Air fryer crisscross zucchini is inspired by the famous Thomas Keller zucchini recipe where the zucchini is cut with a crisscross pattern. This results in a visually impressive zucchini that has a nice roasted texture and soft interior.
Recently I saw a photo of some zucchini the famous chef, Thomas Keller, made where he cut the zucchini with a crisscross pattern and then seared in in a skillet before roasting it in the oven. It looked gorgeous and tasty, and I knew I needed to try making an air fryer version.
One of the great parts about cooking crisscross zucchini in the air fryer is that it's so easy and hands off. No need to sear and roast in the oven like you would the traditional way of making this Thomas Keller zucchini.
And of course, I hate turning on my oven in the summer. It's over 100 degrees here in Texas, and I'm not trying to add extra heat to my house by heating up an entire oven. Luckily, the air fryer helps me roast this crisscross zucchini without the oven.
Ingredients
- Zucchini
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
Recipe notes
- All air fryers cook differently. Watch carefully to make sure your zucchini gets nicely roasted, but not burned.
- Do not skip the step where you salt the zucchini, let rest, and pat dry with paper towels. This will help draw some of the moisture out of the zucchini, helping it to roast better.
How to make crisscross zucchini in the air fryer
Take zucchinis and slice in half length wise.
With a sharp knife, make a criss-cross pattern on the zucchini. You want to cut into the surface, but not all the way through the zucchini.
After slicing the zucchini, sprinkle salt over the surface of the zucchinis, then place face down on a paper towel. This will help draw out excess moisture from the zucchini.
Leave for 20-25 minutes, then flip over. Drizzle the surface of the zucchini with olive oil and rub into the zucchini.
Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes, then add zucchini. Cook at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked to desired level of doneness.
Zucchini should be roasted, but not burned.
Plate as desired and enjoy! I topped mine with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice, basil leaves, and some crushed red pepper flakes.
Customization and topping ideas
- Top with feta or parmesan cheese
- Drizzle with preserved lemon vinaigrette
- Top with a mixture of fresh tomatoes (chopped), feta, and olives, mixed with sherry vinegar and olive oil
- Serve over whipped lemon ricotta or spicy feta dip
- Top with calabrian chili butter or harissa butter
What to serve with the zucchini
This zucchini is delicious as a side dish! Here are some serving ideas.
Air fryer main dishes - air fryer mediterranean salmon, air fryer blackened salmon, air fryer maple dijon salmon, air fryer pesto salmon, air fryer crispy chicken thighs, air fryer lemon chicken thighs
Other main dishes - peri-peri salmon, ras el hanout chicken, calabrian chicken, harissa honey chicken
Who is Thomas Keller?
If you aren't sure who Thomas Keller is, he is the chef at the French Laundry, which is a famous restaurant in the Napa Valley area of California.
He has won a lot of awards for his cooking, has multiple restaurants, and has put out several cookbooks including The French Laundry Cookbook.
Air Fryer Zucchini Recipes
- Air Fryer Zucchini
- Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
- Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini
- Air Fryer Za'atar Zucchini
- Air Fryer Hasselback Zucchini
- Air Fryer Lemon Zucchini
- Air Fryer Garlic Herb Zucchini
- Air Fryer Squash Blossoms
Recipes to love
Air Fryer Crisscross Zucchini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Cut each of the zucchini in half lengthwise. Then, cut a crisscross pattern into the face of each of the slices using a sharp knife.
- Salt the faces of the zucchini to draw out excess moisture, then lay face down on paper towels for 20-25 minutes.
- Flip the zucchini over, and drizzle olive over onto the face of each zucchini. Rub into the surface. Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and pepper onto the zucchini.
- Place in the air fryer face up and air fry for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees F until browned.
Notes
- All air fryers cook differently. Watch carefully to make sure your zucchini gets nicely roasted, but not burned.
- Do not skip the step where you salt the zucchini, let rest, and pat dry with paper towels. This will help draw some of the moisture out of the zucchini, helping it to roast better.
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.
Christine
At what temperature do you set the air fryer?
Aimee
Great question, I just updated the recipe to add in that very important detail! It's 400 degrees F.