Go Back
–+ servings
Air Fryer Stuffed Zucchini Boats served on a plate

Air Fryer Stuffed Zucchini Boats

No ratings yet
Air Fryer Stuffed Zucchini Boats are packed with ground meat, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella inside hollowed zucchini halves. The air fryer crisps the edges while keeping the filling tender, delivering a complete weeknight meal quickly and easily.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium zucchini cut in half lengthwise and hollowed, salt to draw moisture
  • 1 teaspoon salt for salting zucchini
  • 1 lb ground beef can substitute ground turkey or chicken with added olive oil
  • 0.5 cup tomato sauce plain tomato sauce
  • 0.33 cup breadcrumbs plain fine breadcrumbs, not panko
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded from a block
  • 0.25 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 0.5 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning dried herbs

Equipment

  • Air fryer Used to cook the stuffed zucchini boats and crisp edges
  • Skillet For sautéing onion, garlic, and ground meat
  • Wooden spoon To break up meat while cooking
  • Spoon To scoop out zucchini flesh

Method
 

  1. Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the center flesh leaving a ¼-inch border. Sprinkle cut sides with salt and set on paper towels for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat completely dry with fresh towels.
    4 medium zucchini, 1 tsp salt
  2. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook diced onion for 3 minutes until soft, then add garlic and ground meat. Break meat into small pieces and cook 5-7 minutes until no pink remains. Stir in tomato sauce, breadcrumbs, and Italian seasoning.
    1 tbsp olive oil, 0.5 medium onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 lb ground beef, 0.5 cup tomato sauce, 0.33 cup breadcrumbs, 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  3. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
  4. Divide the meat filling evenly among the hollowed zucchini halves. Pack gently without overfilling; filling should be level with edges.
    4 medium zucchini, 1 lb ground beef, 0.5 cup tomato sauce, 0.33 cup breadcrumbs, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 0.25 cup parmesan cheese
  5. Arrange 4 stuffed zucchini boats in the air fryer basket spacing them 1 inch apart to allow airflow. Cook for 8 minutes.
    4 medium zucchini
  6. Carefully flip each zucchini boat using tongs. Cook for 5 minutes on the other side.
    4 medium zucchini
  7. Top each boat with shredded mozzarella cheese and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
    1 cup mozzarella cheese
  8. Remove zucchini boats from air fryer and let rest for 3 minutes before serving. The zucchini should be tender but hold its shape, with bubbly golden cheese on top.

Notes

  • Salt zucchini halves for exactly 10 minutes and pat dry to avoid soggy boats.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; leave 1 inch between boats for even cooking.
  • Sauté the meat filling first to ensure fully cooked and flavorful filling before air frying.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!