Spaghetti Squash in the Air Fryer Is So Simple and Good

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You will be stunned how easy it is to make spaghetti squash in the air fryer. This simple kitchen tool makes perfect spaghetti squash without the trouble of the oven or microwave.

spaghetti squash

This recipe is no different. All you need to do is half the squash, take out the seeds, put it in the air fryer, and 20 minutes later it’s done. The seeds to most squash can be roasted in the air fryer like these pumpkin seeds. Try roasting a butternut squash in the air fryer or any squash for that matter. It is way faster than in the oven.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Simple: This recipe is easy and versatile. Not just for the small amount of ingredients required but also because cooking squash in the air fryer is way faster than the oven.
  • Versatile: Once you get the squash cooked you can add it to so many things, add spaghetti sauce to make a low-carb meal or serve it as is for a quick side dish.

Shelley says: 5 stars Loved this idea! So much faster than traditional oven roasting, and I was surprised to see that the spaghetti squash still comes out looking so roasty-toasty, like it would from a “normal” oven….

Heidy says: 5 stars I had never thought of making Spaghetti Squash in the Air Fryer but man am I glad I tried your recipe. It was nice not to have to heat up the house using the oven method. This recipe is a keeper.

Ingredients You Need

  • Spaghetti squash – Choose a medium sized squash that will fit in your air fryer.
  • Olive oil – This will keep the squash from getting dried out and lend some flavor to the squash.
  • Salt and ground black pepper – for seasoning

How to Make Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

To make spaghetti squash the air fryer way, you’ll obviously need an air fryer that’s large enough to fit your squash, or you’ll need to find a squash that fits your air fryer. Some are larger than others.

Step One: Prepare the squash

Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Use a large spoon to carve out the seeds and “guts”, as we call them. Just like cleaning out a pumpkin.

spaghetti squash opened

Brush on a light layer of olive oil. Sprinkle the flesh with salt and pepper. That’s all it takes for a flavorful squash.

squash in air fryer

Step Two: Air Fry Spaghetti Squash

Place the halves of the squash into the air fryer base and make sure they fit inside the machine. The open sides should be facing up.

Cook the squash at 380 degrees F for 20 minutes. It will come out slightly browned on the top and fork tender. If you stick a fork into the squash, it should give easily. If there’s still some resistance, you can put it back in for another 5 minutes. Every squash is a different size and density, so you might need to cook yours more or less to have it be done.

air fryer squash

You can use the tongs of a fork to gently scrape the squash from the shell. It comes out in long strands that resemble spaghetti. This makes it perfect for serving with a tomato meat sauce.

Spaghetti Squash can be served as a side dish without any additional toppings, or you can add some butter and parmesan for a light pasta-like dish.

spaghetti squash

The thickness of the squash is somewhere between spaghetti and angel hair pasta. You can use it just as you would pasta. It holds up to any type of sauce. And it’s not wet like zucchini noodles are, so you don’t have to worry about it watering down your sauce.

Can I Freeze Spaghetti Squash?

Even a small fruit produces quite a bit of spaghetti squash. It might be too much for you to finish in one sitting. If you have leftovers, it will keep in the fridge for up to a week. Or if you want to freeze it, that’s okay too.

The best way to freeze spaghetti squash is to let it cool down completely. Then dab the strands to remove any extra moisture with a tea towel or paper towel.

Place the squash in a resealable plastic bag. Push out all the extra air from the bag and seal it tightly. This will keep the squash from becoming freezer burned. If packaged well, it will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer. When you remove it, just reheat it on the stove top or directly in the sauce you’re using.

What to Serve With Spaghetti Squash?

spaghetti squash with tomato meat sauce

I think the perfect way to serve spaghetti squash is with a tomato meat sauce, like you might serve regular spaghetti. As a side dish, I love serving it with a little bit of honey sriracha sauce mixed in with it. It’s so flavorful!

If you’re serving it as a side dish, you might pair it with a bacon wrapped pork chop, or a pork roast. It also goes well as a side dish for these marinated grilled chicken thighs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the trick to cutting spaghetti squash?

Use a dish towel to steady the squash while you cut it in half. If it is too hard for you to cut safely then use this trick to help soften the shell. Pierce the skin with a fork several times along the middle where you want to cut it. Put it in the microwave for 4-5 minutes then try cutting again along the line you pierced with the fork.

Is spaghetti squash healthy?

Yes, air fryer spaghetti squash is rich in nutrition, with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, low in calories and high in fiber. It is a low carb alternative to pasta and very tasty when topped with spaghetti sauce. If you’re looking to do some healthy cooking, you can’t go wrong with this recipe.

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spaghetti squash

Spaghetti Squash in the Air Fryer

This simple recipe is easy to make in the air fryer and leads to perfectly cooked spaghetti squash.
4.96 from 48 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 106kcal
Author: Laura Lynch

Ingredients

  • 1 medium spaghetti squash
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
  • Slice the squash open lengthwise. Remove the seeds and pulp. Brush the flesh with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Place the squash halves, flesh side up, into the air fryer and close the basket. Cook for 20 minutes. When done, scrape the flesh with a fork to remove it from the shell.

Equipment Needed

Notes

The number of servings varies depending on the size of the squash and whether you’re serving it as a side or main dish. Expect between 4-8 servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 623mg | Potassium: 261mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 290IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

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8 thoughts on “Spaghetti Squash in the Air Fryer Is So Simple and Good

  1. Shelley says:

    5 stars
    Loved this idea! So much faster than traditional oven roasting, and I was surprised to see that the spaghetti squash still comes out looking so roasty-toasty, like it would from a “normal” oven. Honestly, though – I think I was even more excited about your suggestion that spaghetti squash freezes well! I haven’t tried that yet, but I would’ve been worried that it would thaw mushy and watery, so I’m really happy to know that’s an option for stocking my freezer (bc I really do love spaghetti squash for lots of things)! Thanks!!

  2. Heidy says:

    5 stars
    I had never thought of making Spaghetti Squash in the Air Fryer but man am I glad I tried your recipe. It was nice not to have to heat up the house using the oven method. This recipe is a keeper.

  3. Jenn says:

    This is amazing! Just roasted it in my Air Fryer before work so it only needs to be heated after work. Life changing is right!

  4. GAYLE RICE says:

    4 stars
    EVERYONE seems to put “a or per serving”……What is a serving…..a half cup….a whole cup of veggies……So, what is the “serving” for this recipe ….TIA…..

    • Angela Morris says:

      Hi Gayle, I understand your frustration. This recipe has 4 servings for a whole spaghetti squash. So a serving would be a quarter of a spaghetti squash.

4.96 from 48 votes (43 ratings without comment)

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