I love serving these Air Fryer Zucchini Boats because they’re easy to make, but everyone raves about them every time. The ground beef and marinara filling is rich and flavorful, and the air fryer cooks everything faster without drying out the zucchini. They’re filling and comforting but surprisingly light, making you feel good about going back for seconds.

A white oval plate with four Air Fryer Zucchini Boats, each half stuffed with a savory meat and cheese mixture, garnished with chopped herbs. — Air Fryer Zucchini Boats. Photo Credit: My Reliable Recipes

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I make this air-fried zucchini boats recipe for weeknight dinners, meal prep lunches, and summer potlucks when zucchini is everywhere, and you need easy ways to use it up. It’s family-friendly, travels well in a covered dish, and tastes great reheated. The zucchini boats stay fresh in the fridge for about 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Various labeled ingredients for Air Fryer Zucchini Boats with ground beef and mozzarella cheese are arranged on a countertop, including marinara sauce, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and parsley. — Air Fryer Zucchini Boats Ingredients. Photo Credit: My Reliable Recipes

How to Make Air Fryer Zucchini Boats with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

Let me walk you through how simple it is to make these stuffed zucchini boats in your air fryer.

Prepare the Zucchini

Using a sharp knife, slice each zucchini in half lengthwise and trim off the stems. Use a sturdy metal spoon to scoop out the center flesh, leaving about ¼ inch around the edges so you have a nice shell that won’t fall apart during cooking.

Season and Pre-Cook the Zucchini

Season the hollowed-out zucchini halves with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then arrange them in a food-grade silicone air fryer basket liner or directly in the air fryer basket. Air-fry at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes to soften slightly before adding the filling.

Brown the Ground Beef

While the zucchini pre-cooks, heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 4–5 minutes, using a meat chopper or a wooden spoon to crumble it as it browns.

You may boost with chopped vegetables, such as diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even the scooped zucchini flesh, into the beef mixture for extra nutrition, and if you want to stretch the filling further.

Add the Aromatics and Sauce

Stir in the diced onion and cook for another 4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Season with salt and pepper, then pour in the marinara sauce. Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors blend nicely.

Stuff and Top the Zucchini

Remove the zucchini from the air fryer using silicone oven mitts. Spoon the beef and sauce mixture evenly into each zucchini boat, filling them generously. Of course, you can’t forget the mozzarella cheese; sprinkle it on the tops of the filled zucchini boats.

Air Fry Until Golden

Pop the stuffed zucchini back into the air fryer and bake again for 15 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the grated cheese is melted and lightly golden on top.

Four Air Fryer Zucchini Boats, topped with savory meat sauce and melted cheese, are arranged in the basket, ready to be cooked to perfection. — Air fry for 15 minutes until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted.

Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the tops before serving; it adds a pop of color and brightness. Serve hot straight from the air fryer for the best texture and flavor. Enjoy!

If you’re bringing these to a potluck or gathering, arrange the cooked zucchini boats in a large sheet cake container with a tight-fitting lid. They travel best when kept warm, so I pack the container in an insulated carrier, which keeps them at a safe temperature for about 2 hours.

Air Fryer Zucchini Boats

Mandy I My Reliable Recipes

Air Fryer Zucchini Boats are my go-to when I want hearty comfort food that's actually good for you and ready fast. Tender zucchini halves get stuffed with seasoned ground beef and marinara, then topped with melted mozzarella that turns golden and bubbly. They're perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or using up all that summer zucchini from the garden. They stay fresh in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 441 kcal

Ingredients

4 medium zucchini
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound ground beef
½ cup onion finely diced
1 teaspoon garlic minced
2 cups marinara sauce
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh parsley for garnish
Cooking spray

Instructions

Lightly coat a large baking dish with cooking spray.
Cooking spray
Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise and trim off the stems. Use a spoon to scoop out the center flesh, leaving about ¼ inch around the edges to form a shell.
4 medium zucchini
Place the zucchini halves in the baking dish that fits your air fryer and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bake in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes to soften slightly.
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, Salt and pepper
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 4–5 minutes, crumbling it as it browns.
2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 pound ground beef
Stir in the diced onion and cook for another 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the marinara sauce, stir well, and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
½ cup onion, 1 teaspoon garlic, 2 cups marinara sauce
Remove the zucchini from the air fryer. Spoon the beef and sauce mixture evenly into each zucchini boat. Sprinkle the tops with mozzarella cheese.
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Return to the air fryer and bake again for 15 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy warm!
Fresh parsley

Notes

Here are my best tips for making perfect Air Fryer Zucchini Boats every time.

Don’t skip the pre-cook step: Air frying the hollowed zucchini for 5 minutes before stuffing helps soften them just enough so they finish cooking at the same time as the cheese melts.

Save the scooped flesh: You can chop up the zucchini flesh you scooped out and stir it into the beef mixture for extra vegetables and to stretch the filling further.

Drain excess grease: After browning the ground beef, tilt the skillet and spoon out any excess grease before adding the onions so the filling doesn’t turn greasy.

Watch for drips: Place a piece of parchment paper, foil, or an air fryer liner in the bottom of your air fryer basket before adding the zucchini boats to catch any marinara or cheese that might drip during cooking and make cleanup easier.

Let them rest: Allow the zucchini boats to sit for 3–4 minutes after air frying so the cheese sets slightly and they’re easier to transfer to plates without falling apart.

Flash-freeze for meal prep: Freeze the stuffed boats on a baking sheet for 2 hours, then transfer to containers so they don’t stick together. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the air fryer or oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 441kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 28gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 805mgPotassium: 1233mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1069IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 185mgIron: 4mg

Keyword Air Fryer Zucchini Boats

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How to Store Leftovers

Let the zucchini boats cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or in the oven until warmed through.

For longer storage, flash-freeze them in a single layer on a freezer-safe sheet pan for about 2 hours until frozen solid, or wrap each boat individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and add the garnish fresh.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Zucchini Boats

Serve these with a dollop of sour cream or a simple green salad tossed in balsamic vinaigrette and some crusty garlic bread for soaking up any extra marinara sauce. Roasted vegetables like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or grilled asparagus make perfect low-carb sides that keep the meal light and fresh.

If you want it to be more filling, serve these with pasta or rice on the side. A Caesar salad or Caprese salad pairs really well too, especially in summer when tomatoes and basil are at their peak. It makes the whole meal feel special without any extra work.

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Air Fryer Zucchini Boats

Ingredients You’ll Need