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Learning how to cook courgettes in an air fryer is one of the easiest kitchen wins you can ask for.
You get tender, golden, slightly caramelized courgette slices in a fraction of the time it takes to roast them in a big oven.
Whether you call them courgettes or zucchini, the air fryer will turn them into a delicious side dish, snack, or add-in for pasta, salads, and grain bowls.
If you’ve been wondering how to cook courgettes in an air fryer without turning them into a soggy mess, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to cook courgettes in an air fryer step by step, plus seasoning ideas, common mistakes, and tips for getting the best texture every single time.
How to Cook Courgettes in an Air Fryer
The short answer is that you cook courgettes in an air fryer by slicing them, tossing them with a little oil and seasoning, then air frying at around 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
That’s the whole method in one sentence, and it works beautifully for coins, sticks, halves, and even whole baby courgettes.
Let’s break down each part so you can cook courgettes in an air fryer like a pro.
1. Prep and Slice Your Courgettes
Start by washing your courgettes and patting them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
Moisture is the number one enemy when you cook courgettes in an air fryer because wet slices steam instead of roast.
Trim the ends, then slice into 1/4-inch coins, half-moons, or spears, depending on what you’re serving.
If your courgettes are large with big watery seeds, scoop out the seedy center first so they don’t turn mushy.
Keep your pieces roughly the same size so everything cooks evenly when you cook courgettes in the air fryer.
2. Toss With Oil and Seasoning
Add the courgette pieces to a bowl and drizzle with about one tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil.
Toss until every piece has a light, even coating, because the oil helps them brown and keeps them from sticking.
Season simply with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a pinch of paprika or Italian herbs.
For extra flavor when you cook courgettes in an air fryer, add grated parmesan, nutritional yeast, or a squeeze of lemon after cooking.
Just don’t overdo the liquid seasonings like soy sauce, since too much moisture will undo all your crisping efforts.
3. Arrange in a Single Layer
Place the seasoned courgettes in the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between each piece.
If you pile them up, they’ll steam and come out limp instead of golden, so cook in batches if you have a small basket.
This single-layer rule is probably the most important tip for how to cook courgettes in an air fryer that actually taste roasted.
A quick spray of oil on the basket liner can help too, but it’s usually not necessary if your basket is non-stick.
4. Air Fry at the Right Temperature
Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the courgettes for 10 to 15 minutes.
Shake the basket or flip the pieces with tongs at the halfway mark so they brown evenly on all sides.
Thinner coins might be done in 8 to 10 minutes, while thicker spears can take up to 15 minutes.
When you cook courgettes in an air fryer, keep an eye on them near the end because they can go from perfectly golden to charred quickly.
They’re ready when the edges are browned and the centers are tender but not falling apart.
5. Serve Them While They’re Hot
Transfer your air-fried courgettes to a serving plate and finish with flaky salt, cracked pepper, and fresh herbs.
They’re fantastic alongside grilled chicken, fish, steak, or folded into warm pasta with a little extra olive oil.
If you’re meal prepping, keep in mind that courgettes are best fresh, though leftovers reheat okay in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
Honestly, once you know how to cook courgettes in an air fryer, you’ll make them at least once a week.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Cook Courgettes in an Air Fryer
Even though the process is simple, a few small habits can ruin your results when you cook courgettes in an air fryer.
1. Skipping the Drying Step
If your courgettes are still wet from washing, they’ll never crisp up properly.
Dry them thoroughly before seasoning so the oil actually clings to the surface.
2. Using Too Much Oil
A little oil goes a long way, and drowning the slices makes them greasy and soft.
One tablespoon for two medium courgettes is plenty when you cook courgettes in an air fryer.
3. Crowding the Basket
Overfilling traps steam and turns your courgettes into a soggy pile.
Cook in batches and give every piece room to breathe.
So, How Do You Cook Courgettes in an Air Fryer?
You cook courgettes in an air fryer by slicing them, drying them well, tossing with a little oil and seasoning, and air frying at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
It’s fast, it’s easy, and it gives you golden, tender courgettes with almost no cleanup.
Avoid the common mistakes like wet slices, too much oil, and a crowded basket, and you’ll get perfect results every time.
Now that you know how to cook courgettes in an air fryer, grab a couple of courgettes and give this method a try tonight.