Tiffany Haney
Cooking frozen squash in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty side dish. You can use any type of frozen squash, from butternut to yellow, and even sweet potatoes or pumpkin. Frozen squash can be limp after thawing, so it's best to coat it in cornmeal before freezing. A little oil and seasoning will help to create a crisp exterior, and the squash will take just a few minutes to cook.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | Takes 15 minutes to cook |
| Preparation | Minimal preparation required |
| Oil | Helps to get a crisp exterior |
| Seasoning | Garlic powder, salt and pepper are recommended |
| Type of squash | Butternut squash |
| Other vegetables | Can also cook frozen asparagus or frozen okra |
What You'll Learn
How to cook frozen squash in an air fryer
Yes, you can cook frozen squash in an air fryer. It's a great side dish that requires minimal preparation and only 15 minutes of cooking time. You can use any type of frozen squash, including butternut squash, sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, pumpkin, or yellow and zucchini squash.
To cook frozen squash in an air fryer, start by spraying the frozen squash slices with oil. This will help to get that crisp exterior on the squash pieces. You can use olive oil spray, vegetable oil, or avocado oil. Then, season the squash with your desired seasonings. A combination of garlic powder, salt, and pepper is a classic option, but you can also use onion powder, chipotle powder, ranch seasoning, fresh parsley, or any other seasonings you like.
Place the seasoned squash slices in the air fryer and cook according to the directions for your specific recipe. Frozen squash will take about 3 to 4 minutes longer to cook than fresh squash. If you are using individually frozen slices of squash, you may want to coat them in cornmeal before freezing to help the seasoning stick. Then, simply pull out the desired number of frozen, coated slices and air fry them.
You can also cook fresh squash in the air fryer. Simply follow the same steps, but adjust the cooking time as needed.
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How to season frozen squash
Yes, you can cook frozen squash in an air fryer. To season frozen squash, you can use a combination of garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or substitute the garlic powder with onion powder, chipotle powder, ranch seasoning, fresh parsley, or anything else you like. You can also use olive oil spray or vegetable oil to help get a crisp exterior on the squash pieces.
To cook frozen squash in an air fryer, spray the frozen squash slices with oil and cook according to the directions for your recipe. Frozen squash will take about 3 to 4 minutes longer to cook than fresh squash. If you have individually frozen slices of squash, you can coat them in cornmeal before freezing to help the cornmeal stick. You can also pat dry frozen thawed squash before coating in cornmeal, which will take less time to cook in the air fryer.
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How to freeze squash
Yes, you can cook frozen squash in an air fryer. You can also cook other frozen vegetables in your air fryer, such as frozen asparagus or frozen okra.
To freeze squash, you can either freeze slices or cubes. To freeze slices, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer, then freeze for at least one hour or until firm. Place in a freezer zip-top plastic bag and freeze for up to six months.
To freeze cubes, line a dry baking sheet with parchment paper and place the cubes on it in a single layer. Freeze for one hour, or until solid. Once frozen, slide the cubes off the parchment paper and transfer them to zip-top freezer bags to store for up to 10 months.
You can also blanch your squash before freezing by adding it to boiling water for four to five minutes, then immediately placing it in a large bowl of ice water. Drain well and freeze as above.
Another option is to freeze squash purée. Simply scoop the purée into an ice cube tray, then place it in the freezer for about an hour, or until frozen. Transfer the frozen purée cubes to a plastic bag and store in the freezer for up to three months.
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How to reheat frozen squash
Yes, you can cook frozen squash in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat frozen squash:
- If you have frozen slices of squash, coat them in cornmeal before freezing them on a flat pan. This will ensure the cornmeal sticks to the slices.
- When you are ready to cook, take out the desired number of frozen, coated slices and place them in the air fryer.
- Spray the frozen squash slices with oil. You can use olive oil spray, vegetable oil, or avocado oil.
- Season the squash with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice.
- Cook the squash according to the directions for your specific air fryer model. Frozen squash will take about 3 to 4 minutes longer to cook than fresh squash.
- If you are reheating leftover cooked squash, reheat it in the air fryer at 400°F for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking or tossing halfway through.
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Other vegetables that can be cooked in an air fryer
Yes, you can cook frozen squash in an air fryer. Frozen butternut squash is available to buy pre-cut in cubes from your local grocery store, or you can cut and freeze your own. Frozen squash can be cooked in the air fryer with a little oil and seasoning.
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots
- Red onion
- Red capsicum (pepper)
- Asparagus
- Okra
- Avocado
- Zucchini
To cook tender vegetables in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Chop your veggies to the desired size, optionally drizzling with oil, and add to the air fryer in a flat layer. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the air fryer pan a few times during cooking to promote even cooking. Smaller pieces will cook faster.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook frozen squash in an air fryer.
It takes about 15 minutes to cook frozen squash in an air fryer. If you are cooking frozen squash slices, they will take about 3 to 4 minutes longer to cook than fresh squash slices.
You can cook any type of frozen squash in an air fryer, including butternut squash, sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, pumpkin, yellow squash, and zucchini.
No, you do not need to defrost frozen squash before cooking it in an air fryer. In fact, frozen squash tends to become limp after thawing, so it is better to cook it from frozen.
To cook frozen squash in an air fryer, you will need oil or cooking spray to coat the squash before cooking. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil. You will also need seasonings such as garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
