Cajun Zucchini Sticks (Air Fryer Recipe)
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Delicious, air fryer Cajun zucchini sticks you never have to feel guilty about eating because they are air fried, not oil fried!
Need a healthy snack that won’t ruin dinner but still hits the spot? These zucchini sticks could be the answer. And you get the added benefit of all that zucchini! Yay veggies!!
Zucchini Sticks
Regular zucchini sticks are a popular item on restaurant menus. Right there next to cheese sticks and jalapeño poppers. They are sort of a catch 22 because they are healthy vegetables, but the batter that covers them and the oil they are deep fried in, cancels out any good nutrition you would normally get from the zucchini.
Dip For Zucchini Sticks
Most restaurants will serve zucchini sticks with ranch dip. It’s delicious, but it’s not your only option. Here are some homemade ranch recipes as well as some other dips that these Cajun zucchini sticks are delicious with.
Ranch Dip For Zucchini Sticks
Other Dips For Zucchini Sticks
Breading For Zucchini Sticks
The breading for these zucchini sticks is gluten free if you purchase oat flour that is gluten free. Oats are some of the most cross contaminated grains when it comes to gluten. So if you need that, make sure it’s labeled as such.
Many people will make an actual batter for zucchini sticks. But because I made these in an air fryer, I needed a breading. Breading that would actually stick to the zucchini. So this is simply a mix of flours and spices, and it’s totally delicious!
Fried Zucchini Sticks
If you really wanted to, you could deep fry these. At the very least, you’d have gluten free zucchini sticks. But I highly recommend an air fryer. You get great texture and flavor without all that added fat.
Recipe For Zucchini Sticks In An Air Fryer
What You’ll Need
2 medium zucchini – You’ll want to cut these on the thinner side, unless you like your zucchini to be a bit al dente. In that case, just cut them in quarters. Otherwise, cut them into 8ths.
½ cup chickpea flour – This gives the zucchini stick a more toothsome crunchy flavor. It ups the crunch factor by quite a bit, so don’t skip it.
½ cup oat flour – Get gluten free if needed. Store bought is best for this so you get the finer grind. Home ground oat flour will work, but it’ll be more textured.
2 tbsp. cajun seasoning – Look for Cajun seasoning without any added sugar, or simply take a couple of minutes and make your own. This Cajun Seasoning is what I used here, and it was delicious!
1 tbsp. garlic powder – You can use garlic granules as well.
1 tsp. salt – I used pink Himalayan salt for this. Any fine to medium grind salt will work.
1 large egg – This keeps your breading on your zucchini sticks.
How To Make Cajun Zucchini Sticks
In a mixing bowl, whisk together all your breading ingredients, and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg to a well combined consistency, with a fork. Set aside.
Cut the zucchini into 8ths. These should be thing strips that are as uniform as possible for even cooking.
Set up your bread crumbs on one plate, the eggs on another plate and the zucchini on a 3rd.
Dip the zucchini pieces in the egg, and then into the breading. Note that you can place about half of the zucchini on the egg plate and rotate the entire bunch until coated. It saves time and mess on your hands, though this still gets a little messy.
Place on the air fryer tray or in an air fryer basket and spritz lightly with an oil sprayer. Set air fryer to 400 F. and cook for 12 minutes, rotating the zucchini sticks half way through. Spritz with a bit more oil if needed after turning.
Allow to cool and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
How To Store Zucchini Sticks
These will keep in the fridge for about 2 days if stored in an air-tight container. To reheat, simply place in the air fryer again for about 1 minute at 400 F.
More Healthy Zucchini Recipes
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Air Fryer Cajun Zucchini Sticks
Air Fryer Cajun Zucchini Sticks
CLICK TO WATCH THIS RECIPE IN ACTION!
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini (cut into thin strips – cut into 8ths)
- ½ cup chickpea flour
- ½ cup oat flour (gluten free if needed)
- 2 tbsp. cajun seasoning (see recipe link above for homemade)
- 1 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together all your breading ingredients, and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg to a well combined consistency, with a fork. Set aside.
- Cut the zucchini into 8ths. These should be thing strips that are as uniform as possible for even cooking.
- Set up your bread crumbs on one plate, the eggs on another plate and the zucchini on a 3rd.
- Dip the zucchini pieces in the egg, and then into the breading.
- Place on the air fryer tray or in an air fryer basket. Set air fryer to 400 F. and cook for 12 minutes, rotating the zucchini sticks half way through. Spritz with a bit more oil if needed after turning.
- Allow to cool and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
I know my daughter would love these! We are going to give it a go!
Awe the do look good, just wish I had some zucchini in the house, will have to wait till my next shopping trip.
Looks really good! Interesting twist using the chickpea and oat flour. Looks like they came out really crispy!
Anthony – Yes! The alternative flours give it a nice crunch. Hope you enjoy them!