Air Fryer Zucchini and Squash Recipe

This air fryer zucchini and squash recipe is simple and so tasty. Italian seasoning and creamy parmesan bring out the natural flavors in these gorgeous summer squashes. 

Air fryer zucchini and squash are incredibly versatile and super quick to prepare. Try it with fresh baby potatoes or gnocchi and a drizzle of olive oil as an easy midweek dinner or a side dish with Air Fryer NY Steak.

Air frying zucchini and squash is much quicker than using the oven, and you’ll get better results. Air frying seals in the moisture, making the flesh tender while crisping up the outside for a delicious finish.

Adding grated parmesan cheese to the air fried squash and zucchini before it goes in the basket means that each mouthful has a gorgeous, crisp, cheesy crust. Combined with the garlic and Italian seasoning, it’s a taste that’s hard to beat.

In this blog post, you’ll learn:

How to make a delicious and healthy side dish using zucchini and yellow squash in the air fryer. Helpful tips. Some incredible main or other side dishes suggestions to serve with them. How to store and reheat leftovers.

Ingredients you’ll need to make squash and zucchini

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Zucchini: Zucchini should always feel firm and heavy, and the skin should be bright - some light scratches and marks are acceptable. Avoid zucchinis, which feel spongy. 

Summer squash: You can use any kind of summer squash; yellow squash is an excellent choice because the colors look lovely with the zucchini green.

Olive oil: When you air fry squash and zucchini, always choose an oil with a high smoke point, like light olive oil, sunflower oil, or vegetable oil.

Garlic powder: Substitute for finely chopped fresh garlic or chives if you have none.

Italian seasoning: This aromatic seasoning is usually a blend of rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, marjoram and sage. It’s easy to create your own, customized to your taste.

Parmesan cheese: Parmesan is creamy and tangy, creating a gorgeous crust on the squash and zucchini air fryer. If you want this dish to be vegetarian, look for similar hard cheeses not made with rennet. 

How to air fry squash and zucchini?

First, rinse the zucchini and squash and pat them dry with paper towels. Then, use a sharp knife to trim both ends and cut them into similar-sized pieces.

Toss the squash and zucchini with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, parmesan, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. 

Put the zucchini and squash in air fryer and air fry at 390°F for 12 minutes, or until the squash has started to brown. Ensure you shake the basket a few times during cooking so the squash cooks evenly and doesn’t stick.

Remove from the air fryer and serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese. Delicious!

Recipe tips

• The best size to cut the pieces into is around ½ an inch when making roasted zucchini and yellow squash in air fryer. This way, they are large enough to enjoy the tender flesh but not so large that they are difficult to cook.

How long to air fry squash and zucchini

It takes about 12 minutes at 390°F to cook squash and zucchini in air fryer. 

The time will depend on your air fryer and how big your pieces of squash and zucchini are. Air fry them until the outsides are starting to brown.

What goes with zucchini and squash

• Fresh gnocchi
• Air fryer baby potatoes
• Marinated chicken thighs in air fryer
• Best air fryer boneless pork chops
• Pasta salad

How to store leftovers

You can store leftover air fryer squash and zucchini in the fridge for 3-4 days. To store, put the squash and zucchini in an airtight container or a ziplock bag and move them to the refrigerator within two hours of cooking.

It’s also safe to store in the freezer for 2-3 months. However, cooked squash can go quite mushy when it’s defrosted, so it’s not recommended.

Can you reheat green and yellow squash in an air fryer?

Absolutely! To reheat yellow squash and zucchini in air fryer, put them in the air fryer basket and heat to 390°F for 2-4 minutes or until they are hot through.

Be sure to shake the basket halfway through the cooking time.

Are zucchini and squash the same thing?

Zucchini is a summer squash characterized by its vivid green color and oblong shape.

So when you make air fryer summer squash and zucchini, you are cooking two different types of summer squash, one green and one yellow. The varying flavors and colors are part of what makes the dish so delicious.

Do you peel zucchini?

You don’t need to peel zucchini. A lot of the nutrients are in the skin, and when frying squash and zucchini, the skin is one of the best bits because it goes slightly crisp.

Can you freeze yellow squash and zucchini?

You can freeze yellow and zucchini. However, it can lose some quality from being in the freezer. 

To freeze air fryer yellow squash and zucchini, lay the pieces on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours. Then, transfer to a ziplock bag. 

Are zucchini and yellow squash good for you?

Air fry zucchini and squash are low calorie and packed full of nutrients like Vitamins A and C and potassium.

Plus, they are a great source of fiber, which helps digestion and keeps you full for longer.

Can you eat zucchini and yellow squash on keto?

Absolutely! Zucchini and yellow squash air fryer is low-carb, so it’s perfect for the keto diet. 

Try using them as a side instead of potatoes or enjoying them as your main dish.

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