Air Fryer Squash (Yellow and Zucchini)
Air Fryer Squash, both yellow and zucchini slices, can be crispy and crunchy in minutes! This quick and easy side dish made with air fried squash goes great with BBQ ribs as well as alongside your Thanksgiving ham or turkey.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 1fourth
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium yellow or zucchini summer squash (or 3 small) (about 3 cups sliced)
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon table salt
- ⅓ cup cornmeal (not self-rising cornmeal mix)*
- Olive oil or vegetable oil in an oil sprayer
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer at 400F degrees for about 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, slice the yellow squash or zucchini into ⅛-inch to ¼-inch-thick slices. Lightly sprinkle salt on both sides of the squash and wait just a minute. This will not only season the squash, it will draw out just enough moisture to make the cornmeal stick to the summer squash. Spray with an oil sprayer or toss with 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- For small batches, press the squash into the cornmeal in a shallow dish. Or, simply toss the coated squash and cornmeal together in a bowl or zip-top bag.
- Spray the preheated rack with the oil sprayer.* Add the cornmeal-coated squash to the air fryer basket and generously spray the squash slices with the oil sprayer.
- Air fry the squash at 400F degrees for about 6 minutes. (See Note on frying in batches.) Then, shake or toss the squash and generously spray the squash again with the oil sprayer. Air fry 3 to 4 additional minutes or just until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels before serving, if needed. Sprinkle with additional salt, if you like!
- Note: If you have a small air fryer, you can cook the squash in batches so you don't overfill it. I've had the best success frying in a single layer, but I've also cooked the whole 3 cups at one time and just cooked it a few minutes longer, shaking twice.
Notes
*If self-rising cornmeal mix (cornbread mix) is all you have, then it will still work.
*An oil sprayer for cooking is different than a can of aerosol cooking spray. The Foodie Physician doesn't recommend using aerosol propelled cooking spray on nonstick air fryer racks. I don't recommend using them directly on food, either.
If you do not have an oil sprayer, toss the sliced squash in 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil before coating with cornmeal.
Nutrition based on 3 cups sliced squash and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.
