These tender zucchini fries in crispy batter served with lemon and mint make a tasty and refreshing appetizer or summer side. With instructions to lightly fry or prepare them using an air fryer.
Course Appetizer, Side
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Deep fried zucchini, fried courgette, summer side dish, zucchini in the air fryer
Wash the zucchini then place each zucchini horizontally and slice down the middle to make two halves. Cut each half into four parts to make fries with the same thickness to allow for uniform frying.
4 medium zucchini
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg white then gently mix in the rest of the ingredients for the batter taking care not to over mix.
65 grams all purpose flour, 30 grams corn starch (corn flour), ½ teaspoon baking powder, 110 grams cold water, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 egg white
Add the zucchini to the batter and mix well to ensure they are all properly coated.
To fry
Heat oil in a skillet and when it is hot enough (see notes below), fry the battered zucchini a few minutes on each side till light brown.
vegetable oil
Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper. Then transfer to a dish, season and squeeze over the lemon juice and shredded mint leaves.
5-6 mint leaves, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt, black pepper
To air fry
Preheat the air fryer to 200℃/400℉ for 5 minutes.
Arrange the battered zucchini fries in the basket or on the shelf without overlapping them.
Cook for 6 minutes, then using a pair of tongs turn them over and cook for a further 2 minutes or till lightly browned. Do the same with the remaining zucchini spears. Season and garnish with a squeeze of lemon juice and mint.
Notes
Cut the zucchini fries to the same thickness to allow for uniform frying.
Take care not to over mix the batter. It is fine to leave it slightly lumpy.
How hot should oil be for frying - dip a wooden spoon into the oil. If bubbles form around it, the oil is hot enough to begin frying.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Fried zucchini should be eaten the same day as they become soggy over time.
To reheat or if the zucchini fries become soggy, spread them out on a baking sheet and bake in an oven at 220℃/440℉ for 8-10 minutes, turning half way through.