Air Fryer Summer Squash is a quick and easy recipe for tender squash slices with lightly crisped edges. Perfect as a side dish for any meal, a simple blend of olive oil and seasonings brings out the squash’s natural flavor.
Need a quick and easy side dish? Air Fryer Summer Squash, made with simple ingredients, is ready in minutes and bursting with fresh summer flavor.
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Air Fried Yellow Squash
Summer squash is one of those vegetables that perfectly captures the feeling of warm, sunny days.
Whether you're growing some in your backyard garden or picking it up at your local farmer's market, summer squash is a must-have ingredient during the warmer months.
Summer squash is tender and mildly sweet making it ideal for quick side dish recipes.
One of my favorite ways to prepare this summer vegetable is by using the air fryer. And you know how much I love my air fryer!
The air fryer is the perfect way to cook squash quickly while giving it a slight crisp on the outside and keeping it perfectly tender on the inside.
Tossed with a blend of olive oil, Italian seasoning, and finished off with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this dish becomes packed with flavor.
Simple enough for a quick side dish and tasty enough to steal the show at your summer cookouts.
If you're looking for an easy way to enjoy this seasonal vegetable, you're going to love this easy air fryer recipe!
Crispy, tender, and packed with flavor, this Air Fryer Summer Squash is guaranteed to be the side dish of the season!
Keep your air fryer out and make air fryer sweet potato wedges too!
How to make summer squash
This is a quick overview of how to make this simple side dish recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Step 1: Combine squash, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt and pepper in a mixing bowl, tossing until evenly coated
- Step 2: Preheat air fryer to 400F. Arrange squash in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Step 3: Cook until golden, turnng once.
- Step 4: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Expert recipe tips
- Preheat your Air Fryer - Just a few minutes of preheating can make a big difference in texture.
- Cook in Batches - Don’t overcrowd your air fryer! Spread the squash in a single layer. Overlapping pieces will steam the squash rather than crisp it up on the outside.
- Turn Halfway - Turn the squash slices halfway during the cooking time or give the basket a shake for even browning.
- Watch Closely - Depending on your air fryer model, cooking times may vary. Keep an eye on them so the squash doesn’t overcook.
- Season More After Cooking - A sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan or a sprinkle of fresh herbs, after cooking will give your vegetable the best flavor.
- Serve Immediately - Air fryer squash tastes best fresh and hot. If the cooked squash sits too long after cooking it can lose its crispness.
- Use Fresh Squash - Fresh, firm squash will give you the best texture and flavor in this recipe.
- Prepping in Advance - If you want to prep ingredients in advance you can slice the squash and store it uncooked in the fridge for up to 2 days before air frying.
Substitutions
- Olive Oil - You can swap olive oil with avocado oil or with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Italian Seasoning - If you don't have Italian seasoning, use a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Parsley - Fresh basil or fresh chives are good alternatives if you don’t have fresh parsley on hand. Using fresh dill, rosemary, or thyme instead of parsley will give you different flavor profiles.
- Parmesan Cheese - Grated Pecorino Romano or a vegan Parmesan substitute will be a good replacement for Parmesan cheese.
- Kosher Salt - If using table salt in place of kosher salt, reduce the amount by half to avoid over-salting.
- Black Pepper – For a milder flavor, feel free to substitute white pepper for the black pepper.
Variations
- Spicy - Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- Lemon - A sprinkle of freshly grated lemon zest added after cooking gives a bright, fresh citrus flavor.
- Breaded Squash – You can toss squash slices in beaten egg and then panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan before air frying for a crispy version.
- Balsamic Drizzle – For a sweet and tangy twist, finish the cooked squash with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
- Mixed Vegetables - Combine squash with zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms for a colorful air-fried vegetable medley.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Spoons
- Wooden Spoon
- Cheese Grater
- Chef Knife
- Cutting Board
Storage
- Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat - Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 4 minutes to help restore some of the crispness.
- Avoid Overcrowding Leftovers When Reheating - When reheating, spread the squash out in a single layer to ensure it reheats evenly and stays as crisp as possible.
- Freeze - Freezing is not recommended because the squash will turn mushy when thawed.
Ingredients
Air fryer squash recipe ingredients
- Yellow Summer Squash – Summer squash, also called fresh yellow squash, is a tender, mild-flavored vegetable that includes varieties like yellow squash and pattypan. It cooks quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully, making it ideal for air frying.
- Olive Oil - A heart-healthy oil that adds richness and helps the squash crisp up in the air fryer.
- Italian Seasoning - A classic herb blend typically made up of a combination of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. It brings a savory, aromatic depth to the dish.
- Chopped Parsley - Fresh parsley adds a pop of fresh, herbal flavor and a bright green color to this vegetable recipe.
- Grated Parmesan - Nutty, salty, and rich, freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a new level of flavor of the squash after cooking.
- Kosher Salt - A coarse, flaky salt that evenly seasons the squash and helps to make the other flavors pop.
- Pepper – Pepper adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor to balance the sweetness of the squash.
- Garlic Powder – Garlic powder adds a gentle, savory garlic flavor without the possibility of burning like fresh garlic might in the air fryer.
- Onion Powder – Onion powder adds a savory depth of flavor
Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
Air Fryer Summer Squash Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 pound yellow squash about 2 medium squash, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley
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Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Combine the sliced squash with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper in a large bowl tossing until evenly coated.
- Arrange the squash in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Air fry for 12-14 minutes until the squash is golden and tender, turning halfway through the cooking time.
- Top with grated Parmesan, sprinkle with parsley and serve.
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