Stuffed Zucchini Boats in the Air Fryer
Air fryer stuffed zucchini boats are tender zucchini halves filled with a savory beef and tomato mixture, topped with melted mozzarella, and ready in about 15 minutes of cooking per batch. The air fryer softens the shells without turning them watery, and the cheese browns on top. This recipe makes 6 boats, which is enough for 3 servings, and it works with ground turkey or a meatless filling.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 52min
- Prep time
- 20min
- Servings
- 3
- Internal temp
- 160°F71 °C
- Per serving
- 330kcal
Why the air fryer works for stuffed zucchini boats
Zucchini is mostly water, so it is easy to overcook into mush. A hollowed-out zucchini boat is a better shape for the air fryer than a whole zucchini, because the thin shell softens in minutes and the open top lets the filling brown. The hot air also evaporates much of the moisture the zucchini releases, instead of letting it pool the way it can in a covered baking dish.
Pre-cooking the shells for 5 minutes makes the difference between a firm boat and a watery one. The filling is cooked in a skillet first, because ground beef needs to reach a safe temperature and browned meat tastes better. The air fryer then heats the filling through, melts the cheese and gives the top a crisp edge. This recipe is more of a dinner than a side. For a plain, seasoned side, see zucchini in the air fryer, and for a similar stuffed dish with peppers, try stuffed peppers.
How to make stuffed zucchini boats in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut the boats Halve the zucchini lengthwise. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon, leaving a shell about ¼ inch thick. Chop about ½ cup of the flesh and discard the rest or save it for soup. Brush the shells with 1 tsp oil and sprinkle with ¼ tsp of the salt.
- Cook the filling Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and onion and cook for 6 to , breaking up the meat, until no pink remains. Add the garlic, chopped zucchini, Italian seasoning, the remaining salt and pepper, and cook for . Drain any excess fat and stir in the marinara.
- Preheat and pre-cook the shells Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for . Place the shells cut side up in the basket, in batches if needed, and cook for to soften them.
- Fill Spoon the filling into the shells, mounding it slightly, and sprinkle the Parmesan over the top.
- Cook Return the filled boats to the basket and air fry for . Add the mozzarella and cook for 3 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden and the filling reaches 160 °F in the center.
- Rest Let the boats cool for , then sprinkle with basil. The shells are delicate, so lift them with a wide spatula.
Times and temperatures
| Stuffed Zucchini Boats | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Beef filling, medium zucchini5 min shells, then 6 + 3 min | 375 °F (190 °C) | 15 min |
| Large zucchini | 375 °F (190 °C) | 18–20 min |
| Ground turkey fillingCook filling to 165 °F | 375 °F (190 °C) | 15 min |
| Small acorn squashPre-cook shells first | 360 °F (180 °C) | 20–25 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 160 °F (71 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Pick medium zucchini. Zucchini about 7 to 8 inches long are tender and fit the basket. Huge ones have tough skin and large seeds.
- Use the scooped flesh. Chopped zucchini flesh adds moisture and volume to the filling, so cook it with the meat.
- Cook in batches. A 5 to 6 qt basket holds about 4 boats in one layer, so cook in two rounds and plan on about 29 minutes in total.
What to serve with stuffed zucchini boats
Serve the boats with a green salad and crusty bread, or with a side of pasta or rice. For a lighter meal, a simple side of broccoli or green beans goes well with them. Leftover filling is also good over pasta.
Storing and reheating
Cooked zucchini boats keep for 3 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the air fryer at 325 °F for 5 to 6 minutes until the filling reaches 165 °F. Freezing is not ideal, because the zucchini turns soft when thawed; you can freeze the cooked filling alone for up to 3 months.
Variations
- Turkey: Replace the beef with ground turkey, and cook the filling to 165 °F.
- Italian sausage: Use 12 oz of Italian sausage out of its casing, cooked until it reaches 160 °F.
- Vegetarian: Mix 1 cup cooked rice, 1 cup black beans and ½ cup corn with the marinara and cheese.
- Taco style: Season the beef with 1 tbsp taco seasoning, replace the marinara with salsa and top with cheddar.
If it does not turn out right
- The boats are watery
- Zucchini releases water as it cooks. Salt the shells, pre-cook them for 5 minutes and pat out any liquid with a paper towel before you fill them.
- The shells are tough
- They were too thick. Scoop until the walls are about ¼ inch thick, and use medium zucchini, not oversized ones.
- The filling is dry
- It cooked too long in the skillet. Use 85% lean beef and keep enough marinara in the mix to hold it together.
Questions and answers
How long do you air fry stuffed zucchini boats?
About 15 minutes at 375 °F per batch, made up of 5 minutes for the empty shells, 6 minutes filled and 3 minutes with the cheese. The ground meat filling should reach 160 °F.
Can you make air fryer stuffed zucchini without meat?
Yes. Use cooked rice or quinoa, black beans, corn and cheese for the filling. The cooking time stays the same without the meat.
Can you stuff other squash in the air fryer?
Yes. Small acorn squash halves need 20 to 25 minutes at 360 °F before filling because the flesh is denser. Use the same filling.
Can I make stuffed zucchini ahead?
Yes. Fill the pre-cooked shells, cover them and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 2 minutes to the filled cooking time.
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