Try these loaded zucchini bites if you are looking for an appetizer that’s both healthy and irresistible! Each zucchini slice gets topped with melted cheese and crispy bacon bits, creating bite-sized pieces that taste like loaded potato skins without any of the guilt.
I first made this recipe for a summer gathering when I wanted something lighter than my usual bacon-wrapped everything, but still needed crowd-pleasing appeal. Watching people reach for seconds and thirds while asking “wait, these are healthy?” confirmed I’d found the perfect balance between virtuous and delicious.
I love how these satisfy that loaded comfort food craving while sneaking in vegetables. The zucchini becomes tender and almost creamy when air-fried, creating the perfect base for all those toppings. You get a satisfying combination of textures with each bite: soft zucchini, melted cheese, and crispy bacon, without the heavy feeling that usually follows appetizers.
If you’re worried about zucchini being too dull, this recipe transforms it completely. Air frying concentrates the flavor, and the toppings add plenty of savory punch. Even vegetable-resistant guests forget they’re eating something green.
I’ll show you the simple steps to make these loaded zucchini bites. Whether you’re drowning in garden zucchini or just looking for a healthier snack option, you will love this easy recipe.
Looking for more air fryer party bites? Try air fryer onion rings, pickle egg rolls, or honey garlic wings.
Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Zucchini
- Cooked bacon
- Sliced cheese
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Jalapeño
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make Air Fryer Zucchini Bites
- Slice the zucchini into ¼-inch rounds. You want them thick enough to hold the toppings but thin enough to cook quickly.
- Prep your toppings next. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the jalapeños (wear gloves for this!), cut your cheese slices into quarters, and crumble the bacon. Having everything ready makes assembly super quick.
- Arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed.
- Give them a light spray with oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Air fry at 350 degrees F for 2 minutes.
- Pull out the basket and add the cheese, tomatoes, jalapeños, and bacon to each slice. Put the cheese down first so it melts and helps hold the other toppings in place.
- Put the basket back in for another 2 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Serving Ideas
These loaded zucchini bites are fabulous as a game day appetizer, but they’re equally perfect as a low-carb side dish with dinner.
Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:
- Serve them with ranch dip at your next gathering.
- They make a great light lunch paired with a fresh green salad.
- Have them as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish.
- Make them an after-school snack, because adding bacon and cheese makes my kids much more likely to eat veggies!
If you’re serving these at a party, you can keep them warm by placing them in an oven set to 170 degrees F until ready to serve. Just don’t leave them in there too long, or they’ll get soggy.
How to Store
These zucchini bites are best enjoyed fresh and hot right out of the air fryer when the cheese is melty. But if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Layer them with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover zucchini bites, put them back in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 1-2 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, because they’ll get mushy.
Tips & Tricks
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Keep those zucchini slices as close to ¼ inch thick as possible.
- Before placing your zucchini slices in the air fryer, give them a quick pat with paper towels. This removes excess moisture and helps them crisp up a bit.
- A light coating of oil spray helps the seasonings stick and promotes even browning.
- Give those zucchini slices some breathing room! They cook so fast that it is easy to make multiple batches.
- While the recipe calls for cheddar, you can experiment with other cheeses. Using sliced cheese is less messy than shredded cheese in this recipe.
Reader Questions
While these are best served fresh and hot, you can prep the components ahead of time. Slice your zucchini, tomatoes, and jalapeños and store them separately in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Absolutely! The jalapeños add a nice kick, but you can easily omit them or substitute with mild bell peppers. I often make half of these without jalapeños.
Regular tomatoes work fine – dice them into small pieces. Roma tomatoes are my go-to substitute when I’m out of cherry tomatoes.
Sure! Just make sure to cook it until crispy before crumbling.
The zucchini should be tender but not mushy, and the cheese should have melted. The edges might have a slight golden color. Keep an eye on them the first time you make them, since air fryers can vary.
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Air Fryer Loaded Zucchini Bites
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini
- 2 slices cooked bacon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 1 jalapeños sliced
Instructions
- Slice each zucchini into rounds, each ¼ inch thick.
- Cut each cherry tomato in half and dice the jalapeños. Cut each cheese slice into quarters and crumble the bacon.
- Place zucchini slices in the air fryer basket so that they are not overlapping.2 zucchini
- Spray them with oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Air fry at 350 degrees F for 2 minutes.
- Pull out the basket and top each slice with the cheese, tomato, jalapeño slices, and bacon bits.6 slices cheddar cheese, 12 cherry tomatoes, 1 jalapeños, 2 slices cooked bacon
- Air fry for another 2 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Notes
- Keep those zucchini slices as close to ¼ inch thick as possible.
- Before placing your zucchini slices in the air fryer, give them a quick pat with paper towels. This removes excess moisture and helps them crisp up a bit.
- A light coating of oil spray helps the seasonings stick and promotes even browning.
- Give those zucchini slices some breathing room! They cook so fast that it is easy to make multiple batches.
- While the recipe calls for cheddar, you can experiment with other cheeses. Using sliced cheese is less messy than shredded cheese in this recipe.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
