Air-Frying Squash And Zucchini: Quick, Easy, And Healthy!

Air fryers are a great way to cook squash and zucchini, resulting in a crispy finish without the need for a lot of oil. The key to achieving this is to cut the vegetables at an angle, which increases the surface area and allows for more even cooking. You can also season the vegetables with salt, pepper, and olive oil, or parmesan cheese for extra flavour.

Seasoning: season with salt, pepper, olive oil, and parmesan cheese

To cook squash and zucchini in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 380F (193C). In a large bowl, add the zucchini and squash. Season with salt, pepper, olive oil and parmesan cheese. Toss and coat evenly. You can also coat the squash in olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl before adding to the air fryer.

Place the seasoned vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time. When the vegetables are cooked, serve them warm on a plate, with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

To keep your squash and zucchini crispy, use the roll cut technique. Hold your knife at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ingredient and make the first cut near one end. This should result in a piece with a diagonal or oblique end. Then, roll the ingredient a quarter of a turn (90 degrees). This method makes food look better and cook faster by showing more surface area for flavours to soak in. It also helps to slice the vegetables thinly to avoid sogginess.

Temperature: preheat the air fryer to 380F (193C) or 450F

To cook squash and zucchini in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 380F (193C). This is a good temperature to ensure the vegetables cook evenly and don't become soggy. You can also cook them at 450F for a shorter amount of time.

Squash and zucchini have a lot of water, which can cause them to become soggy when cooked. To avoid this, slice them thinly and place the slices on paper towels to absorb the moisture. You can also use a special technique called a roll cut, where you hold your knife at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ingredient and make the first cut near one end, resulting in a diagonal or oblique end. Then, roll the ingredient a quarter of a turn (90 degrees) and make another cut. This method makes food look better and cook faster by showing more surface area for flavours to soak in.

Once your air fryer is preheated, add the zucchini and squash to the basket and spread them out into a single layer. A little overlap is okay. You can also place the vegetables on parchment paper to ensure they don't stick. Air fry for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time. Then, flip the slices and cook for another 6-7 minutes. Remove from the air fryer and taste for seasoning. Serve warm with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Cooking time: cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 6-7 minutes

To cook squash and zucchini in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 380F (193C). Add the zucchini and squash to a large bowl and season with oil, salt, pepper and 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese. Toss and coat evenly. Place the vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with a little overlap if necessary.

Cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 6-7 minutes. When you remove the vegetables from the air fryer, taste for seasoning and add more if necessary.

To keep the vegetables crispy, use the roll cut technique. This involves holding your knife at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ingredient and making the first cut near one end, resulting in a diagonal or oblique end. Then, roll the ingredient a quarter of a turn (90 degrees) and make another cut. This method exposes more surface area, allowing flavours to soak in and the vegetables to cook faster.

Cutting technique: use a roll cut, also known as an oblique cut, to cut the vegetables at an angle

To cook squash and zucchini in an air fryer, it is recommended to use a roll cut, also known as an oblique cut, to cut the vegetables at an angle. This method makes food look better and cook faster by showing more surface area for flavours to soak in. It also helps to avoid sogginess, which can be caused by the high water content in squash.

To perform a roll cut, hold your knife at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ingredient. Make the first cut near one end of the ingredient, resulting in a piece with a diagonal or oblique end. Next, roll the ingredient a quarter of a turn (90 degrees) and make another cut. Repeat this process until the entire ingredient is cut.

Once the vegetables are cut, season them with oil, salt, and pepper. You can either brush or spray the oil on the vegetables or coat them in a bowl before adding them to the air fryer. Place the zucchini and squash in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are spread out evenly.

Preheat the air fryer to 380F (193C) and cook the vegetables for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For a crispier texture, increase the temperature to 450 degrees F and cook for an additional 6-7 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. Serve warm with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Avoiding sogginess: slice the squash thinly and pat dry with paper towels

To avoid sogginess, it's important to slice the squash thinly. Squash has a high water content, which can cause it to become soggy when cooked. By slicing it thinly, you increase the surface area, allowing more water to evaporate and resulting in a crispier texture. After slicing, it's a good idea to pat the squash dry with paper towels. This helps to absorb any excess moisture and ensures that your squash will be nice and crispy when cooked.

When cutting the squash, hold your knife at an angle of about 45 degrees. Make the first cut near one end, resulting in a diagonal or oblique end. Then, roll the squash a quarter turn (90 degrees) and make another cut. This technique, known as a roll cut or oblique cut, is ideal for long vegetables like squash, as it exposes more surface area, allowing flavours to penetrate and speeding up cooking time.

Once you've sliced and patted the squash dry, you can proceed with the air-frying process. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically around 450 degrees F. Place the squash slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap too much. Depending on your preferred level of doneness, cook the squash for 8-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking.

By following these steps and paying attention to the details, you can enjoy perfectly cooked squash and zucchini from your air fryer every time, with a crispy texture and delicious flavour.

Frequently asked questions