Air Fryer Zucchini & Cheese Casserole
A gooey, cheesy baked zucchini dish with a crispy exterior, made in the air fryer. This italian-inspired air fryer ready in about 30 minutes pairs medium, sliced zucchini, cubed mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 medium, sliced zucchini
- 1 cup, cubed mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 whole egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Toss zucchini slices with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with garlic powder, oregano, and salt. Place in air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes, shaking halfway, until tender and slightly golden.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix mozzarella, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, and 1/2 tsp salt. Spread half the zucchini slices in the air fryer basket, top with half the cheese mixture, then repeat with remaining zucchini and cheese.
- Step 3: Air fry for 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Air Fryer Zucchini & Cheese Casserole take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Air Fryer Zucchini & Cheese Casserole?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, sliced zucchini from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Air Fryer Zucchini & Cheese Casserole?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Air Fryer Zucchini & Cheese Casserole for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Air Fryer Zucchini & Cheese Casserole?
Italian air fryer like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
