Crispy Air Fryer Squash: Your Ultimate Guide to a Quick & Healthy Side Dish

Embrace the magic of your air fryer to transform simple vegetables into irresistible culinary delights. Among my favorite air fryer creations, vegetables truly shine. This incredibly delicious air fryer squash recipe is a prime example, delivering perfectly cooked, tender-crisp squash from start to finish in less than 20 minutes. It’s a remarkably healthy, flavorful, and wonderfully versatile side dish that complements almost any main course, making it a staple for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend meals.

“A super quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful side dish that complements nearly any meal!”

Why Air Fryer Squash is a Must-Try Recipe

When it comes to healthy and delicious side dishes, air fryer squash stands out. This recipe isn’t just about quick cooking; it’s about maximizing flavor and nutrition with minimal effort. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with making squash in your air fryer:

• Crispy Texture Without Excess Oil: The air fryer’s powerful convection heating creates a delightful fried-like texture that’s golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside, while remaining tender inside. This is achieved with significantly less oil compared to traditional deep-frying methods, making it a guilt-free indulgence. You get all the crunch without the heavy grease.
• Quick and Easy Cooking: Say goodbye to long oven preheating times. Air fryers cook squash remarkably fast, often in just 10-15 minutes. This speed makes it an ideal option for those busy weeknights when you need a nutritious side dish on the table in a flash, simplifying your meal prep.
• Enhanced Flavor: The concentrated high heat of an air fryer works wonders by caramelizing the natural sugars present in the squash. This process intensifies its inherent sweet and nutty flavors. When combined with simple seasonings like garlic powder and black pepper (or your favorite herbs and spices), the result is a deeply savory and satisfying taste experience.
• Incredibly Versatile and Customizable: Squash, particularly summer varieties like yellow squash, is incredibly adaptable. You can prepare it in various forms – slices, cubes, or even “fries” – to suit your preference or main dish. The seasoning possibilities are endless, allowing you to experiment with everything from classic garlic and paprika to exotic curry powder, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, or even a touch of maple syrup for a sweeter profile.
• A Healthier Option for Everyone: Air frying squash requires little to no oil, significantly reducing the calorie and fat content while preserving essential nutrients. Squash itself is packed with vitamins (A, C, B6), minerals (potassium, manganese), and dietary fiber, making this a genuinely nutritious and wholesome addition to any diet. It’s a side dish you can feel good about serving to your entire family.

While there are many wonderful types of squash, for this particular recipe, we’ll focus on the delightful simplicity of yellow squash. However, don’t limit yourself! Spaghetti squash, zucchini, butternut squash, and acorn squash are also fantastic candidates for the air fryer, each offering unique flavors and textures.

This air fryer squash recipe makes a fantastic accompaniment to a wide array of main dishes. Pair it with savory Air Fryer Chicken Breasts for a lean meal, complement a rich Air Fryer Ham, or serve alongside earthy Air Fryer Eggplant. It also provides a light, flavorful contrast to hearty mains like Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin, grilled fish, or even pasta dishes.

Essential Equipment for Air Fryer Squash

Making this recipe requires only a few basic kitchen tools, most of which you likely already own:

• Air Fryer: The star of the show! Any model or brand will work, though cooking times may vary slightly.
• Mixing Bowl: For tossing your squash with oil and seasonings.
• Basting Brush (Optional): Useful if you prefer to brush the oil and seasonings onto the squash slices, ensuring an even coating.
• Cutting Board and Sharp Knife: For safely preparing your squash. A mandoline slicer is excellent for uniform slices.

Simple Ingredients for Flavorful Air Fryer Squash

You’ll be surprised how few ingredients are needed to create such a delicious and healthy side dish. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, allowing the natural flavors of the squash to shine through.

• Medium-Sized Summer Squash: We recommend 2 yellow squash, totaling about 1 pound. Look for firm, bright yellow squash without blemishes. These cook beautifully and offer a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
• Olive Oil: A tablespoon is all you need to help the seasonings adhere and promote that coveted crispy exterior. Extra virgin olive oil adds a nice fruity note.
• Garlic Powder: A foundational seasoning that adds aromatic depth without the risk of burning fresh garlic.
• Ground Black Pepper: For a touch of mild spice and a classic savory flavor.
• Fresh Parsley (to garnish): Optional, but highly recommended. A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley adds a vibrant color and a fresh, herbaceous finish to the cooked squash.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Squash in the Air Fryer

Making crispy air fryer squash is incredibly simple. Just follow these easy steps for a perfect side dish every time!

1. Prepare the Squash and Preheat: Begin by thoroughly washing your squash under cool water and patting it dry. Trim off both ends. Using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, cut the squash into uniform rounds, approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Consistency in thickness is key for even cooking. Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for at least 3-5 minutes. This ensures the basket is hot and the squash starts crisping immediately.

2. Season and Air Fry: In a small bowl, combine the cut squash rounds with olive oil, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Toss gently until each piece is evenly coated. Transfer the seasoned squash to the preheated air fryer basket. Arrange the slices in as much of a single layer as possible to ensure maximum air circulation and crisping. Overlapping is okay if you’re doing a small batch, but avoid overcrowding. Cook at 400°F (204°C) for 13-15 minutes, making sure to toss or shake the basket about halfway through the cooking time. This promotes even browning and prevents sticking. Once cooked to your desired tenderness and crispiness, garnish with fresh parsley or other fresh herbs before serving immediately.

NOTE: This recipe was developed using a Cosori air fryer. If you are using a different brand or model of air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature slightly. Always keep an eye on your food during the last few minutes of cooking.

Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Squash

Achieving perfectly crispy and flavorful air fryer squash is easy with these helpful tips:

• Avoid Overcrowding the Basket: This is arguably the most crucial tip for any air-fried vegetable. For optimal crispiness and even cooking, arrange the squash slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This allows the hot air to circulate freely around each piece. If you’re cooking a larger batch, work in batches to avoid steaming the squash instead of frying it.
• Maintain Consistent Slice Thickness: Aim for squash slices between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch thick. Thinner slices will crisp up more quickly, while thicker ones will be more tender. Uniformity is important, so all pieces cook at the same rate. A mandoline slicer can be a great tool for achieving perfectly even cuts every time.
• Experiment with Seasoning Variations: While garlic powder and black pepper are fantastic, feel free to get creative!
  • Herbaceous: Add a pinch of Italian seasoning, dried oregano, or thyme.
  • Spicy: A dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes can add a kick.
  • Cheesy: Toss with grated Parmesan cheese during the last few minutes of cooking, or immediately after cooking.
  • Sweet & Savory: For a delightful contrast, add a tiny drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of brown sugar along with your savory spices.
  • Smoky: Paprika, especially smoked paprika, will add a wonderful depth of flavor and color.
• Preheat Your Air Fryer: Just like an oven, preheating your air fryer ensures that the squash hits a hot surface, leading to a better sear and crispier texture right from the start. A 3-5 minute preheat at 400°F (204°C) is usually sufficient.
• Shake or Toss Halfway: Don’t forget to shake the air fryer basket or toss the squash slices gently with tongs halfway through the cooking time. This ensures all sides are exposed to the circulating hot air, promoting even browning and preventing any pieces from sticking.
• Check for Doneness: Cooked squash should be tender when pierced with a fork and golden brown and slightly crisp on the edges. Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model and desired tenderness.

For more delicious and healthy air fryer vegetable recipes, be sure to try our air fryer acorn squash, savory air fryer stuffed mushrooms, or perfectly crispy air fryer okra.

Air Fryer Squash Recipe FAQs

This simple, delicious side dish is a fantastic way to enjoy vegetables, and your whole family is sure to appreciate its flavor and quick preparation!

4.84 from 6 votes

Servings:
4

Air Fryer Squash

By
Jen

This air fryer squash recipe is a game-changer! Enjoy perfectly crispy, healthy, and flavorful squash in under 20 minutes, making it the ideal quick side dish for any meal. It’s a simple, delicious way to elevate your vegetable game.

Prep:

5 minutes
mins

Cook:

15 minutes
mins

Total:

20 minutes
mins

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Rate
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Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer
• Mixing Bowl
• Sharp Knife or Mandoline

Ingredients 

• ▢ 1 pound yellow squash (about 2 medium)
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, optional garnish

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Instructions 

• Wash and dry the squash. Trim off the ends and cut the squash into uniform 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick rounds.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 3-5 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, toss the cut squash with olive oil, garlic powder, and ground black pepper until evenly coated.
• Carefully add the seasoned squash to the preheated air fryer basket, arranging it in a single layer as much as possible. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
• Cook the squash at 400°F (204°C) for 13-15 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the rounds gently halfway through the cooking time for even crisping.
• Once tender and golden brown, remove from the air fryer. Garnish with fresh parsley or your favorite fresh herbs before serving immediately.

Notes

For the crispiest squash, arrange slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate thoroughly. Cook in batches if needed.

Keep squash slices uniformly between 1/4″ and 1/2″ thick for even cooking. A mandoline can help achieve perfect consistency.

Elevate flavor by adding Italian seasoning, a pinch of smoked paprika, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese (after cooking) to the squash.

This recipe was developed using a Cosori air fryer. If using a different brand, you may need to slightly adjust cooking time and temperature.

Nutrition

Calories:
52
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
5
g

,

Protein:
2
g

,

Fat:
4
g

,

Saturated Fat:
1
g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
3
g

,

Sodium:
3
mg

,

Potassium:
310
mg

,

Fiber:
1
g

,

Sugar:
3
g

,

Vitamin A:
230
IU

,

Vitamin C:
19
mg

,

Calcium:
19
mg

,

Iron:
1
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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