Introduction
Oh, hello there! Come on in! You know those glorious summer days when the garden (or the farmer’s market haul!) is just bursting with fresh yellow squash? Sometimes you need a super speedy, utterly delicious way to enjoy that bounty without heating up the whole kitchen. That’s where this Air Fryer Yellow Squash recipe comes in! It’s become one of my absolute go-to side dishes because it’s incredibly simple, ridiculously fast, and tastes like pure sunshine. Seriously, even the pickiest eaters might just ask for seconds. Forget soggy, boiled squash – get ready for tender, slightly caramelized bites with a hint of savory goodness thanks to the air fryer magic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish!
- Easy: Toss, air fry, sprinkle. It doesn’t get much simpler.
- Healthy Side: A fantastic way to get your veggies in a way everyone loves.
- Versatile: Pairs perfectly with chicken, fish, steak, or even serves as a light lunch.
Ingredients
- Yellow Squash: About 3 medium ones, looking lovely and fresh. That’s roughly 4 cups once they’re cubed up. They’re the star!
- Spray Olive Oil: This is my secret weapon for air frying! It gives you a nice, even coating without using too much oil.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds that classic, aromatic herby flavor that just screams comfort food.
- Salt and Pepper: The essential flavor enhancers! Use them to your taste.
- Grated Parmesan: Because a little (or a lot!) of cheesy goodness makes everything better. You’ll want about 3 heaping tablespoons.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! First things first, grab those beautiful yellow squash. Give them a good wash and then cube them up. Aim for pieces that are roughly the same size, maybe about 1-inch cubes. This helps them cook evenly in the air fryer.
Next, toss your cubed squash into a medium-sized bowl. Give it a spritz (or a few!) of that spray olive oil. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Now, give everything a really good toss. You want every little piece of squash to be coated in that lovely oil and seasoning mixture. Use your hands if you want – it’s part of the fun!
Time for the air fryer magic! Carefully place your seasoned squash into the air fryer basket. Here’s a super important tip: don’t overcrowd the basket! The air needs to circulate around each piece for that perfect tender-crisp texture. If you have a lot of squash, cook it in batches. It’s worth the extra minute!
Set your air fryer to 380°F (which is about 190°C). Let it cook for about 12 to 15 minutes. About halfway through the cooking time (so around the 6 or 7-minute mark), give that air fryer basket a good shake. This helps make sure all the squash pieces get evenly browned and tender.
Once the timer dings and the squash is tender and looks slightly browned and delicious, take the basket out. Immediately sprinkle that lovely grated parmesan cheese all over the hot squash. The heat will make it stick and get all melty and wonderful. Give it a gentle toss if you like, and serve it right away!
Substitutions & Additions
- Swap the Squash: No yellow squash? No problem! This recipe works beautifully with zucchini too. You can even use a mix of both.
- Herb Happy: Instead of Italian seasoning, try dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or a blend of Herbes de Provence.
- Garlic Lovers Rejoice: Add a pinch of garlic powder to the seasoning mix for an extra punch of flavor.
- Spice It Up: A tiny pinch of red pepper flakes can add a nice little kick.
- Cheesy Choices: Don’t have parmesan? Try sprinkling with crumbled feta cheese, nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option, or even a little shredded cheddar.
Tips for Success
- Uniform Cubes: Try to cut your squash into similarly sized pieces. This ensures they cook at the same rate.
- Don’t Overcrowd: I can’t stress this enough! Overcrowding steams the squash instead of air frying it, leading to a mushy result. Cook in batches for the best texture.
- Shake It Off: Shaking the basket halfway through helps with even cooking and browning. Don’t skip this step!
- Pat It Dry: If your squash seems particularly watery after washing and cubing, you can pat it dry with a paper towel before tossing with oil and seasoning. Less moisture means better browning.
- Parmesan Pronto: Sprinkle the parmesan immediately after the squash comes out of the air fryer while it’s still piping hot.
How to Store It
If you happen to have any leftovers (a rare occurrence in my house!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for about 3-4 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 380°F for a few minutes until warmed through. The air fryer is definitely the best way to bring back some of that delicious texture!
FAQs
Can I use zucchini instead of yellow squash? Absolutely! This recipe works perfectly with zucchini or a mix of both.
Do I need to peel the squash before air frying? Nope! The skin is thin and perfectly edible, and it helps the squash hold its shape while cooking.
Why use spray olive oil? Spray oil gives a light, even coating across all the squash pieces, which is ideal for air frying and helps the seasonings stick without making the squash greasy.
How should I reheat leftover air fryer squash? The best way is back in the air fryer at 380°F for a few minutes. It helps bring back some of that lovely texture!
Easy Air Fryer Yellow Squash Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- bowl medium-sized
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 medium Yellow Squash approx. 4 cups once cubed
- Spray Olive Oil for air frying
- Italian Seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons Grated Parmesan heaping
Instructions
- Wash the yellow squash and cube them into roughly 1-inch pieces, aiming for similarly sized pieces for even cooking.
- Toss the cubed squash into a medium-sized bowl. Spritz with spray olive oil. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss everything well until every piece is coated.
- Place the seasoned squash into the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary to allow air circulation.
- Set your air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Cook for about 12 to 15 minutes.
- About halfway through the cooking time (around 6 or 7 minutes), give the air fryer basket a good shake to ensure even browning and tenderness.
- Once the squash is tender and looks slightly browned and delicious (12-15 minutes total cook time), remove the basket.
- Immediately sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese all over the hot squash. The heat will make it stick and get melty. Give it a gentle toss if desired and serve right away.
Notes
- Can substitute zucchini or use a mix.
- Try dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or Herbes de Provence instead of Italian seasoning.
- Add garlic powder or red pepper flakes for extra flavor/spice.
- Substitute parmesan with crumbled feta, nutritional yeast, or shredded cheddar.
Tips for Success:
- Cut squash into uniform cubes.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking.
- Pat watery squash dry before tossing with oil/seasoning.
- Sprinkle parmesan immediately after cooking while hot.
Storage & Reheating:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 380°F for a few minutes until warmed through for best texture.
FAQs:
- No need to peel the squash.
- Spray oil provides a light, even coating ideal for air frying.