Are you looking for a delicious and healthy way to use up your abundant summer vegetables? Look no further than air fryer zucchini and yellow squash! These crispy, flavorful bites are the perfect addition to any meal or as a satisfying snack on their own. Not only do they taste amazing, but they are simple to make with very little prep work and gluten-free!
Whether you're a fan of zucchini, yellow squash, or both, this post will guide you through an easy and tasty recipe that will have you reaching for seconds. Even better, you can use these recipe directions for any soft-skinned summer squash. Here's some more info about several types of squash.
Read on for all the loving details to make air fryer zucchini and yellow squash.
Featured Ingredients
Read below about a few of the ingredients used to make air fryer zucchini and yellow squash.
Zucchini & Yellow squash - You can use any summer squash, but these are very common and easy to find. Also, a lot of people grow these two vegetables, and they are in abundance throughout the summer months.
Oil - Use the tiniest amount! The air fryer doesn't need much, and too much oil can lead to soggy squash.
Seasonings - Salt and pepper can be enough! But if you're like me and want to get creative with the flavors, check out the serving suggestions below for some ideas for matching this side dish to the rest of your meal.
Tools for the job
- Air fryer
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Bowl
- Measuring spoons
How to make Air Fryer Zucchini and Yellow Squash
- Preheat the air fryer according to your machine's instructions. You can also line your tray if you'd like. My oven-style air fryer has a fairly large, rectangular basket, but I've seen all different sizes and shapes of air fryer parchment for sale online.
- Slice the zucchini and yellow squash into thick pieces and add to a bowl. You can slice them into rounds, or half-rounds, or get creative with the shape like I did in this video. Just as long as they are all thick chunks that are evenly sized.
- Pour the measured oil and seasonings over the top and toss well to combine.
- Fill the air fryer basket but don't overcrowd it. Cook for 8 minutes, tossing once. Not all air fryer baskets are the same size, so cook them in batches if necessary. If you are doing large amounts, you can keep them warm on a sheet pan in a 270°F oven while frying additional batches of squash.
Serving suggestions for Air Fryer Zucchini and Yellow Squash
- Serve air fryer zucchini and yellow squash as a quick and simple vegetable side dish to accompany roasted potatoes and a main dish.
- Top with an Italian salsa verde or romesco sauce to compliment the flavors.
- Add additional seasonings with the salt and pepper to match your entire meal.
Dried Italian herbs can be added to the squash to create a side dish to go with lasagna.
For a Mexican side dish, season the veggies with cumin & garlic, then sprinkle with cilantro after cooking.
For a Mediterranean feel, add garlic powder and a pinch of red pepper flakes to the salt and pepper before cooking. Then, after it has been air-fried, sprinkle a little lemon juice over the top and garnish with kalamata olives and fresh herbs like dill or parsley. - Parmesan cheese, crumbled feta, or another salty cheese makes another flavorful addition to the air-fried vegetables. Top the zucchini and yellow squash with a handful of cheese immediately after removing them from the air fryer (or in the last few minutes of cooking for meltier cheese).
Hot Tip!
Keeping it crisp:
- Always preheat the air fryer before adding the vegetables. This will ensure they are tender on the inside and have that "air-crisped" texture on the outside.
- Seasoning with dry spices like my Anything Seasoning Blend or like the blend used for these Simple Roasted Potatoes will also lend to a crisper exterior. Notice the amount of oil used for the roasted potatoes compared to these air fryer zucchini and yellow squash? Huge difference!
FAQ's
They are technically two different types of squash, but they are both summer squash, and they are very similar in flavor and texture. These two squashes are entirely interchangeable in recipes as they act the same way when cooked. Yellow squash is a tad sweeter than zucchini.
There is no reason to peel any summer squash, they are all edible, and most have very tender skin when they're raw.
Preparing them this way will not make them crispy, but it will give them a nice amount of browning and caramelization.
Preheat the air fryer. Don't use too much oil. Don't over cook it.
Smell is your first indicator. If it's offensive, toss it! Also, do not use the vegetable if it's bendable or dents when you press your finger on it. Check the inside. If it is spongey, webbed, or has a hole through the middle, it's probably past its date. Small gouges can sometimes overripen quickly, but often they can be cut off, and the squash is still okay to eat.
Leftover Air Fryer Zucchini and Yellow Squash
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I like to add a handful to my morning eggs.
- Air fryer zucchini and yellow squash can be reheated a few different ways:
- On the stove - In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the vegetables covered for 5 minutes, flip and continue to cook uncovered until heated through.
- In the oven - On a sheet pan at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
- In the air fryer - Preheat to 350°F and warm up the veggies for 5-10 minutes or until warmed through.
Eat your vegetables!
Here are a few more recipes to get a serving a veggies into your meal:
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Air Fryer Zucchini and Yellow Squash
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Enjoy a medley of air fryer zucchini and yellow squash simply tossed in oil, salt, and pepper for a healthy and delicious side dish!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs zucchini and yellow squash
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer according to your machine's instructions.
- Slice the zucchini and yellow squash into thick pieces and add to a bowl.
- Pour the measured oil and seasonings over the top and toss well to combine.
- Fill, but don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, and cook for 20-30 minutes, tossing once. Not all air fryer baskets are the same size, so cook them in batches if necessary.
- Time varies with each air fryer so check them at 20 minutes and keep cooking until the edges are browning and brown spots start to form on the flesh. (This was about 26 minutes in my oven-style air fryer.)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Air fryer
- Cuisine: American
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