Air-Fryer Spaghetti Squash: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer spaghetti squash is a quick, easy, and healthy meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. It is a great low-carb alternative to pasta and can be served as a main dish or a side. The squash can be seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, and other spices, and topped with parmesan cheese, parsley, or butter. The air fryer ensures the spaghetti squash has a perfect al dente texture, and it can be paired with a variety of sauces, proteins, and vegetables to create a delicious and nutritious meal.

Spaghetti squash is a great, healthy, low-calorie, low-carb, gluten-free alternative to pasta

Spaghetti squash is a tasty, healthy, low-calorie, low-carb, gluten-free alternative to pasta. It's easy to cook in an air fryer and makes a great side dish or main course.

To get started, you'll need to preheat your air fryer to 350°F-380°F. While that's heating up, prepare the spaghetti squash by washing and drying it thoroughly. Then, cut off a thin slice from both ends of the squash and halve it lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds.

Now, it's time to season your squash. Drizzle the inside with olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable broth. You can also use a light coating of non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and any other seasonings you like. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne. Place the seasoned squash in the air fryer basket, cut-side up, and cook for 25-30 minutes.

You'll know your spaghetti squash is done when it's easily pierced with a fork. Remove it from the air fryer and fluff up the inside with a fork to create spaghetti-like strands. You can serve it as-is or with your favourite toppings. Some popular options include Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, shredded cheese, spaghetti sauce, pesto, alfredo sauce, and cooked chicken. Enjoy!

How to prepare your spaghetti squash for the air fryer

Preparing spaghetti squash for the air fryer is a quick and easy process. First, choose a good squash – one that’s firm with no soft spots, a bright yellow colour, with the stem attached, and with no apparent cracks or blemishes.

Before you begin, make sure to wash your squash very well and dry it thoroughly. Then, cut off a thin slice from both ends of the squash. Next, carefully cut the squash in half lengthwise (through the stem) and use a spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds. If you plan to plant some seeds in the future, you can save them.

To make the squash easier to cut, you can try a microwave hack. Make a dotted line lengthwise around the entire squash with a sharp knife. Place the whole squash in the microwave and cook on full power for about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the squash to a cutting board and cut it in half lengthwise, using the dotted line as a guide.

Now, you can brush or drizzle the inside of the squash with olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable broth. You can also use a light coating of non-stick cooking spray. Then, sprinkle the inside of the squash with salt and pepper and any other seasonings of your choice. You can also add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Use your fingers to coat the inside of the squash evenly.

Air fryer temperature and timing

Air fryer spaghetti squash is a tasty, low-carb, gluten-free, and healthy meal option. It is also a great substitute for pasta. The air fryer temperature and timing for cooking spaghetti squash depend on the quantity and the size of the squash. Here is a step-by-step guide for the temperature and timing:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Some sources suggest preheating to 360°F or 380°F. Adjust the temperature according to your air fryer model and the desired doneness of the squash.

Step 2: Prepare the Spaghetti Squash

Wash and dry the spaghetti squash thoroughly. Cut the squash in half lengthwise using a sharp knife. If the squash is too long to fit in your air fryer basket, trim the ends slightly. Scoop out the seeds and soft centre with a spoon.

Step 3: Season the Spaghetti Squash

Drizzle olive oil or avocado oil on the inside of the spaghetti squash halves. You can also use a light coating of non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle salt and pepper and seasonings of your choice over the squash. Some popular seasonings include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian spices.

Step 4: Place the Spaghetti Squash in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned squash halves, cut-side up, inside the air fryer basket. If you prefer, you can also place them cut-side down, but be careful as this may result in burning.

Step 5: Air Fry the Spaghetti Squash

Cook the spaghetti squash at 350°F for approximately 20-30 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the squash and the model of your air fryer. Check the squash for doneness by piercing it with a fork. If it pierces easily, the squash is ready. If not, continue cooking in 3-minute intervals until it is tender.

Step 6: Serve the Spaghetti Squash

Remove the cooked spaghetti squash from the air fryer and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Use a fork to scrape out the squash flesh, creating long strands. Serve immediately with your favourite toppings and sauces.

Reheating Instructions:

To reheat leftover spaghetti squash, you can use the air fryer, oven, or microwave. For the air fryer, preheat to 300-360°F and cook for 3-7 minutes until warm. For the oven, reheat at 350°F for 5-10 minutes. If using the microwave, wrap the squash in a damp paper towel and reheat for 1-4 minutes.

Oil-free cooking

Yes, you can cook spaghetti squash in an air fryer without using any oil. Here is a step-by-step guide for oil-free cooking:

Preparation:

First, select a good spaghetti squash that is firm, bright yellow, and without any soft spots or blemishes. Cut a thin slice off both ends of the squash, and then slice it in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds and soft centre. If your squash is particularly tough, you can try a microwave hack to make it easier to cut: make a dotted line around the squash, microwave for 3-5 minutes, and then cut along the dotted line.

Seasoning:

You can season the squash with salt, black pepper, and other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Italian spices. If you want to make a sweet version, you can use butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon instead of salt. You can also sprinkle salt on the halved squash ahead of time to draw out moisture and prevent soggy "noodles". Just remember to wipe off the excess salt before air frying.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to 350-360°F. Place the two squash halves cut-side up in the air fryer basket, making sure they are the same size for even cooking. If your squash is too big, you can trim the sides to make it fit. You can also line the air fryer with parchment paper to help with clean-up. For oil-free cooking, omit the oil and instead spray or drizzle a little vegetable broth on top of the squash to keep it moist.

Cooking Time:

Cook the spaghetti squash for 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of your squash. Smaller squash may be done in as little as 15 minutes, while larger squash may take up to 40 minutes. Your squash is done when it is lightly browned on the outside and fork-tender on the inside. It should be easily pierced with a fork and the flesh should easily comb into long strands.

Serving:

Remove the squash from the air fryer and transfer it to a plate or dish. Use a fork to scrape width-wise around the squash to create long strands of "noodles". You can serve it as a side dish with butter, parsley, and parmesan cheese, or as a main dish with your favourite sauce, such as marinara, pesto, or alfredo.

Storage:

Leftover spaghetti squash can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-6 days. You can also freeze cooked squash for up to 6 months. Simply reheat in the microwave, stovetop, or oven when you are ready to enjoy it again.

Reheating and storing your cooked spaghetti squash

Storing cooked spaghetti squash:

You can store leftover cooked spaghetti squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five to six days. Whole raw spaghetti squash can be stored for up to two months in a cool, dry location, such as a pantry. If you want to keep it in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh for one to two weeks, although it spoils more quickly than in a cool, dry place.

Freezing cooked spaghetti squash:

You can also freeze cooked spaghetti squash to save leftovers or for meal prep. It's a good idea to freeze the squash in 2.5-cup bags to make portion sizing easier when reheating. To thaw frozen squash, you can either take it out of the freezer the night before and let it thaw in the refrigerator for about 12 hours, or you can add it directly to a simmering sauce and let the heat of the sauce do the work.

Reheating cooked spaghetti squash:

There are several ways to reheat cooked spaghetti squash, including using a stovetop, microwave, oven, toaster oven, or air fryer.

Stovetop: Add the desired amount of squash to a saucepan with a splash of water and cook on medium-low heat for about five minutes, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

Microwave: Place the desired amount of squash in a microwave-safe bowl and add a tablespoon of water or broth to prevent dryness. Cover the bowl with a lid or a paper towel and microwave on high power for one to two minutes, stirring halfway through. Check if it needs more time and continue heating in 30-second increments if needed.

Oven or toaster oven: Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Place the squash in an oven-safe dish and heat for five to ten minutes, or until warmed to your liking.

Air fryer: Reheat the squash in the air fryer at 300°F for five to seven minutes, or until it reaches your desired temperature.

Frequently asked questions