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

can i make spaghetti squash in an air fryer

Yes, you can make spaghetti squash in an air fryer! It's a simple, tasty, and low-calorie dish that can be served as a side or as a low-carb alternative to pasta. The air fryer method is faster than roasting squash in the oven and produces perfectly cooked, tender, and fluffy noodles.

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How to prepare the spaghetti squash for the air fryer

Preparing spaghetti squash in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, select a good spaghetti squash. Look for one that is firm with no soft spots, bright yellow in colour, with the stem attached, and with no apparent cracks or blemishes. Make sure it is not too big for your air fryer basket.

Next, preheat your air fryer. Different recipes suggest different temperatures, ranging from 350°F to 380°F.

Now it's time to prepare the squash. Start by slicing off the ends, then carefully cut it in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or a melon baller to scoop out the seeds. If you want to make the squash easier to cut, you can first poke holes in it with a fork and microwave it for 3-5 minutes to soften it.

Once your squash is prepared, it's time to season it. Drizzle olive oil or avocado oil over the cut sides of the squash, then use your fingers or a brush to rub it in. You can also add other seasonings at this point, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning blends.

Place the seasoned squash in the air fryer basket. Most recipes suggest placing it cut-side up, but a couple of recipes recommend placing it face down for the first 20 minutes, then flipping it over and cooking for a further 10 minutes.

Cook the squash for 25-30 minutes, or until it is tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.

Once it's cooked, remove the squash from the air fryer and use a fork to fluff up the inside, creating spaghetti-like strands. You can then add further seasoning, such as parmesan cheese, butter, parsley, or a sauce of your choice.

And that's it! You now have a delicious, healthy, low-carb spaghetti squash dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish.

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How to cook the spaghetti squash in the air fryer

How to cook spaghetti squash in an air fryer

Ingredients:

  • 1 small spaghetti squash (2-3 pounds)
  • 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or avocado oil
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Butter (optional)
  • Parsley (optional)

Method:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 350-380°F.
  • Wash and dry the spaghetti squash.
  • Cut off the ends of the squash and slice it in half lengthwise.
  • Use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds.
  • Drizzle olive oil on the inside of the squash, followed by salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Use your fingers to coat the squash evenly.
  • Place the seasoned squash in the air fryer basket, cut-side up.
  • Air fry for 25-30 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
  • Remove the squash from the air fryer and use two forks to scrape and fluff up the inside, creating spaghetti-like strands.
  • Top with parmesan cheese, butter, and/or parsley, if desired.
  • Enjoy as a main dish or side!

Tips:

  • Don't skip the olive oil! It keeps the squash moist and prevents it from drying out or burning.
  • Use your fingers to ensure that the seasonings are evenly distributed.
  • Check the squash around the 20-minute mark to ensure it's not burning.
  • If you want to make this recipe oil-free, use an olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray, or add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable broth.
  • Use two forks to fluff up the "noodles" to avoid burning yourself.

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How to serve the spaghetti squash

There are many ways to serve spaghetti squash. Here are some ideas:

As a Main Course

You can serve spaghetti squash as a main course by using it as a substitute for pasta. Top it with your favourite pasta sauce, such as bolognese, or try it with alfredo sauce and pine nuts, shrimp scampi, or chicken and shrimp sautéed with arugula/spinach. You can also try it with olive oil and garlic, or with olive oil, Italian herbs, and feta cheese.

Spaghetti squash also works well with meatballs, either with a tomato-based sauce or a mushroom cream sauce. For a vegetarian option, you can stuff the squash with sauce and top it with mozzarella cheese.

As a Side Dish

Spaghetti squash can be served as a simple side dish with butter, parsley, and grated parmesan cheese, or with a bit of butter, garlic, salt, and pepper.

In a Salad

Spaghetti squash can be used in cold salads, in place of cooked zucchini.

As a Filling

You can fill spaghetti squash "boats" with cheese, meats, or other ingredients. For a vegan option, try garlic, vegan butter, extra virgin olive oil, and some seasonings.

As Pancakes

Mix cooked and shredded spaghetti squash with an egg, salt, and powdered ginger, and then pan-fry as savoury pancakes, serving with soy sauce.

As Fritters

Use a corn fritter recipe and substitute the squash.

Baked

Bake the squash with butter, then fork it to shreds. Put it into a baking pan with a little more butter and fresh parmesan. Bake until melted.

With Chicken

Spaghetti squash can be served with chicken, sautéed onions, spinach, and alfredo sauce, or with Cajun seasoning, chopped cooked bacon, butter, garlic, and cheddar cheese.

With Texas-Style Chili and Cheese

Stuff the spaghetti squash with Texas-style chilli and cheese.

With Brown Butter and Mizithra Cheese

Top the spaghetti squash with brown butter and mizithra cheese, adding sage for extra flavour.

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How to reheat spaghetti squash in the air fryer

Reheating spaghetti squash in an air fryer is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

  • Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to a slightly lower temperature than you used for cooking, around 350°F (180°C). This will ensure your squash is reheated gently and thoroughly without burning.
  • Prepare the squash: Place the leftover spaghetti squash halves in the air fryer basket. If you are reheating only the squash strands, place them in an air fryer-safe dish.
  • Reheat: Air fry the spaghetti squash for 3 to 4 minutes for the halves, or 2 to 3 minutes for just the strands. Check on the squash occasionally to ensure it doesn't burn.
  • Serve: Once the squash is heated through, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious, hot spaghetti squash!

By following these steps, you can easily reheat your spaghetti squash in the air fryer, ensuring it retains its flavour and texture.

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How to pick the best spaghetti squash

Picking a good spaghetti squash is essential to ensure that your air-fried spaghetti squash turns out well. Here are some tips on how to choose the best spaghetti squash:

  • Look for a squash that is firm with no soft spots. Spaghetti squash should feel heavy for its size, and it should have a dry, rounded, and intact stem.
  • The ideal colour of a ripe spaghetti squash is golden yellow or dark yellow. Avoid green squash, as it indicates that the squash is not yet ripe.
  • Check the skin of the squash. It should be smooth, without any cracks or blemishes.
  • To test if the squash is ripe, use your fingernail to poke the skin gently. If your fingernail does not go through the skin, the squash is ripe and ready to be cooked.
  • Pick a squash that is free of cracks in the skin and has a firm and dry stem.
  • Spaghetti squash should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. It can be stored for up to 3 months if stored correctly.

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