Tiffany Haney
Air fryers are a great way to cook yellow squash quickly and conveniently. The dish is healthy, full of vitamins, and can be served as a side or added to a pasta sauce or curry. The air fryer's super-heated air cooks the squash more evenly than other methods, resulting in a firmer and more flavourful vegetable. This guide will explain how to cook yellow squash in an air fryer, including preparation, cooking time, and serving suggestions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of squash | Yellow squash, zucchini, butternut squash |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, Italian herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, taco seasoning, Cajun, Creole, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, asiago |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, extra virgin olive oil, garlic-infused oil |
| Air fryer temperature | 400°F |
| Cooking time | 8-20 minutes |
| Air fryer type | Cosori Dual Blaze Air Fryer, Ninja Foodi Grill 4-in-1 |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right air fryer
Air fryers are a great way to cook yellow squash, yielding a quick, delicious, and evenly cooked side dish. When choosing the right air fryer, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, understand your needs and budget. Air fryers vary in price, ranging from basic models under $100 to more expensive options with additional features. Consider the capacity you require; some air fryers can fit a 12" pizza or a 12-lb turkey, making them ideal for larger families.
Additionally, different air fryer types serve various purposes. Single basket, double basket, mini, and oven-style air fryers with smart cooking features are available. The oven-style air fryers are toaster oven-air fryer combinations, offering a budget-friendly option for those seeking a toaster oven with air-frying capabilities. If counter space is a concern, a mini air fryer might be a suitable choice.
Air fryers with multiple cooking functions provide added versatility. Some standard features include air-roasting, baking, broiling, toasting, bagel settings, dehydrating, reheating, and pizza modes. Certain air fryers also offer grilling, whole roasting, and grilling capabilities. When selecting an air fryer, consider the functions that align with your cooking needs.
Lastly, consider the ease of use, noise levels, and cleaning convenience. Some air fryers have smart cooking features, while others have simple controls. If noise is a concern, look for models that operate quietly. Additionally, pay attention to the ease of cleaning, as some air fryers may be more challenging to maintain than others. By considering your budget, capacity requirements, type, desired features, and ease of use, you can choose the right air fryer that best suits your needs.
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Preparing the yellow squash
Once you have cut the squash, season it. You can use salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian herbs. Toss the squash so that the seasoning coats it evenly. If you want to add a crunchy coating, you can coat the slices in cornmeal. You can also spray the slices with oil, or dip them in your favourite sauce.
After seasoning, place the squash in the air fryer basket. Arrange the slices in a single layer, ensuring they are not stacked on top of each other. This will help the squash cook evenly. You may need to cook the squash in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
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Cooking the squash
First, choose a small to medium-sized yellow squash. Larger squashes tend to have less flavour and may not fit in your air fryer as easily. Cut the squash into slices or cubes, around 1 cm (1/4-1/2 inches) thick. You can leave the skin on! If you're slicing the squash, slightly thicker rounds will help the squash maintain its shape while cooking.
Next, season the squash. You can use salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian herbs, tossing the squash so that it's coated evenly. If you want a crunchy coating, try coating the squash with cornmeal, or dip it in your favourite sauce.
Now, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Transfer the squash to the basket of your air fryer, ensuring the pieces are in a single layer with minimal overlap. This helps the hot air circulate and cook the squash evenly. If your air fryer is large enough, you may need to cook the squash in batches.
Cook the squash for 13-15 minutes, tossing the pieces about halfway through the cooking time. After 8 minutes, the squash should be browned in places but slightly softened in the middle. If you prefer your squash with a bit more crunch, you may want to cook it for less time.
Once the squash is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and serve. You can garnish it with fresh parsley or herbs, and a sprinkle of salt if desired. Enjoy!
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Serving suggestions
Air-fried yellow squash is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or added to other recipes. It is a great option for a quick, healthy, and delicious meal. Here are some serving suggestions for air-fried yellow squash:
As a Side Dish
Air-fried yellow squash can be served as a side dish on its own. To ensure the squash stays firm and doesn't get mushy, it is best to serve it fresh and avoid reheating. You can place the cooked squash on a plate to prevent it from continuing to steam and getting soft. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, and add a sprinkle of salt to taste.
With Proteins
Yellow squash is mild in flavour and pairs well with various proteins. You can serve it with chicken, beef, or pork. For a summer dinner, pair it with air fryer chicken tenders or air fryer burgers. For a game day cookout or a Thanksgiving meal, it goes well with BBQ ribs, ham, or turkey.
In Salads
Air-fried yellow squash can be served cold over mixed greens or added to a pasta salad. It provides a nice, browned texture and a slightly firmer bite to the salad.
With Sauces
If you coat the squash with cornmeal and air fry it, you can serve it with your favourite sauce as an appetizer or side. It also goes well with Comeback Sauce, a special sauce mentioned in one of the recipes.
In Main Courses
You can add air-fried yellow squash to various main courses. It can be included in pasta sauce, curry, or fried rice. It adds a nice texture and flavour to these dishes without getting too soft.
With Other Vegetables
Yellow squash can be served with other vegetables as part of a larger meal. Some suggested vegetable sides include air-fried broccoli, carrots, asparagus, or corn on the cob.
With Seasonings
You can add various seasonings to your yellow squash to change up the flavour. Try Cajun, Creole, taco seasoning, or Italian seasoning. A sprinkle of brown sugar can also add a touch of sweetness.
These serving suggestions provide a range of options to enjoy air-fried yellow squash, showcasing its versatility and ability to complement various dishes.
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Storing leftovers
When you're ready to enjoy your leftover squash, simply reheat it in the air fryer! Reheat the squash at 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 to 5 minutes, until it's warmed through and crispy again. You can also add the leftovers to a marinara sauce, curry, or stew, or serve them cold as part of a salad or cold pasta dish.
If you have uncooked, cornmeal-coated squash slices left over, you can freeze them! Place the slices on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for at least 1 hour or until firm. Then, transfer the frozen slices to a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. When you're ready to cook the frozen squash, spray the slices with oil and follow the same air fryer recipe, adding about 3 to 4 minutes to the cooking time.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook yellow squash in an air fryer, start by spraying the inside of the air fryer basket with your favourite non-stick cooking spray. Chop the squash into even cubes, leaving the skin on. Season with salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian herbs. Toss the squash so that they are coated evenly. Place the squash in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 400°F for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
It takes about 15 minutes to cook yellow squash in an air fryer. However, some recipes suggest cooking the squash for as little as 8 minutes, while others suggest up to 20 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the squash pieces and the model of the air fryer.
Yellow squash is a mild-flavoured vegetable, so it goes well with a variety of main courses. It can be served as a side dish with chicken, beef, or pork. It can also be added to pasta sauce, curry, or a salad.
