Hollywood-Style Zucchini Fries (Air Fryer Edition)
You know those perfectly crisp, can’t-stop-eating-them zucchini fries from Cecconi’s?
The ones that somehow feel indulgent and elegant at the same time?
That’s exactly the vibe I wanted to recreate at home—Hollywood-Style, but lighter, simpler, and totally air-fried. These zucchini fries are golden and crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired with a tangy garlic aioli that makes everything feel just a little fancy ✨
This is the kind of recipe I make when I want comfort food without the heaviness—something that feels restaurant-worthy but still fits into real life.
How This Comes Together
Start by slicing the zucchini into uniform sticks—this helps everything cook evenly and crisp up just right. Set up a simple three-bowl coating station: flour, egg whites, and seasoned breadcrumbs. Each zucchini stick gets a light dusting of flour, a dip in egg, then a generous breadcrumb coating (press gently—this is where the crunch happens).
Lay the fries in a single layer in your air fryer basket, give them a light spray of oil, and let the air fryer work its magic at 400°F. Flip halfway, spray again, and watch them turn beautifully golden.
While they cook, whisk together the garlic aioli. It’s creamy, bright, and just tangy enough to balance the crisp fries. I always taste and adjust—sometimes extra lemon, sometimes a pinch of heat.
Serve everything warm, piled high, with plenty of aioli for dipping.
Hollywood-Style Zucchini Fries (Air Fryer Edition)
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Equipment
- Air fryer
- 3 shallow bowls (for dredging)
- Whisk
- tongs or clean hands
- Small Mixing Bowl for the aioli
Ingredients
Zucchini Fries
- 1-2 large zucchini cut into ½-inch sticks
- ½ cup flour (regular or gluten-free)
- 2 egg whites
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (any type; gluten-free optional)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Sea salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- Spray oil (olive or avocado oil spray)
Tangy Garlic Aioli
- ½ cup avocado-oil mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
- 1 clove garlic finely minced or grated
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (add extra for more zing!)
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 pinch cayenne or smoked paprika for a kick Optional
Instructions
Step 1 — Prep the zucchini:
- Wash and dry the zucchini, then slice into ½-inch sticks.1-2 large zucchini
Step 2 — Set up your coating station:
- Place flour in one shallow bowl. Beat the eggs in a second. In a third bowl, mix breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.2 egg whites, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, Sea salt, black pepper
Step 3 — Coat the fries:
- Dip each zucchini stick in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Gently press to help the coating stick for that crispy finish.½ cup flour, 2 egg whites
Step 4 — Air fry:
- Arrange fries in a single layer in your air fryer basket and spray lightly with oil.Spray oil
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again.
- They should be golden and crisp!
Step 5 — Make the Tangy Garlic Aioli:
- Whisk together mayo, garlic, Dijon, lemon juice, salt, and optional spices. Adjust to taste — I love mine extra tangy!½ cup avocado-oil mayonnaise, 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp fresh lemon juice, ¼ tsp sea salt, 1 pinch cayenne or smoked paprika for a kick
Step 6 — Serve and enjoy:
- Serve the zucchini fries warm with a side of aioli for dipping. Healthy comfort food at its best.
Video
More About This Recipe
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Air fryer
- Three shallow bowls (for dredging)
- Whisk
- Tongs or clean hands
- Small mixing bowl for the aioli
Cooking Tips
- Dry the zucchini well before coating—moisture is the enemy of crispiness
- Don’t overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if needed
- Extra crispy? Add a quick final spray of oil right before the last few minutes
- Make it dairy-free or gluten-free with simple swaps—this recipe is very forgiving
Nutrition
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy without deep frying – Air frying gives you that crunch with way less oil
- Veggie-forward comfort food – Light but satisfying
- Great for women over 50 – Zucchini is low-calorie, hydrating, and rich in antioxidants that support digestion and overall wellness
- Crowd-pleasing – Perfect for appetizers, game nights, or a chic side dish
Final Thoughts
These Hollywood-Style Zucchini Fries are one of those recipes that feel a little special without being complicated. They’re light, crunchy, and comforting all at once—the kind of dish you make once and immediately add to your regular rotation.
Serve them as an appetizer, a side, or honestly… just for yourself with a good movie and a big bowl of aioli on the side.