Air Fryer Summer Squash

Name: Air Fryer Summer Squash
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: 2 medium summer squash; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (optional)

Recipe

Tossed in garlic and olive oil, your air fryer summer squash will be out of this world delicious.

With tasty seasonings and this simple recipe, you can cook flavorful summer squash in the air fryer in less than 15 minutes.

Summer Squash in the Air Fryer

Laura fuentes holding a skillet of food standing in front of a blue door

I use my air fryer year-round, but especially on hot summer days, I let the oven take a break and make my favorite roasted summer vegetables in my beloved air fryer. When cooked in the air fryer, summer squash turns out slightly crispy and cooks more evenly than when it’s baked, yielding a nutritious side dish that pairs amazingly well with pasta and protein, all of this quickly and effortlessly.

How to Air Fry Summer Squash

Place the seasoned summer squash slices in a single layer in the basket of the preheated air fryer and cook at 380°F for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket after 5 minutes. If your air fryer is too crowded or the slices are too thick, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Check the video below for a quick visual.

before and after cooking summer squash slices in the air fryer

Laura’s Tips for Perfectly Tender Cooked Squash

How to cut the summer squash?

Wash the summer squash, trim the ends, and slice them into rounds or half-moons. ½-inch thick is the sweet spot for summer squash rounds that are not too thick to take too long to cook or too thin to lose their shape.

Do you add seasonings?

Yes! Once the squash is sliced, season with oil, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning before placing them in the basket.

How to cook them evenly?

For even cooking, cut the summer squash into rounds or half-moons of the same size and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, with just a slight overlap. If you overcrowd them or place them at the very bottom, the air won’t circulate as well and they won’t be evenly browned and cooked.

Should you flip the summer squash?

Yes. Again, for the sake of even cooking, open the air fryer after 5 minutes and gently shake the squash.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Summer squash is a tasty and healthy side for any protein. I usually serve it with pan-seared chicken breasts or air fryer salmon. I also like to mix it with Alfredo pasta for added nutrition and flavor. Thinking about using it as a salad topping? Absolutely yes!

Always See My Recipes In Google

Air Fryer Summer Squash

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 8

Total Time: 13

Tossed in garlic and olive oil, your air fryer summer squash will be out of this world delicious.

5 from 6 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

2 medium summer squash
2 teaspoons olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, optional

Instructions

Prep:

Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 380F.
Wash, trim the ends, and slice your summer squash into ½-inch-thick rounds or half-moons.
Season the sliced summer squash by adding it to a bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the top, season with salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Toss to combine and distribute the seasonings. If using Parmesan cheese, add it now, and toss to combine.

Cook:

Place the summer squash inside the air fryer basket with the tray inside. This allows the hot air to circulate around the squash. Arrange it in a single layer with some overlap.
Cook it for a total of 7 to 9 minutes, opening the basket after 5 minutes to gently shake the contents, and then finish cooking. Add a minute or two more if your basket is a bit crowded or if your squash rounds are on the thick side.
Remove it from the air fryer and serve.

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