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This easy Air Fryer Squash recipe is ready in just 10 minutes! Fresh yellow squash is tossed in olive oil, spices, and parmesan and air fried until it is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside!
Air Fryers can make all sorts of dishes easier, like this recipe, shrimp tacos in just 10 minutes! Yes! But I think the best recipes to make in an air fryer are simple roasted vegetables. Usually, roasting vegetables requires you to heat your oven to a nice high temperature and bake the vegetables for at least 20 minutes. With an air fryer, you can achieve the same delicious roasted flavor much easier and faster!
Air Fryer Squash Ingredients
As always, this is an overview of the ingredients you will need for this recipe. For the complete, printable recipe just scroll to the recipe card. To make crispy squash you will need:
- Yellow Squash: you will need fresh yellow squash for this recipe. I choose a small to medium size squash for the best flavor and texture. Remember, larger squash contain larger seeds and sometimes the center of very large squash can be pithy.
- Olive Oil: you just need a small amount of oil for this recipe. I recommend using a spray or mister for this recipe.
- Spices: just good old Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are needed for this recipe!
- Parmesan: grated parmesan works best in this recipe.
How to make Air Fryer Squash
Aside from the handful of ingredients listed above you will need a mixing bowl and an air fryer. To make this simple squash recipe just follow the step-by-step guide below.
Quarter the Squash
Wash and dry the squash. It is important to make sure it is dry, squash already has a lot of moisture that has to evaporate during the cooking process so you want to be sure you aren’t adding any extra moisture. Once the squash is clean and dry carefully cut it into quarters, discarding the base and the narrow crook neck of the squash. Add the cut squash to a mixing bowl.
Add Spices and Parmesan
Spritz the squash with olive oil or another neutral oil such as avocado oil. Next, add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. When the squash is evenly coated add the parmesan and gently toss the squash. Just be careful not to overmix, this will cause the parmesan to adhere to your spatula and the sides of the bowl.
Add Squash to Air Fryer
Once the parmesan is evenly distributed it is time to prep the air fryer! Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F for 3 minutes. Remember, air fryers are just like ovens and grills. You need to warm the machine before adding your ingredients to ensure it cooks properly. Once the air fryer is preheated add the squash mixture to the air fryer in a single layer. Depending on the size of your machine you may need to do this in two batches.
Fry
Cook the squash for 5 minutes, toss, and cook an additional 4-5 minutes until the parmesan has begun to brown and the squash is tender. The cooking time will vary based on your machine, how you sliced the squash, and your desired tenderness. If the total 10-minute cooking time is not quite right that is okay, fry the squash 1 additional minute at a time, tossing in between cycles until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve
Serve the squash immediately, while it is piping hot! Add a little extra parmesan for garnish and you have an easy side dish that nobody will be able to resist! This dish is truly a versatile gem, it goes with any protein and practically any cuisine. These are a few dishes that I love to serve with squash:
- Thick Cut Pork Chops: pork chops get a bad reputation for being dry, but this method is so flavorful and juicy it will be your new go-to!
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin: make this first, and place it unsliced in the warming drawer of your oven, or covered in an oven heated to 200 degrees. Allow the squash to finish cooking, slice the pork tenderloin and you have an amazing dinner with barely any cleanup!
- Mississippi Pot Roast: a classic dish that pairs so well with this recipe.
- The Perfect Roast Chicken: what makes this chicken perfect? It includes a rub under the skin that makes the chicken super tender and juicy, as well as a crust on the outside that gets crispy as it cooks!
Fried Squash FAQ
Yes! Follow the exact same method but reduce the cooking time to 8 minutes total. I find that yellow squash has a slightly higher moisture content so it takes a little longer to cook than zucchini.
Yes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Follow the instructions but instead of placing the squash in the air fryer add it in a single layer to a large baking sheet. Bake the squash for 15 minutes and toss. Bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the squash reaches your desired consistency.
Sure, you can use a cajun blend, or another variety just remember not to add the extra salt if your blend is heavy on sodium.
No, if you are dairy free or need to skip the parmesan this recipe will work, but the exterior will not get as crispy without the parmesan.
Squash and Zucchini Recipes
- Veggie Fritters: crispy corn fritters packed with squash and okra! This is a summer staple.
- Crispy Baked Squash: this is my all-time favorite way to prepare squash!
- Grilled Zucchini Hummus Wrap: the perfect healthy and easy recipe.
- Ranch Zucchini Chips: so crispy and so easy!
- Zucchini Cheesy Bread: seriously…cheesy bread, made from zucchini! Dipped in marinara sauce!
- Crispy Zucchini Fries: a low-carb and keto-friendly side dish!
Air Fryer Vegetables
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Easy Air Fryer Zucchini with Feta
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Amazing Air Fryer Carrots
- The BEST Air Fryer Baked Potato
Air Fryer Squash
Ingredients
- 3 medium yellow squash, about 4 cups, cubed
- spray olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 heaping tablespoons grated parmesan
Instructions
- Quarter the squash into small cubes as seen in the photos. Spray with olive oil, and add Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.
- When you are sure the squash is coated evenly with oil, toss it with the parmesan. Do not overmix and stop when the parmesan is evenly distributed.
- Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes to 390 degrees F. Carefully add a liner and add the zucchini to the air fryer basket in an even layer. Cook 5 minutes, toss, and cook an additional 4-5 minutes until the parmesan has begun to brown and the squash is tender.
- Cooking note: I find yellow squash to have a slightly higher moisture content than zucchini. Yellow squash requires 10-12 minutes of total cooking time, whereas zucchini requires 8-10 minutes of cooking time.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
