With just five simple ingredients you can make these flavorful Air Fryer Pizza Zucchini Boats. They’re an easy, low-carb take on pizza night and come in at about 2 net carbs per zucchini boat—perfect for keto or low-carb meal plans.
I’m ready for summer and the abundance of zucchini that comes with it. Zucchini are versatile, nutritious, and adapt well to so many preparations. I especially love stuffing them—cheesy fillings tucked into tender zucchini make for a satisfying meal that feels indulgent but stays light.
These Air Fryer Pizza Zucchini Boats combine classic pizza flavors—Italian sausage, marinara, Parmesan, and gooey mozzarella—inside a roasted zucchini shell. They’re quick to prepare, ideal for busy weeknights, and work well as a main dish or a hearty side.
Air Fryer Pizza Zucchini Boat Ingredients:
Below is a short list of what you’ll need. Exact measurements and full instructions follow in the recipe card further down.
- Zucchini: medium to large—small ones are difficult to stuff.
- Italian sausage: cooked and drained of grease.
- Marinara sauce: choose a low‑carb option if you’re keeping it keto.
- Parmesan cheese: shredded or grated for mixing into the filling.
- Mozzarella cheese: shredded for a melty topping.
How do I make Air Fryer Pizza Zucchini Boats?
- Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to scoop out the center and create a shallow cavity to hold the filling; this turns each half into a “boat.”
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (about 200°C).
- Place the hollowed zucchini halves in the air fryer basket and cook for 3–5 minutes, until the skin begins to blister and the flesh softens slightly. Timing depends on zucchini size.
- While the zucchini pre-cooks, combine the browned and drained Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Stir until evenly combined.
- Remove the zucchini from the air fryer, fill each boat with the sausage mixture, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the top.
- Return the stuffed zucchini to the air fryer and cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Can I make these in the oven?
Yes—the oven is a good option if you’re preparing a large batch. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Hollow the zucchini, fill them with the sausage and marinara mixture, top with mozzarella, and bake for 25–30 minutes until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. With the oven method you can skip the brief precook step used for the air fryer.
What should I serve with Zucchini Boats?
These zucchini boats are substantial enough to be a full meal on their own, but you can round out the plate with low‑carb sides like cheesy zucchini breadsticks, garlic dinner rolls made for keto, or a simple green salad. If you’re not watching carbs, roasted sweet potato wedges or stuffed potato skins are delicious pairings.
For a themed pizza night, offer a few dipping sauces—extra marinara, garlic butter, or a drizzle of olive oil with herbs—and a simple side salad to add freshness.
More zucchini boat recipes:
- Chicken Alfredo Zucchini Boats
- Cheeseburger Zucchini Boats
- Taco Zucchini Boats
- Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats
Air Fryer Pizza Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini
- 1 pound Italian sausage, browned and drained
- 1 cup marinara sauce (use a low‑carb option for keto)
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Slice the zucchini lengthwise and scoop out the centers to create boats.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- Air fry the zucchini boats for 3–5 minutes until they begin to blister.
- Mix the cooked Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and Parmesan in a bowl.
- Spoon the mixture into each zucchini half and top with shredded mozzarella.
- Return to the air fryer and cook another 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Notes
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook these in two batches. For oven baking, preheat to 350°F (175°C), fill the hollowed zucchini with the mixture (no precook needed), top with mozzarella, and bake 25–30 minutes until tender and the cheese is melted.
Net carbs: approximately 2.2 g per zucchini boat (estimate).
Nutrition
Serving: 1 zucchini boat • Calories: 343 kcal • Carbohydrates: 2.9 g • Protein: 19.7 g • Fat: 27.4 g • Fiber: 0.7 g • Sugar: 1.3 g • Sodium: 917 mg • Cholesterol: 65 mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Course: Dinner, Keto or Low Carb • Cuisine: Keto
Mention the account name or tag the recipe on social media when you make it—I’d love to see your variations and how you serve them.