Simple air fryer spaghetti squash ready in just 30 minutes! Seasoned with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs! Serve as a side, or use it in your favorite recipes like spaghetti squash with marinara!
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I’m not new to preparing air fryer squash. But spaghetti squash is something I usually prepare in the oven. The only problem was that baking it in the oven takes FOREVER! Preheating the oven and waiting for it to roast would take me 40-50 minutes.
But since I’ve made so many other types of vegetables in the oven, why not spaghetti squash? So I whipped out my air fryer and was able to cut the cooking time in half. It comes out perfectly steamed and cooked on the inside with a crispy brown outer skin. There are so many ways you can serve it from casseroles to side dishes and more.
💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients
- Healthy Recipe
- Low-Carb
- Gluten-Free
- Perfect Pasta Substitute
- 25 Minutes Bake Time
- Versatile Vegetable
- Delicious Side Dish
- Use in a Main Course
- Season to Your Liking
🥣 Ingredients and Notes
Spaghetti Squash: When choosing a squash from the store, look for one that is firm without any soft spots. The stem should also be firm and dry. This will ensure that it is fresh. Avoid ones with cracks in the skin or any discolorations. Since this recipe uses an air fryer, you want to choose one that isn’t too big! Look for one that is bright yellow in color. That means it’s ripe and ready to be enjoyed!
Olive Oil: All you need is a teaspoon for each side of your squash. Use a pastry brush or rub with your fingers to coat the inside of the squash.
Salt & Pepper: I usually just season mine with salt and pepper. However, feel free to add more seasonings if you prefer such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne.
Fresh Herbs: Finish this dish topped with chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, rosemary, or thyme!
🛠 Tools and Equipment
- Your favorite air fryer!
- Good cutting board and chopping knife.
- Spoon for scooping and discarding the center.
- Pastry brush (optional) for rubbing squash with oil.
- Paper towel (if you want to dry out your seeds to plant in the garden).
How to Make Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
- Start by washing your squash.
- Place it on your cutting board. Cut off the two ends, stem and bottom, using a sharp knife. Then cut the squash down the center into two halves.
- Using a large spoon, scoop out the seeds on the open side so that it is clean and clear.
- Flip the squash over, cut side down, and poke holes with a fork a few times.
- Flip back over, drizzle with olive oil, and rub into the flesh. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the two halves in the air fryer basket, cut side facing up. Bake in the air fryer at 400° Fahrenheit for about 25 minutes or until the flesh easily scrapes away with a fork.
- Handle with care as you remove the squash from the air fryer. Transfer to a serving dish.
- Using a fork, scrape the squash from the outside in. Continue scraping until you’ve released all of the squash on both sides and have something that looks like long spaghetti noodles! Top with fresh chopped herbs!
❓Recipe FAQS
The best air fryer to use is the one that you have! But if you’re in the market for an air fryer, consider looking for one with a large basket. This will allow you to bake things like squash with ease. I also recommend looking for one with some simple pre-sets, reminders to shake your basket, and a good timer!
Follow the directions above for cleaning and cutting your squash. Preheat your oven to 400° Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Rub with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the squash cut side down on the parchment paper. Poke a few holes with a fork in the skin. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until fork-tender. Time will vary depending on the size.
If your squash is too big to fit in the air fryer. You may cut it into quarters rather than halves. Arrange the quarters to fit in the basket. You may need to make it in two batches.
It should not be crunchy, but it also shouldn’t be soft and squishy. Instead, it should have an al dente texture similar to pasta.
📝 Expert Tips
- Cut each half equally down the center so that each side cooks evenly.
- Not all air fryers are created equal. Cooking time may vary depending on your model. To prevent overcooking, check for doneness at the 15 and 20-minute mark.
- Poking the squash with a fork allows the air to circulate and the squash to steam a bit.
- The larger the squash, the longer the cooking time. You will need a smaller squash to fit in your air fryer. A 2-pound squash will take about 20-25 minutes to bake.
- The peak season for this winter squash is in the fall! That’s when they are the freshest and most delicious!
👩🏻🍳 Variations and Substitutions
Different Spices: Get creative and use any and all of your favorite spices to season.
Oil-Free: If you are oil-free, instead of using olive oil rub a little bit of water or vegetable stock to the inside of the squash.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy air fry spaghetti squash!
Garlic and Vegan Parmesan Cheese: Add some minced garlic to the center when baking, then sprinkle with vegan parmesan for a take on garlic pasta. Serve with vegan garlic bread.!
Mexican Style: Top with black beans, salsa, and guacamole!
Spaghetti and Veggie Meatballs: Serve topped with marinara sauce and homemade chickpea meatballs! Or top with pesto instead of marinara.
Vegan Alfredo Sauce: Make a homemade cashew alfredo for the sauce!
Casserole: Make into a casserole layered with vegetables, vegan ricotta, and tomato sauce.
Lo Mein Style: Season with soy sauce and serve with peanuts and stir-fried vegetables.
Greek Style: Top with fresh chopped tomatoes, basil, and homemade vegan feta!
Brown Sugar and Cinnamon: Give this recipe a bit of added sweetness with a teaspoon of brown sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon!
🫙 How to Store
Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze this recipe! Remove all the flesh, and discard the squash skins—place in a freezer-safe container. Spaghetti squash freezes for three months. When you’re ready to eat, transfer to the refrigerator to defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the microwave until heated through.
🎥 Video
😋 More air fryer recipes!
Recipe
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Wash your squash well. Place on cutting board, and cut off the two ends (stem and bottom). Then cut the squash down the center into two halves.
- Using a large spoon, scoop out the center seeds so that it is clean and clear. Flip the squash over cut side down, and poke with a fork a few times.
- Place the two halves in the air fryer basket cut side facing up. Drizzle with olive oil, and rub into the flesh. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for about 25 minutes, or until the flesh easily scrapes away with a fork.
- Transfer to a serving dish. Using a fork, scrape the squash from the outside in. Continue scraping until you've released all of the squash on both sides and have something that looks like long spaghetti noodles!
- Top with fresh chopped herbs! Serve as a side dish, or any way you like it!
Notes
- Keeps in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your squash and the size of your air fryer.
Jill
Great recipe! Everyone loved the squash!!
AISilva
I admit I haven’t made many meals with spaghetti squash, but this recipe sounds so good. I can’t wait to try it, thank you!
Biana
Looks great! I like how easy it is to make spaghetti squash in the air fryer.
Anjali
This was so much easier and faster than cooking spaghetti squash in the oven!! My squash turned out perfectly — I probably won’t be going back to oven-baked squash again!
Lauren Michael Harris
i make spaghetti squash all the time, but usually take the short cut of microwaving it instead of roasting. Air frying is like the best of both worlds, quicker but much more flavorful!!
Paige
Is it watery at all?
Alison Corey
No, it’s not watery.