1. Prepare the Zucchini: Begin by washing your zucchini thoroughly. Trim off both ends, then cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Now, cut each half into fry-shaped sticks, aiming for pieces about 3-4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Try to keep the size consistent so they cook evenly. If your zucchini is particularly watery, you can lay the cut sticks on paper towels and gently blot them to remove excess moisture; this helps with crispiness.

2. Set Up Your Breading Stations: You’ll need three shallow dishes or bowls. In the first dish, place the all-purpose flour. In the second dish, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined; this is your egg wash. In the third dish, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients together until they are evenly mixed.

3. Coat the Zucchini Sticks: Take a few zucchini sticks at a time and first dredge them in the flour, ensuring they are lightly coated on all sides. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dip the floured zucchini sticks into the egg wash, making sure they are fully coated. Let any excess egg wash drip off. Finally, transfer the zucchini sticks to the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well to all surfaces. Place the coated zucchini sticks on a clean plate or baking sheet as you finish them. Repeat this process until all zucchini sticks are coated.

4. Preheat the Air Fryer: While you’re coating the zucchini, preheat your air fryer to 375 F (190 C) for about 3-5 minutes. Preheating helps ensure even cooking and a crispier exterior.

5. Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the coated zucchini fries in a single layer in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Overcrowding will steam the fries instead of crisping them, so cook in batches if necessary. Give them a light spray of cooking oil on top as well; this helps achieve that golden-brown color and extra crispiness.

6. Air Fry Until Golden and Crispy: Air fry the zucchini fries for 6-8 minutes, then carefully flip them over using tongs. Continue to air fry for another 6-7 minutes, or until they are golden brown and wonderfully crispy. The exact cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your zucchini sticks, so keep an eye on them.

7. Serve Immediately: Once cooked, remove the crispy zucchini fries from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate. They are best enjoyed hot and fresh!