Are you looking for a low-carb super-easy-to-make squash recipe? If so, well, go nowhere because you have just got it. After a few American favorite air fryer recipes, such as air fryer cheese sticks, air fry chicken nuggets, I’m back with another easy-peasy air fryer recipe, the air fryer squash recipe, which is undoubtedly one of the most popular air fryer squash recipes.
Air fryer squash has always been known as a low-carb dish, but that’s not everything about this fantastic dish. It is also a fascinating side dish that can take anyone by surprise with its crispiness, and especially when it is dipped in marinara.
My mother and I were used to visiting our nearby Farmers Market each Saturday in the mid-year. We’d get new corn, enormously succulent tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, and whatever else looked fresh and scrumptious. There were days, when I was used to taking this dish is as my main meal! Now, as I have moved to someplace else, I still prepare it every other day to remember those green old days.
When is yellow squash in season?
Yellow squash, alternately known as summer squash, is available or in season, as the name itself speaks, from the late or end of the spring to the late summer. Consequently, it is a bit hard to find these summer squash at the beginning of the spring or in the winter months.
But, if you live here in the United States, you are most likely to find yellow squash throughout the whole year.
Recipe Ingredients
- Zucchini or yellow squash (2 pieces)
- All-purpose flour (1/2 cup)
- Kosher salt (2 teaspoons)
- Black pepper, preferably freshly ground (as per your need)
- Large eggs (2 big pieces)
- Buttermilk (1/2 cup)
- Parmesan, preferably freshly grated (1/2 cup)
- Panko breadcrumbs (2 cups)
Alternative Ingredients
In case you cannot manage the ingredients mentioned above, your options are:
- In place of yellow or summer squash, you have options to use Herbs de Provence or other types of Italian herbs. A wide range of summer squash seasoning also does fine.
- If you are using oil, you can replace the oil with broth or water. But you cannot add too much water, as the summer squash contains a high amount of water content. So, adding too much water will result in soggy summer squash.
- I have been directed to use either yellow squash or zucchini. But for a different variation and taste, you can combine these two; one of the zucchinis and one of the yellow squashes.
Recipe Directions
- Firstly, cut the zucchini or yellow squash into half-inch rounds.
- In a shallow bowl, place all the flour and season using pepper and salt.
- In another bowl, put the buttermilk and eggs. Then whisk to mix them finely.
- In a third bowl, place the parmesan and season using pepper and salt as you have done for all-purpose flour.
- Now, coat the squash with flour and dip it into the egg’s mixture. At last, dip the squashes into a bread crumb combination.
- In an air fryer basket, place the squashes in a single layer. If many squashes, go for another batch but don’t overlay.
- Cook the squashes for about 7-8 minutes, then toss and flip over, and cook for another 7-8 minutes.
- When the squashes turn crispy and golden, remove them from the air fryer and enjoy.
Serving Options
Air fryer squash offers almost endless serving options. The options include veggies, sauces, and other main dishes.
- When you serve the squash as a side dish, you should place the squash on a plate or platter so that they remain in good shape. The appearance matters a lot. If you put them in a bowl, they will lose their desired shape, as at the bottom of the bowl, the squash will keep steaming.
- It pairs perfectly with a wide range of vegan or herb main dishes. So, you can serve the squash with freshly chopped herbs, vegan sloppy joes, or vegan parmesan.
- Being a side dish, it goes fine with a vast number of main dishes, e.g., Vegan baked feta pasta, tofu nuggets, air fryer chicken nuggets, tofu nuggets of Chick-fil-A style, vegan pesto pasta, etc.
- As mentioned earlier, you can also serve squash with marinara sauce. After tossing with vegan pesto, you can serve the squash over pasta.
- Interestingly, squash also pairs nicely with any type of vegan grill recipe. Interestingly, squash also pairs nicely with any vegan grill recipe. For example, it goes along with roasted soy sauce Brussel sprouts.
- Another set of totally different topping materials are basil, dill, cilantro, and parsley.
Recipe Notes
If you are making a lot of squash, you should never cook them in a single batch.
- If you don’t place the squash in a single layer, they will stick to each other. Overcrowding then will also result in uncooked or partially cooked squash. So, to cook the squash evenly and till brown, make two batches of squash and cook separately.
- The cooking time and temperature may need to vary based on the batches and air fryer style. So, making several batches will also help here. After cooking one batch, adjust the time and temperature for the next batches.
Recipe Variations
Air fryer squash recipe, alternatively know as air fryer squash and zucchini, offers a few mentionable and popular variations:
- Some people like to use a little olive oil. It helps to achieve the golden-brown color quickly.
- If you don’t prefer oil, you can use soy sauce. But then you have to cut out the salt. On top of that, if you don’t like soy sauce, your alternative is coconut amino.
HOW TO STORE & REHEAT?
In an airtight container, store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Then reheat in the microwave.
When serving the stored ones, use stew, curry, and marina sauce with the squash. These squashes can also be a part of a cold pasta dish or salad.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient Fact (Per 2-piece serving) | Value | Daily Value |
| Calories | 30 (123 kJ) | – |
| Protein | 2g | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | – |
| Total Sugars | 3g | 9% |
| Total Fat | 1g | – |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | – |
| Trans Fat | 0.001g | – |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.003g | – |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0g | – |
| Iron | 1g | – |
| Cholesterol | 76.5 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 104mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 342mg | 34% |
| Vitamin A | 261IU | – |
| Vitamin C | 22mg | – |
Air fried squash or air fryer yellow squash is a great option, of course, as a side dish and also as a main meal. It is crispy and full of flavor with the necessary vitamins and minerals. Oh! It’s also low-carb! If you haven’t tried the air fryer squash already, try it now and share your thoughts!