    Notes

    *Oven instructions: I recommend following the recipe as is, spreading the zucchini sticks evenly on a prepared baking tray and roasting at 400 degrees F for about 30 minutes shaking the pan halfway through cooking. Tip: to get the zucchini extra crispy try broiling at the very end for a few minutes!
    *Breadcrumbs can be substituted for additional Parmesan cheese! I use Italian flavoured breadcrumbs for additional flavour however original breadcrumbs will also work.
    Tried this recipe?I love seeing my recipes in action! Don't forget to tag me @nourishedbynic or use the hashtag #nourishedbynic!

    More Vegetarian

    • berry cheesecake overnight oat close up
      Berry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
    • Lemon turmeric energy ball with a bite.
      Lemon Turmeric Energy Balls
    • Arugula quinoa salad dressed with lemon caesar vinaigrette
      Arugula Quinoa Salad with Lemon Caesar Vinaigrette
    • Blended cottage cheese bowls with a sweet and savoury option.
      Blended Cottage Cheese Bowls (2 Ways)

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Nicole Addison, RD, MHSc

    I’m Nicole, a Registered Dietitian, recipe developer and content creator on a mission to help individuals rediscover the joys of cooking with easy, accessible, healthy recipes. After years of struggling to find balance I have finally found that there is a way nourish your body while also fueling your soul.

    On my page you'll find yummy recipes, wellness tips, and even some of my favourite travel and lifestyle recommendations!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • High fiber foods including avocado and white beans.
      Beginner's Guide To Fiber (High Fiber Foods Printable List)
    • Two mango iron rich smoothies served with orange slices.
      Tropical Mango Iron Rich Smoothie
    • Vegan bean salad served with a lime slice.
      Vegan Bean Salad
    • Baked chicken with feta, veggies and lemon slices.
      Greek Inspired Baked Chicken With Feta

    Sweet Treats We're Loving

    • Plate of cheesecake frozen yogurt bars with strawberries.
      Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt Bars/Bark
    • Scooping protein ice cream made from cottage cheese.
      High Protein Ice Cream (Cottage Cheese Ice Cream)
    • Matcha white chocolate cookies on a plate.
      Matcha White Chocolate Cookies (Gluten Free)
    • Taking a spoonful of chocolate protein mug cake.
      Chocolate High Protein Mug Cake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Nourished by Nic