Air Fryer Cucumber chips are crispy, light, and incredibly addictive. Made with fresh cucumber slices, flour, egg, breadcrumbs, and a quick spin in the
You know that one ingredient in your fridge that you buy with good intentions but never really know what to do with? For me, it’s cucumbers. Every. Single. Time.
I buy them thinking, “I’ll totally eat these in a salad this week.” And then, surprise, they sit there—getting that weird waxy film—until I end up panic-chopping them into some sad attempt at a “healthy snack.”
But one day, I was feeling reckless. I had the
Imagine crunchy, golden bites with a soft, juicy center—like a cross between zucchini chips and fried pickles but somehow… fresher? I dipped them in ranch (because, obviously), took a bite, and my brain just went, “Why have I been sleeping on this?”
Now, every time I have a cucumber about to hit its expiration date, it’s air fryer time. It’s kinda my go-to snack now—and honestly, it’s borderline dangerous how easy they are to make.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Cucumber Recipe?
Let me sell you on this—because I get it. Air-fried cucumbers sound…odd. But trust me:
- Crunch without the deep-fry guilt. That golden, crispy texture? All thanks to the
air fryer —no messy oil splatters required. - Ridiculously easy. Minimal prep, 8-minute cook time, and you’re snacking.
- Versatile AF. Snack ‘em, dunk ‘em, toss ‘em on salads—they do it all.
- A sneaky way to eat more veggies. Seriously, even my “veggies are gross” nephew loved these.
- Perfect for using up that last lonely cucumber. Because, let’s be real, you’ve probably got one in the fridge right now.
Ingredient Notes:
One of my favorite things about this recipe? It uses stuff you’ve probably already got sitting in your kitchen.
The Main Players:
- 1 cucumber – Regular works fine, but if you have an English cucumber, even better (less seedy, more crunch).
- ¼ cup flour – Helps the egg cling to the cucumbers. Want more flavor? Toss in some garlic powder or paprika.
- 1 egg – The sticky glue that makes the breadcrumbs hang on.
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs – Brings that seasoned, crunchy coating. Panko breadcrumbs work if you want max crunch.
- Salt & pepper – Because flavor always matters.
- Olive oil spray – Helps the breadcrumbs get that golden crisp in the
air fryer .
Optional Add-Ins: Feeling fancy? Add Parmesan to the breadcrumbs. Want some heat? Sprinkle in some cayenne.
How To Make Air Fryer Cucumber?
This recipe’s as easy as it gets. No fancy gadgets, no complicated techniques—just you, some cucumbers, and your trusty
Step 1. Slice & Dry Those Cucumbers
First things first: slice your cucumber into ¼-inch rounds. Not too thin (they’ll burn), not too thick (they’ll stay soggy). Goldilocks it.
Next, lay the slices out on a paper towel and pat them dry. Seriously, don’t skip this step—moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
Step 2. Set Up the Dipping Line
It’s dredging station time. You’ll need three shallow bowls:
- Flour – This is step one in the breading process.
- Egg – Whisk it until smooth.
- Breadcrumbs – Seasoned, flavorful, and ready to crisp.
Now, go down the line: dip the cucumber slices in flour (shake off excess), dunk them in egg, and finally, coat them in breadcrumbs. It’s basically arts and crafts—but tastier.
Step 3. Preheat That
Want To Save This Recipe?
Set your
Lay the breaded cucumber slices in a single layer in the basket. Give the tops a light mist of olive oil spray, too—because golden and crispy is the goal here.
Step 4. Let the
Air fry the cucumber slices for about 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Pro tip: if you want them extra crispy, hit them with another olive oil spray about 2 minutes before they’re done.
They’re ready when the breadcrumbs are golden and the cucumbers have that perfect balance of crispy outside and soft inside.
Step 5. Snack Time!
Let them cool for a minute or two (if you can wait that long), then dig in. Dip them in ranch, tzatziki, or even spicy mayo. Or, if you’re like me, eat them plain right out of the
Storage Options:
Though, fair warning—there probably won’t be any.
- Fridge: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. They’ll lose some crispiness, but they’re still tasty.
- Reheat: Toss them back in the
air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to bring back the crunch. - Freezer? Hard pass. Cucumbers + freezer = soggy disaster.
Variations and Substitutions:
The cool thing about this recipe? It’s super flexible. Here’s how to change it up:
- Go spicy: Add chili flakes or cayenne to the breadcrumbs.
- Make it cheesy: Toss some grated Parmesan into the breadcrumb mix.
- Go gluten-free: Use almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Swap the veggie: Zucchini, pickles, even thin eggplant slices work great here.
- Sweet twist: Air fry plain cucumber slices, then dust them with cinnamon sugar. It sounds weird, but trust me—so good.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Cucumber?
They’re great on their own, but here are some pairing ideas if you want to turn them into a full-on meal:
- Dip ‘em: Ranch, hummus, tzatziki, or spicy aioli.
- Top a salad: They add an amazing crunch to leafy greens.
- Serve as a side: Perfect next to a sandwich, burger, or wrap.
- Add to a snack board: Throw them in with some cheese, nuts, and fruit for the ultimate grazing platter.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I really need to dry the cucumbers first?
YES. Moisture is the enemy of crispy. Give them a good pat-down, and your future self will thank you.
Can I bake these if I don’t have an
You bet. Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be quite as crispy as the
Can I use other veggies for this?
Absolutely. Zucchini is a popular swap, and pickles work great too (hello, homemade fried pickles). Even thinly sliced eggplant holds up well.
And there you have it—Air Fryer Cucumber chips that are crispy, snackable, and seriously addictive. It’s the snack you didn’t know you needed, but now probably can’t live without.
Give them a try and let me know—are you a ranch dipper, or do you go rogue with something spicy? Share your spin in the comments. I’m always here for snack talk.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Air Fryer Cucumber
Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber – sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour – for coating
- 1 large egg – whisked
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs – for a seasoned crispy coating
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- Olive oil spray – for air frying
Instructions
Prepare the Cucumber:
- Begin by slicing the cucumber into uniform ¼-inch rounds. Place the slices on paper towels and pat them dry thoroughly to remove excess moisture. This ensures a crispier texture once air-fried.
Set Up Breading Stations:
- Arrange three shallow bowls for the breading process. In the first bowl, place the all-purpose flour seasoned with a light pinch of salt and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk the egg until smooth. In the third bowl, add the Italian-style breadcrumbs.
Coat the Cucumber Slices:
- Working one slice at a time, dredge each cucumber round in the seasoned flour, ensuring it is lightly coated. Dip it into the whisked egg, allowing excess to drip off, and then press it into the breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating.
Preheat the Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for approximately 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Air Fry the Cucumbers:
- Arrange the breaded cucumber slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil to promote even browning. Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through cooking. For a crispier texture, apply an additional spray of olive oil after flipping.
Serve:
- Once golden and crispy, remove the cucumber chips from the air fryer. Allow them to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your preferred dipping sauce, such as ranch or tzatziki.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
