How To Air Fry Yellow Squash For A Healthy Snack

Today, we will be exploring how to air fry yellow squash for a healthy snack. Air-fried yellow squash is one of my favorites. It cooks in 8 minutes, no longer mushy, and it is nicely browned in spots.

Yellow squash that is mushy in the middle does not appeal to me at all. Therefore, I prefer to cook it at a high temperature for a short time.

Is Summer Squash a Fruit or a Vegetable?

All squash varieties that grow during the warm months of the year into the fall are considered summer squash. Some of the most popular varieties of summer squash include sugar pumpkins, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, crookneck squash, zucchini, and patty pan squash. Even eggplant belongs to the squash family.

In many recipes, they are interchangeable and add color, flavor, and nutrition. There are plenty of ways to add squash to everything from sauces to salads to breads to appetizers and entrees!

Should I Preheat The Air Fryer To Air Fry Yellow Squash?

Prepare the air fryer by heating it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You can put your squash in the air fryer as soon as it begins preheating. However, note that it will be ready to cook before it has completed preheating. It’s totally fine. It’s best to get those vegetables in there as soon as possible to allow yourself to continue with other parts of the meal.

Season Your Squash

The squash slices should be placed in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, 14 tablespoons of salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper.

Instead of scrubbing a bowl, you can do it right in the air fryer basket. However, applying the oil directly to the basket causes some of the oil and seasoning to fall through the holes. The bowl allows more of it to adhere to the zucchini. However, this is not a big issue. My perfectionist tendencies sometimes get the best of me.

How To Air Fry Yellow Squash

1. Put your squash in the air fryer’s basket. Make sure you have it all in one layer, or as close as possible.
2. Place the basket in the fryer. Let it cook for 5 minutes. At this time, you need not toss anything away. Leave them alone!
3. Once you’ve waited 5 minutes, sneak a peek at them. A brown color should be visible in places, but they should be softer in the middle. Nevertheless, it may take a little while for them to finish.
4. Toss the basket around for a bit and then cook for another 2-3 minutes, until they’re ready.
5. Enjoy!

Delicious Recipes To Make With Yellow Squash In An Air Fryer

Veggies on Toast

Preparation Time: 12 minutes

Cooking Time: 11 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 red bell pepper, cut into ½-inch strips
• sliced button or cremini mushrooms, 1 cup
• 1 small yellow squash, sliced
• green onions, cut into ½-inch slices
• Extra light olive oil for misting
• 6 pieces sliced French or Italian bread
• 1 tbsp. softened butter
• goat cheese, ½ cup, soft

Directions:

1. Combine the red pepper, mushrooms, squash, and green onions in the Air Fryer and mist with oil. The basket should be shaken once during the cooking process. Roast the vegetables for 7 to 9 minutes at 375°F or until they are tender.
2. Remove the vegetables from the basket and set aside.
3. Spread the bread with butter and place in the Air Fryer, butter-side up. You can toast the bread for 2 to 4 minutes or until it becomes golden brown.
4. Use the goat cheese to top the toasted bread and top with the vegetables; serve warm.
5. Variation tip: To add even more flavor, drizzle the finished toasts with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Nutrition: Calories 162, Fat 11g, Carbs 9g, Protein 7g

Yellow Squash Fritters

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 7 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 (3 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• dried oregano, ½ tsp.
• Pinch of salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 medium yellow summer squash, grated
• ⅔ cup bread crumbs
• ⅓ cup grated carrot
• olive oil, 1 tbsp.

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, egg, oregano, and salt and pepper. Add the squash and carrot, and mix well. Stir in the breadcrumbs.
2. Form about 2 tbsp. of this mixture into a patty about ½ inch thick. Repeat with remaining mixture. Brush the fritters with olive oil.
3. Air-fry at 390°F until crisp and golden, about 7 to 9 minutes.

Nutrition: Calories 234, Fat 17g, Carbs 16g, Protein 6g

Bonus Recipe – What To Serve With Air Fry Yellow Squash

Flavorful Chicken Drumsticks

Cook time: 25 minutes ⃒ Serves: 4 ⃒ Per Serving: Calories 256, Carbs 3g, Fat 18g, Protein 20g

Ingredients:

• Chicken drumsticks – 1 ½ pound
• Olive oil – 2 tbsps.
• Fresh lime juice – 4 tbsps.
• Cayenne pepper – ½ tsp.
• Black peppercorns – ½ tsp.
• Coriander seeds – ½ tsp.
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp.
• Dried parsley – 1 tsp.
• Dried oregano– 1 tsp.
• Cumin seeds– 1 tsp.
• Salt – 1 tsp.

Directions:

In a grinder, combine cayenne pepper, peppercorns, coriander seeds, turmeric, parsley, oregano, cumin, and salt and process until finely ground. In a small bowl, mix together ground spices with oil and lime juice. Add chicken drumsticks in a zip-lock bag. Pour spice mixture over chicken drumsticks. Seal zip-lock bag and shake well and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Add marinated chicken drumsticks into the multi-level air fryer basket and place the basket in the instant pot. Cook at 400 F for 20-25 minutes by sealing the pot with the air fryer lid and selecting air fry mode. Turn chicken drumsticks halfway through. Serve.

Conclusion

Air-fried yellow squash is one of my favorites. It cooks in 8 minutes, no longer mushy, and it is nicely browned in spots.

Yellow squash that is mushy in the middle does not appeal to me at all. Therefore, I prefer to cook it at a high temperature for a short time.