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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Air Fryer Squash

    Published: Apr 28, 2021 by Sherri Hall · This post may contain affiliate links.

    pin showing air fried squash on a white plate with text overlay
    Air fryer squash is an easy-to-make side dish that's ready in 15 minutes or less! Naturally vegan and gluten-free, this great side dish recipe features both zucchini and fresh yellow squash tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper. 
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 8 minutes
    Total Time 13 minutes
    JUMP TO RECIPE
    overhead view of cooked squash on a white plate.


    Air Fryer yellow squash and zucchini are fantastic tasting vegetables with many health benefits. They're a good source of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, folate, magnesium, potassium, and other essential vitamins and minerals.

    If you love all recipes using different kinds of squash, you're going to love these incredible winter squash side dish healthy recipes: Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto, Stuffed Acorn Squash, and Oven Roasted Spaghetti Squash.

    Jump to:
    • Why you’ll love air fried squash
    • Simple ingredients you’ll need
    • How to make summer squash in an air fryer
    • Easy air fryer squash recipe tips
    • Storing and reheating
    • Variations
    • Ideas for serving
    • What is the difference between summer squash and zucchini?
    • Is squash good in the air fryer?
    • More air fryer recipes
    • Air Fryer Squash

    Why you’ll love air fried squash

    • With only 3 minimal ingredients plus salt and pepper, this summer squash recipe is super easy to make in just minutes!
    • It's the perfect simple side dish without a lot of work for almost any of your favorite main dishes that the whole family will enjoy.
    • Roasting the squash in the air fryer gives it an amazing texture and brings out its natural sweetness.
    • This side is great for a variety of eaters including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and omnivore. And since this air fryer squash recipe has no bread crumbs or breading, it's also perfect for those following a paleo, low-carb or keto diet.
    • This easy air fryer recipe is a great way to put your favorite squash from your backyard garden to use.
    • Air fryer summer squash is a great basic recipe to build off of.
    close-up of air fryer squash on a white plate.

    Simple ingredients you’ll need

    • Zucchini
    • Yellow Summer Squash
    • Olive Oil
    • Sea Salt
    • Freshly Ground Black Pepper
    front view of cooked squash on white plate with two forks behind it.

    How to make summer squash in an air fryer

    First, wash the squash and pat them dry with paper towels.

    Then, cut both ends off of each squash.

    Cut each squash into ¼-inch slices.

    Add squash slices to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper to combine.

    raw yellow squash and green zucchini cut into circles on a wooden board
    squash pieces tossed with oil, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl

    If your air fryer has a separate elevated crisping tray or plate, be sure to insert it.

    For example, my Ninja air fryer comes with a crisper plate that fits right into the basket.

    Add the squash to the air fryer basket.

    Air fry at 400° F for 8-12 minutes until desired texture and browning is reached.

    Make sure to shake the basked of your air fryer 2-3 times during cooking.

    squash in air fryer before cooking
    squash in air fryer after cooking

    If you would like the squash softer, cook for up to 3 more minutes.

    Easy air fryer squash recipe tips

    • If you prefer, you can cut the squash into half moons instead of circles. To do so, first cut each squash down the middle lengthwise and then slice into ¼" half moons. You may also choose to julienne your squash for this recipe. However you choose to cut them, make sure they're of similar size so they all cook evenly in the air fryer.
    • Don't overcrowd your Air-fryer basket or tray with your squash. You need to leave room in there for the hot air to circulate around to cook the squash.
    • You don't have to use 1 zucchini and 1 yellow squash...you can use 2 of the same summer squash instead if you'd like.

    Storing and reheating

    Store leftover squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Squash can be reheated in the microwave until warmed throughout.

    Variations

    You can change up the flavor by tossing with some fresh herbs after cooking such as parsley, rosemary, thyme, etc. or try squirting on some lemon juice or topping with Parmesan (traditional or vegan) and/or crushed red pepper flakes.

    You can also add any simple seasoning choices on the fly, like garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning.

    overhead of yellow squash and green zucchini on a white plate.

    Ideas for serving

    This air fryer zucchini squash is the perfect side dish to serve with your favorite mains.

    You can also try using the squash pieces as a pizza topping or mixing with pasta or rice. It's the perfect way to use up extra zucchini or yellow squash.

    This has become one of our favorite recipes to serve as a side dish with our homemade vegan lasagna.

    What is the difference between summer squash and zucchini?

    While both are considered summer squash, one way that zucchini and yellow squash are different is their color.

    Zucchini is green while yellow squash is yellow as its name suggests.

    Another difference between the two is the shape.

    Yellow squash is thicker at the bottom than it is at the top while green zucchini typically has a similar thickness from top to bottom.

    close-up overhead view of cooked squash on a white plate.

    Is squash good in the air fryer?

    Great question, and if you can't tell, we think it's incredible in the air fryer. When you make this squash recipe in the air fryer, you end up with a nice firm texture that you don't usually get from other methods of cooking.

    It brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetable itself and doesn't require a lot of extra seasonings to make it something craveable.

    More air fryer recipes

    Using an air fryer to create delicious and easy recipes like this one makes it an easy way to get healthy meals in your diet. I love creating simple recipes made in the air fryer to share with you and I hope you enjoy them these delicious air fryer recipes too.

    • Air Fryer Breaded Eggplant
    • Air Fryer Broccoli
    • Air Fryer Carrots
    • Air Fryer Asparagus
    • Fresh Green Beans in the Air Fryer
    • Air Fryer Alexia Sweet Potato Fries
    overhead view of cooked squash on a white plate.
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    5 from 3 votes

    Air Fryer Squash

    Air fryer squash is an easy-to-make side dish that's ready in 15 minutes or less! Naturally vegan and gluten-free, this great side dish recipe features both zucchini and fresh yellow squash tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper. 
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Gluten-Free, Vegan
    Keyword air fryer, gluten free, squash, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 8 minutes
    Total Time 13 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 34kcal
    Author Sherri Hall

    Ingredients

    • 1 medium zucchini, washed and patted dry
    • 1 medium yellow squash, washed and patted dry
    • 2 teaspoon olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Cut ends off of each squash. Either cut squash into ¼” circles or cut down the middle lengthwise and then slice into ¼ ” half moons.
    • Add the cut squash to a mixing bowl and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
    • If your air fryer has a separate elevated crisping tray or plate, be sure to insert it. Add the squash to the air fryer and distribute evenly in the basket. Air fry at 400° F for 8-12 minutes until desired texture and browning is reached, shaking the basket to toss the squash 2-3 times during cooking. If you want the squash softer, cook for up to 3 more minutes.

    (Please refer to the post above for instructional photographs and other helpful information for this recipe)

    Suggested Equipment/Tools

    Air Fryer

    Notes

    Each squash should way approximately 6-9 ounces.
    Leftover cooked summer squash can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave until warmed throughout. 
    The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Oil to grease the air fryer was not included in the nutrition calculation.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 34kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 1g

    ©Watch Learn Eat. All content and images are copyright protected. Recipes and photos are not to be used or republished without prior permission. If you adapt this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, and link back to this post for the original recipe.

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    About Sherri

    Founder, Author, Recipe Developer, & Photographer

    With a lifelong passion for cooking, I specialize in creating easy meatless meals that are omnivore-approved!

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