Air Fryer Creamy Courgette Bake

Air Fryer Creamy Courgette Bake is an incredibly delicious way to serve courgettes (zucchini). It’s a rich and indulgent side dish with a cheesy topping that is simple to make in an air fryer or in your oven.

Why make Air Fryer Creamy Courgette Bake?

If you grow your own courgettes then I’m sure you will be on the lookout for different ways to serve them. And even if you don’t grow your own then you can take advantage of the cheaper prices of this fresh seasonal vegetable in the summer months.

Creamy Courgette Bake really is a next level recipe that is so incredibly easy to make yet delivers an indulgent side dish that you’ll want to make again and again.

What ingredients do I need to make Creamy Courgette Bake?

The ingredients are fairly simple and easy to find in your local supermarket or store.

• courgettes
• olive oil
• salt
• cream
• egg
• nutmeg
• cheese
• parsley

A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.

What are courgettes?

Courgettes are a member of the same plant family as squash, cucumber and melon. They are usually long and green but there are many different varieties. You can find courgettes in lots of different shades or green and yellow, and there are also varieties that are round. Any courgette variety is suitable for this recipe.

What’s the difference between courgettes and zucchini?

The only difference is in the language. Courgette is a French word and zucchini is an Italian word. In the UK they are usually called courgettes and in the US and many other countries, they’re called zucchini.   

Can I grow my own courgettes?

It is very easy to grow courgettes. I grow them in my garden, and they do well in large pots too.   Once the plants get established, they produce an abundance of fresh green fruits. I often have to give away courgettes as they are a very productive plant!

What kind of cream should I use?

Use double (heavy) cream in the Creamy Courgette Bake. You don’t need a lot of cream but it provides a rich luxurious texture to the creamy bake.

What is nutmeg?

Nutmeg is a spice made from the seed of the tropical, evergreen nutmeg tree. Grate straight from the whole nutmeg into the bake for the best flavour. You can buy ground nutmeg but it loses its flavour quickly. Whole nutmegs last for a long time and are definitely worth buying.

What can I substitute for nutmeg?

If you don’t have any nutmeg or don’t like nutmeg, then you can leave it out of the recipe. Mace can also be used as it is the outer casing of the nutmeg seed and has a similar flavour. A pinch of freshly ground black pepper is a good seasoning for this dish.

What kind of cheese do I need for the Air Fryer Creamy Courgette Bake?

I use Gruyere which is a smooth creamy Swiss cheese that is particularly good for melting. It’s one of the two Swiss cheeses used in cheese fondue, the other being Emmental.

What cheese can I substitute for Gruyere?

Any cheese that melts well will work in this Creamy Courgette Bake. Here are some alternatives you might like to try:

• Cheddar
• Red Leicester
• Fontina
• Emmental
• Mozzarella
• Tallegio

Can I substitute other herbs for parsley?

Yes, you can use most herbs with this recipe. The parsley is used as a garnish once the dish has been made so feel free to substitute your own favourites. Here are some herbs that would work well:

• Basil
• Thyme
• Tarragon
• Chives
• Coriander (Cilantro)

You can also replace the salt with a seasoning salt like my easy homemade Rosemary Seasoning Salt.

What is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a bit like a mini oven and has the potential to cook and bake all kinds of foods. Air fryers were originally sold for their ability to create ‘fried’ food with less fat. The heating element is at the top of the air fryer and it uses a powerful fan to circulate the heat. This combination of intense heat and circulation means that food crisps up quickly.

What kind of air fryer can I use to make Air Fryer Creamy Courgette Bake?

I have two different air fryers, a single-drawer air fryer and a larger air fryer that has shelves like an oven. You can make the Creamy Courgette bake in most air fryers although you do need to be able to fit a baking dish into the air fryer to hold the bake. The only kind of air fryer that would not be suitable is one with a rotating paddle.

Can I bake the Creamy Courgette Bake in the oven?

Yes, you can bake it in the oven. I have included instructions for this in the notes section of the recipe card at the end of this article.

How many people does it serve?

This recipe serves two people as a side dish.

Can I increase the quantities?

You can definitely increase the quantities if you have a larger air fryer or you are baking the Creamy Courgette Bake in your oven. Feel free to double or treble the recipe but check the timings as a larger quantity may take a little longer to bake.

Can I make the Creamy Courgette Bake ahead of time?

Yes, you can make Air Fryer Creamy Courgette Bake several hours before you wish to eat. I recommend that you slightly under bake it then reheat it in your air fryer at 170C for approximately 8 minutes.

Can I freeze it?

No, this bake doesn’t freeze well. If you freeze it the eggs will go rubbery and the courgettes will release a lot of water.

Gluten Free

This recipe does not contain wheat flour and should be suitable for a GF diet. Please check that it meets your own dietary requirements.

Vegetarian

Creamy Courgette Bake is meat free and is suitable for vegetarians.

For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

How should I serve Air Fryer Creamy Courgette Bake?

Air Fryer Creamy Courgette Bake is a really versatile side dish. Here are some ideas for ways to serve the bake:

• It makes a great accompaniment to my Slow Cooker Ham in Ginger Beer. The salty ham contrasts nicely with the creamy bake.
• Serve with grilled meats, like steak, lamb, or pork chops.
• The courgette bake is a great warm side dish for a barbeque.
• I enjoy eating this creamy bake with roast chicken in the summer months.
• You can even serve it as part of a breakfast or brunch spread.

More Courgette (Zucchini) Recipes

Air Fryer Courgettes with Garlic and Lime (zucchini) is a simple side dish with so much flavour. The courgettes are roasted with garlic and onions in your air fryer and dressed with fresh lime juice giving them a fresh and zingy flavour.

Air Fryer Courgettes Asian Style is a simple air fryer side dish of courgettes (zucchini) packed with Asian flavours. It’s a fresh light dish that is so delicious especially served with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds and sweet chilli sauce.

Courgette and Feta Tart is a tasty savoury tart that is a great way to use summer vegetables. It is filled with roasted courgettes (zucchini), cubes of feta cheese and flavoured with fresh basil.

Courgette Pea and Mint Soup is a delicious smooth blended soup that’s quick and easy to make with summer courgettes/zucchini, peas and fresh mint. It’s a very versatile soup that you can serve warm or chilled and it’s perfect to use up a glut of courgettes.

Courgette Relish is a sweet, crunchy, pickled relish that is ideal to liven up your salads, sandwiches, and burgers.  It’s the perfect way to preserve a glut of courgettes from the garden or bargain buys at the supermarket.

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