Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash Recipe (Healthy+Low Cal)

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews

Every time, perfect air fryer spaghetti squash! It’s quick and easy to make, with only a few ingredients needed, and it’s ready in 25 minutes or less.

If you’ve never had spaghetti squash before, this is a great place to start.

It’s a quick and easy way to enjoy this tasty vegetable, and if you don’t have an air fryer, you can make it in the oven!

WHAT IS SPAGHETTI SQUASH?

Spaghetti squash can be found in the produce section of your local supermarket. They are yellow and long, with an oval shape.

Their peak season is in the fall and winter, but they can usually be found all year.

When the inside is cooked, it can be shredded into long strands that resemble thin pasta. The texture can range from al dente to soft depending on how long it is cooked.

It can be cooked in a variety of ways, including the Instant Pot spaghetti squash, oven, microwave, and air fryer.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS DISH?

• It’s surprisingly filling while remaining low in calories! In my book, that’s always a win.

• Simple to make! Simply cut it in half, toss it in your air fryer, and let it do its thing.

• So flavorful and filling! I’m not going to lie to you: this isn’t pasta! No vegetable could ever replace sinfully delicious wheat pasta, but I adore this substitute and find it surprisingly comforting.

• Amazingly adaptable! You can dress this up in any way you like, just like your favorite pasta dishes. Toss it with sautéed vegetables, homemade pesto, tomato sauce, or even alfredo!

WHAT YOU NEED?

This recipe is simple and adaptable. Not only because the ingredients are few, but also because cooking squash in the air fryer is much faster than in the oven.

Once the squash is cooked, you can add it to a variety of dishes.

Combine it with spaghetti sauce to make a low-carb meal, or serve it as is for a quick side dish.

• Spaghetti squash – Select a medium-sized squash that fits in your air fryer.
• Olive oil – This will keep the squash from drying out and will add flavor to it.
• Seasonings: salt and ground black pepper

HOW TO PICK SPAGHETTI SQUASH?

If you’re in the supermarket and don’t know what to look for among the mountains of squash on offer, look for the following.

1. To begin, make sure it is not too large, or it will not fit inside your air fryer basket. If your supermarket has a scale, choose one that weighs around 2 lb.

2. Choose one that is firm (no mushy spots) and heavy for its size.

3. The stem should be firm and dry as well.

4. Avoid those with cracks, blemishes, or bruised spots.

5. The more yellow it is, the riper it is! So, instead of the pale ones in your grocery store, try to get a yellow one.

HOW TO STORE?

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months if they are tightly sealed and completely cooled.

Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes, or in the oven or toaster oven until thoroughly heated.

VARIATIONS

Each time, experiment with different fillings, toppings, or sauces to create a new version of air fryer spaghetti squash. Some of my favorites are:

• Sauté some vegetables, such as onion, peppers, mushrooms, and spinach, and combine them with your cooked squash.

• Serve your air-fried squash with your preferred marinara, pesto, or alfredo sauce.

• Make a sweet version by substituting butter for oil, brown sugar for salt, and a dash of cinnamon.

• Replace the noodles or rice in your favorite stir fry or curry dish with your veggie “spaghetti.”

• Make a spaghetti squash taco bowl by tossing in some black beans, corn, tomato, and guacamole.

CAN I FREEZE SPAGHETTI SQUASH?

Even a small fruit yields a lot of spaghetti squash. It’s possible that you won’t be able to finish it all in one sitting.

It will keep in the fridge for up to a week if you have leftovers. It’s also fine if you want to freeze it.

Allowing spaghetti squash to cool completely is the best way to freeze it. Then, using a tea towel or paper towel, dab the strands to remove any excess moisture.

Fill a resealable plastic bag halfway with squash. Remove any excess air from the bag and tightly seal it.

This will prevent freezer burn on the squash. It will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months if properly packaged. When you take it out, simply reheat it on the stovetop or in the sauce you’re using.

EXPERT TIPS

• To ensure even cooking, cut your squash in half as evenly as possible.

• Cooking times vary between air fryers. I’m using a Ninja Foodi, but if you have a different model, check for doneness around the 15-minute mark and continue to cook until fork tender.

• The size of your spaghetti squash will determine how long it takes to cook. I cooked a 2 pound squash in my Ninja Foodi for 20 minutes and it came out perfectly. Adjust the cooking time accordingly if yours is smaller or larger.

• To make it oil-free, leave out the oil and spray or drizzle a little vegetable broth on top to keep it moist while it cooks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Print

More recipes to try:

Spaghetti Squash in the Air Fryer

How To Cook Spaghetti Squash (Oven + Air Fryer Methods)

Easy Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash