Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash – Daily Yum

I adore making spaghetti squash in the air fryer. This versatile vegetable, when cooked in the air fryer, becomes tender and slightly crispy, perfect for pairing with your favorite sauce or protein.

While spaghetti squash is a great option for the air fryer, there are plenty of other tasty and unexpected foods you can cook up. Have you tried making Crispy cauliflower bites or flavor-packed Sweet potato chips? May I also recommend trying a juicy Whole chicken or Salmon filet?

What is Spaghetti Squash?

Spaghetti squash is a unique type of winter squash that has a buttery and nutty taste and slightly crunchy texture. It gets its name from the fact that, when cooked, the flesh of the squash shreds into thin, spaghetti-like strands. This makes it an excellent low-carb alternative to traditional pasta. While spaghetti squash is mild in flavor, it can be a great base for flavorful sauces and toppings. It’s also packed with nutrients and fiber. Whether you’re looking for a healthier pasta substitute or just want to try something new, spaghetti squash is a versatile and delicious option.

Health Benefits

The health benefits of spaghetti squash are impressive on their own, featuring low calorie and carbohydrate counts which are ideal for those following a weight management plan or a low-carb diet. These benefits, paired with the air-frying technique that significantly reduces the use of added fats, make for a guilt-free meal or a healthier alternative to your usual pasta indulgence.

By incorporating spaghetti squash into your diet, you can also capitalize on the vegetable’s fiber content – important for digestive health – and its role in supporting a healthy immune system and reducing inflammation.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need one spaghetti squash, olive oil, salt, and pepper, garlic powder, and a pinch of smoked paprika. That’s it! It’s a simple and wholesome recipe that you can enjoy on its own or with your preferred pasta sauce. Please scroll to the recipe card below for the exact amounts.

How to Make Spaghetti Squash in the Air Fryer

Choose the right squash: Look for squash that is firm and heavy for its size, with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid squash that is soft or has brown spots, as this can indicate that it’s past its prime. When you cut into the squash, the inside should be bright yellow with no mold or signs of rot.

Prep the squash: Start by cutting off the stem and the bottom end of the squash so it can stand upright on its own. Then, use a sharp knife to carefully slice the squash in half lengthwise. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp from the center of each half (please refer to the picture above). You can save the seeds for roasted snacks if you like. Take a fork and prick the skin of the squash several times to help steam escape.

Season: Brush the inside and edges of each half with olive oil. Or you can spritz it with the spray oil. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a pinch of smoked paprika.

Preheat: Let the squash marinate and absorb spices and herbs for 5 minutes. In the meantime preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Then, grease the air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray.

Air fry: Place the squash halves cut-side down in the air fryer basket and cook for about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the squash. When the squash is finished, the skin should be tender and easily pierced with a fork. After 15 minutes flip the squash on the other side and cook for an additional 5 minutes. By doing so, the top flesh gets a chance to caramelize, resulting in an even more flavorful dish.

Let the squash cool for a few minutes and then use a fork to scrape the flesh into spaghetti-like strands.

Tips and Serving

Be sure to poke a few holes in the squash skin before cooking it in your air fryer. Why? Because spaghetti squash is dense and full of moisture. It needs a way for the steam to escape and evenly cook the flesh. Without those punctures, you might end up with a dish that’s cooked on the outside but raw in the middle. Please refer to the picture above.

To give your spaghetti squash a taste uplift, try adding some garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning before cooking it in the air fryer. For a bolder flavor, you can also toss it in some olive oil with freshly minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese after it’s done cooking.

For a heartier meal, I love serving Spaghetti squash with air fryer grilled chicken juicy air-fried chicken thighs for a complete meal, or air-fried roasted vegetables.

You can also use spaghetti squash as a low-carb substitute in your favorite pasta dishes. Think spaghetti squash lasagna or spaghetti squash carbonara.

Other Squash in the Air fryer you may like to try

Squash is a versatile vegetable that takes on a delightful crispiness when air-fried. Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack or a savory side, these air fryer recipes promise the perfect crunch without the excess oil.

• Crispy Butternut Squash – Dipped in buttermilk egg wash and rolled in Panko breadcrumbs, each slice is a golden, crunchy delight.
• Roasted Air fryer Zucchini Chips – they offer the perfect balance between crispiness and the fresh, natural flavor of vegetables.
• And let’s not overlook the humble Air fryer Yellow Squash, a versatile companion that’s just waiting to be seasoned and cooked to perfection for a side dish that complements any meal with its sweet and satisfying taste.