If you’re craving pizza but want something lighter, these Air Fryer Zucchini Boats (Pizza Style) are the perfect solution. They deliver all the classic pizza flavors you love—savory sauce, gooey melted cheese, and tasty toppings—without the heavy crust. Using fresh zucchini as the base makes this recipe a fun, wholesome alternative that still feels indulgent.
One of the best things about this recipe is how quickly it comes together. In just about 20 minutes, you can have a delicious lunch, snack, or easy weeknight dinner on the table. The air fryer cooks the zucchini until tender while giving the cheese a bubbly golden finish, making every bite satisfying and flavorful.
These pizza zucchini boats are also incredibly versatile. Keep it classic with pepperoni and mozzarella, load them up with colorful vegetables, or make them spicy with jalapeños and red pepper flakes. They’re great for using up ingredients already in your fridge, so you can customize them for everyone at the table.
Whether you’re following a low-carb lifestyle, trying to eat more vegetables, or simply looking for a creative air fryer recipe, these Air Fryer Zucchini Boats (Pizza Style) are sure to become a repeat favorite. Serve them as an appetizer, side dish, or main meal for a crowd-pleasing recipe everyone will love.
Print
Air Fryer Zucchini Boats (Pizza Style)
These Air Fryer Zucchini Boats (Pizza Style) are a quick, low-carb twist on pizza night. Fresh zucchini halves are hollowed out, filled with savory marinara sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings, then air fried until perfectly tender and bubbly. They’re fun to make, family-friendly, and ready in under 20 minutes.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (2 zucchini halves per serving) 1x
Ingredients
4 medium zucchini
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup mini pepperoni slices
2 tablespoons sliced black olives (optional)
2 tablespoons diced bell peppers (optional)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
Wash zucchini and slice each one lengthwise.
Use a spoon to scoop out the center flesh, creating “boats.”
Brush zucchini with olive oil and season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
Place zucchini boats in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Spoon marinara sauce into each zucchini half.
Top with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, and Parmesan.
Air fry for 8–10 minutes until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
Cooking Tips
- Avoid over-scooping the zucchini so they stay sturdy.
- Pat zucchini dry before filling to reduce moisture.
- Cook in batches if needed so the air fryer basket isn’t overcrowded.
- For crispier tops, add extra cheese during the last 2 minutes.
Variations
- Meat Lovers: Add cooked sausage, bacon bits, and ham.
- Veggie Supreme: Use mushrooms, onions, spinach, and peppers.
- Spicy Style: Add jalapeños and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Cheesy Deluxe: Mix mozzarella with provolone or cheddar.
- Keto Option: Use sugar-free pizza sauce and extra cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
