Squash cooked in the air fryer is really quick and delicious. It comes out nice and browned in places without being too mushy in the middle, and it only takes 8 minutes.
I really don’t like it when yellow squash is so soft that it’s mushy in the middle. I therefore prefer methods of cooking it that use high heat for a short time.
I often cook my squash the same way I cook zucchini. I actually leave the squashes whole, rub them with olive oil and seasoning, and then broil them or grill them. I slice them after they’re cooked. They get nice and brown on the outside but are still slightly firm in the middle. If you haven’t tried that, you’ve got to. But I’ve discovered that Air Fryer Yellow Squash also turns out delicious and it’s quick too!
Video: Making Air Fryer Veggies
Why Cook Squash In The Air Fryer?
However, now that I’m air fryer obsessed I have to cook everything in there. For instance, I’m on an air fryer veggie kick right now and I’m in love with this Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli and these Air Fryer Roasted Carrots with Honey Glaze. You can even do Air Fryer Apples!
Anyhow, since I’m putting everything in the air fryer, I moved on to yellow squash and zucchini (it’s the same method but I have separate recipes for you so you can find them more easily when searching for them. The air fryer zucchini recipe is here). You can also air fry butternut squash cubes and they turn out really wonderful.
I tried them whole the first time and then tried slicing them before cooking. I found that even if sliced, they don’t get as mushy in the air fryer. I think it’s because they don’t need very much time to start browning. So in the air fryer, I slice them first and then cook them.
The sliced yellow squash in the air fryer turns out nice and brown in places, a bit salty (in a good way), and with just the right amount of softness.
If you want a crunchy coating on your squash, try this Air Fryer Southern Fried Squash recipe. It’s so good! Or, if you want to cook your squash in the oven instead, try this Delicious Roasted Summer Squash.
How To Prep Squash For The Air Fryer
Preheat the Air Fryer
Get the air fryer preheating to 400°F. It doesn’t take long to preheat, but note you’ll likely be ready to add your squash to the air fryer before it’s done preheating. That’s totally fine. Get that veg in there as quickly as you can so you can move onto something else.
How to Cut Yellow Squash
I get small-to-medium sized squash. Once they’re sliced, I can fit 2 of them in my air fryer. If you’re not going to slice them first, you can fit up to 4 whole yellow squash in there. But 2-3 will be better because they brown better when they’re less crowded.
To cut the squash, cut off the two ends. Then slice it lengthwise, end to end, right down the middle. Finally, cut each half into 3/4-inch slices.
Season the Squash
Put the squash slices into a bowl and toss them with 2 teaspoons of cooking oil, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.
Note that you could do this right in the air fryer basket instead of dirtying a bowl. However, I find that some of the oil and seasoning drops straight through the holes in the basket when I add it directly to the basket. Using a bowl ensures more of it sticks to the zucchini. But this is really not a huge deal. I’m just a perfectionist sometimes.
How To Cook Air Fryer Yellow Squash
Transfer the squash to the basket of your air fryer. Toss it around a bit to get it into a single layer, or as much of a single layer as you can.
Slide the basket into the fryer. Cook for 5 minutes. No need to toss them or anything during this time. Let them be!
After 5 minutes give them a peek. They should be brown in places but a bit softened in the middle. They will likely need a bit more time though. Toss the basket a bit and cook them for another 2-3 minutes, until they look like this.
Podcast Episode: Making Air Fryer Yellow Squash
Listen to me explain briefly about how to make this recipe, with some great tips along the way, by clicking the play button below:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
Print Air Fryer Yellow Squash Recipe
I love yellow squash cooked in the air fryer. It comes out nice and browned in places without being too mushy in the middle, and it only takes 8 minutes.
- Prep Time: 2 Minutes
- Cook Time: 8 Minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 small-to-medium yellow squash
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Trim the two ends off each squash. Slice them in half lengthwise, end to end. Slice into 3/4-inch slices.
- Put the yellow squash slices in a medium bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Transfer to the air fryer basket and toss to get them into a single layer.
- Cook for 5 minutes. Check and see if they’re browned and slightly softened in the middle. If not, toss and then cook another 2-3 minutes.
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This post originally appeared in January 2020 and was revised and republished in July 2023.
Loved it. Still hard to cut before cooking
Glad you enjoyed, Rosalind!
Delicious.
Thank you, Evelyn!
Loved this. I’ve air fried squash before, but cutting it the way you suggested instead of in thin slices made a big difference. It was even good left over and reheated in the microwave.
Good to know, Cindy! Thanks for coming back to comment.
Love this recipe! Especially because it is simple, straightforward and SUPER tasty!
Yes, Mary Jo! Glad you loved it!
Very good and quick
Glad you enjoyed, Joan!
Easy and delicious.
Thank you so much, DK!
How do I know what to set my air fryer on when cooking, well say summer squash? Do I set it on air fry or roast or what? I just bought my 2 basket Ninja Air Fryer and I do not know what to set things on to cook and my food has been coming out over done and terrible.
Janice Jones
I don’t have that one, but unless otherwise specified, you should make air fryer recipes on air fry. I think some of the other settings don’t use the fan which circulates the air. Hope that helps, Janice!
Tried squash for the first time and so glad I came across this recipe. It was perfect and tasty.
That’s wonderful, Norma! Thanks for giving it a try.
I LOVE LOVE This recipe for air fryer yellow squash…I have very few people in my house that like yellow squash.
Iw.ent to a mobile food drive and they gave a whole case of squash. I tried to share with family no one wanted yellow squash. But that okay I will have yellow squash every day until it is gone.And I will use my airfryer.
Cynthia, I’m so happy that you like the recipe. It’s one of my favorite ways to make yellow squash (and zucchini) too! Thanks for coming back to let me know what you thought <3
I think this would be a great side dish with a piece of pork loin.
Sounds great, Ray. Enjoy!
Nice a simple recipe! Enjoyed it!
Thanks so much, Heather!
This air fried squash is so much better than steamed which is how I generally do it. However, instead of olive oil, I just sprayed it with canola oil. It was delicious. Thanks
Thanks for sharing, Tina. I’m so glad you gave this a try!
Great recipe
Thanks so much, Rich!
Your recipe makes four servings. How many peices are in a serving?
Depends on how big your squash are, Duane. We used 2 small-medium squash for this recipe, so a serving was about half a squash. Enjoy!
I love yellow squash and zuc in air fryer. I toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, parm cheese and garlic powder.
Sounds delicious, Sandy!
I followed directions and cooked it for a total of 18 minutes. It was still not crispy on the outside. What am I doing wrong?
Kathy
Kathy, yellow squash and zucchini never get crispy when cooked. They contain too much water. They will brown, but they will always be soft. You can bread them and cook them like this https://thecookful.com/air-fryer-zucchini-chips/ Then the coating will be crisp, but the squash inside will be soft still. I hope that helps.
Loved it! I can now say I like vegetables…..
Thanks, Paul!
Easy and so tasty.
Thanks, Rebecca!
Thanks for a great recipe! Our first yellow squash ripen today coincidentally we bought a combination microwave / convection oven / air fryer at Walmart. It was Kismet. What is simple yet elegant way to eat yellow squash. It took ours a little longer to cook but I think it’s because it’s like air frying in a cavity the size of a microwave oven. Thanks for the instructions.
You’re welcome, Liz! Glad you enjoyed.