22-Minute Air Fryer Pizza-Stuffed Zucchini Boats: Low-Carb Bliss

Oh my gosh, if you’re craving pizza but trying to keep it low-carb, I’ve got your back! These air fryer pizza-stuffed zucchini boats have saved so many of my weeknights – they’re ready in under 30 minutes and taste like everything you love about pizza without the carb crash. I used to think “healthy” meant boring, but when my sister challenged me to a low-carb month last summer, I discovered these little flavor bombs. The zucchini gets perfectly tender in the air fryer while the cheese turns gloriously bubbly. Trust me, even the pickiest eaters at my table gobble these up!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Pizza-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Okay, let me tell you why these zucchini boats became my go-to weeknight hero:

• Low-carb magic: All the pizza flavors you crave with just 8g net carbs per boat – my jeans thank me later
• Crazy quick: From fridge to table in 22 minutes flat (I timed it during naptime chaos)
• Totally customizable: Swap pepperoni for mushrooms, add olives – it’s your pizza party!
• Kid-approved: My 5-year-old calls them “pizza canoes” and always asks for seconds
• Air fryer perfection: That crispy-edged cheese and tender zucchini? Only an air fryer delivers this texture

These disappeared so fast last time I made them, my husband didn’t even get one – lesson learned, double the batch!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Pizza-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Here’s what you’ll need to make these cheesy wonders – and trust me, every ingredient pulls its weight:

• 2 medium zucchinis (look for firm ones about 7-8 inches long – they make the sturdiest boats)
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce (my secret? Rao’s Homemade – that stuff makes all the difference)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (pack it in the measuring cup for maximum cheesiness)
• 1/4 cup pepperoni slices (or turkey pepperoni if you’re watching calories)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (shake it right from the jar like you mean it)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (just enough to make those zucchini halves glisten)
• Salt and pepper (don’t skip seasoning the boats – it’s the flavor foundation!)

Psst – dairy-free? Swap in your favorite plant-based cheese. Vegetarian? Ditch the pepperoni for roasted red peppers. This recipe loves adaptations!

How to Make Air Fryer Pizza-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Alright, let’s get these pizza boats sailing! The process couldn’t be simpler, but I’ve learned a few tricks over dozens of batches that’ll guarantee perfect results every time.

Step 1: Prep the Zucchini

First things first – grab those zucchinis and slice them lengthwise. I like to trim just a sliver off the bottoms so they sit flat (no wobbly boats!). Now for the fun part – scooping! Use a spoon to gently remove the centers, leaving about 1/4-inch thick “walls.” Pro tip: Don’t get greedy scooping – too thin and your boats might crack under all that cheesy goodness. Brush the insides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. This little step makes all the difference!

Step 2: Assemble the Pizza Boats

Time to load ’em up! Spread about 1 tablespoon marinara in each zucchini half – enough to coat but not so much it gets soupy. Next comes the cheese! I like to press the shredded mozzarella lightly into the sauce so it sticks. Now arrange those pepperoni slices like little edible roof shingles. Finish with a generous sprinkle of Italian seasoning. If you’re feeling fancy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat!

Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection

Here’s where the magic happens! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F – trust me, skipping this leads to uneven cooking. Arrange the boats in a single layer (no stacking or they’ll steam instead of crisp up). Cook for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is gloriously bubbly with those perfect golden spots. Peek at 10 minutes – some air fryers run hotter than others. The zucchini should be tender when pierced with a fork but still hold its shape. That first bite of crispy-edged cheese? Absolute heaven!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Zucchini Boats

After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), here are my foolproof tricks for zucchini boat success:

• Pat those zucchinis dry! After scooping, blot with paper towels – extra moisture makes soggy boats
• Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded (those anti-caking agents can make it grainy)
• Rotate halfway if your air fryer has hot spots – I give mine a 180° turn at 6 minutes
• Want crispier cheese? Add 1-2 minutes but watch closely – it goes from golden to burnt fast!

Oh! And if your air fryer basket is small like mine, cook in batches. Crowding leads to steamed, not crispy, perfection.

Variations for Your Pizza-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

The beauty of these zucchini boats? You can dress them up however you like! Here are my favorite ways to shake things up when I’m feeling creative (or just cleaning out the fridge):

• Veggie Lover’s Dream: Swap pepperoni for sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and black olives – my garden haul special!
• BBQ Chicken Twist: Use BBQ sauce instead of marinara, top with shredded rotisserie chicken and red onions – tastes like summer
• Keto Supreme: Skip the marinara (carbs sneak in there), double the cheese, and load up with bacon and jalapeños – my low-carb friends go nuts for this version

Seriously, once you master the basic recipe, the topping possibilities are endless. My neighbor even tried a “breakfast pizza” version with scrambled eggs and sausage – weird but weirdly delicious!

Serving Suggestions

These zucchini boats shine all on their own, but oh boy, do they play well with others! I love serving them with a crisp Caesar salad – the cool crunch is perfect against the warm, cheesy boats. For carb-lovers at my table, garlic bread (toasted in the air fryer, of course!) makes everyone happy. Keto friends? Pair with roasted mushrooms or a creamy avocado salad. My gluten-free sister adores them with roasted Brussels sprouts – just drizzle everything with balsamic and call it a party!

Storage and Reheating

Here’s the good news – if you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house!), these zucchini boats keep beautifully! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When reheating, skip the microwave – that’ll make them soggy. Instead, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until the cheese gets melty again. Pro tip: If they seem dry, add a tiny drizzle of olive oil before reheating. The texture won’t be quite as perfect as fresh, but that crispy cheese still hits the spot!

Nutritional Information

Okay, let’s talk numbers – but remember, these are estimates based on my exact ingredients (and let’s be real, I might sneak an extra pepperoni slice or two!). Here’s the breakdown per zucchini boat:

• 150 calories – practically guilt-free pizza vibes!
• 10g fat – hello, delicious mozzarella and olive oil
• 8g carbs – with 2g fiber, so just 6g net carbs
• 7g protein – not bad for a veggie-based meal!

Your exact numbers might dance around a bit depending on your cheese brand, zucchini size, or how generous you are with toppings. I once calculated my “everything but the kitchen sink” version at 180 calories – still way better than delivery pizza! For precise counts, plug your specific ingredients into a nutrition calculator. But honestly? When something tastes this good and keeps me full for hours, I’m not stressing over a few calories here or there.

FAQs About Air Fryer Pizza-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

I get so many questions about these zucchini boats – let me answer the ones that pop up most often from readers and my friends who’ve tried the recipe!

Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer?
Absolutely! Just pop them on a baking sheet at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes. They won’t get quite as crispy, but still delicious. My oven version always needs a quick broil at the end for that perfect bubbly cheese.

Are they freezer-friendly?
Honestly? Not really. The zucchini gets watery when thawed. But here’s my trick – prep the raw stuffed boats and refrigerate up to 24 hours before air frying. Perfect for meal prep without the freezer texture issues!

What’s the best zucchini size?
Medium zucchinis about 7-8 inches long are ideal – big enough to hold toppings but not so huge they’re watery. Avoid those baseball bat-sized ones (we’ve all seen them!) or tiny baby zucchinis that can’t hold toppings.

Can I make these ahead for parties?
You bet! Prep them completely (through step 2), cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 6 hours before air frying. Add 1-2 extra minutes since they’ll start cold. My go-to appetizer for last-minute guests!

Ready to Make These Zucchini Boats?

Alright, friend – you’ve got all my best tips and tricks for these pizza-stuffed zucchini boats! Now it’s your turn to make magic happen in your air fryer. I can practically smell that melty mozzarella already. When you try them (and you totally should tonight!), snap a pic and tag me – I love seeing your cheesy creations! Leave a rating if you’re feeling generous – your feedback helps other home cooks discover this recipe. Most importantly? Enjoy every bite of that crispy, cheesy goodness. Happy air frying!

For more delicious recipes and inspiration, check out my Pinterest page!

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