This Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash is ready and on your table in 30 minutes and requires little prep time. This simple side dish is perfect for a weeknight meal.
Alternatively, mix in some of your favorite marinara sauce, add veggies or a protein and you have a complete, filling meal!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy Preparation - Air fryer recipes are a huge timesaver when it comes to weeknight meals or when dinner needs to be ready in a hurry. With only about 10 minutes of prep time, you can throw your spaghetti squash in the air fryer and get to helping the kiddos with homework. Or changing into your comfy after-work pants, ahem...
- Lots of Options - Spaghetti squash is very versatile. You can add in vegetables, protein and your favorite sauce to make it flavorful and filling.
This was inspired by my other method to cook whole spaghetti squash, and pairs well with so many different protein options.
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Ingredients
This recipe only requires three ingredients, plus seasonings!
- spaghetti squash - The inside of this vegetable will look like a thinner version of angel hair pasta. But, you'll get the nutritional benefits of the squash and it's surprisingly filling!
- parmesan cheese - This will add some extra flavor along with the other seasonings in this recipe. Without the cheese and seasonings, spaghetti squash can be a little bland.
- olive oil - This will give the squash a little bit of a coating so that it doesn't get burned in the air fryer.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions
Instead of using Parmesan cheese, feel free to substitute with nutritional yeast.
If you're out of olive oil, any oil will work. Some alternatives are canola oil and grapeseed oil.
No parsley or garlic powder? Try sprinkling with a little bit of Italian seasoning instead.
Also see this pizza spaghetti squash recipe.
How to make Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
Most of the work for this meal comes in the form of preparing the squash to put in the air fryer and then scooping it out once cooked.
Step #1: Cut the squash in half lengthwise.
Next, use a large spoon to scoop the seeds out and remove the stringy pulp from the center. Throw away the seeds, or use them to make roasted spaghetti squash seeds.
Step #2: Brush the inside of each half with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Next, sprinkle pepper, salt and onion powder on top of the olive oil.
Step #3: Place the squash halves in the air fryer. Cook at 375°F for 20-25 minutes or until the spaghetti squash is fork tender.
Step #4: Remove from air fryer. Let it cool for a couple of minutes. Next, use a fork to scrape the inside of the squash into spaghetti-like strands.
It should easily separate.
Top with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Hint: For best results, serve when it's fresh out of the air fryer. As it cools, it will release water, so for best texture enjoy right away!
Variations
Extra flavor: Some add-ins for extra flavor are sautéed garlic, cherry tomatoes, pesto, or other traditional pasta sauces like alfredo sauce or spaghetti sauce.
Types of cheese: Experiment with various cheese types, such as mozzarella or goat cheese!
Mexican twist: For a Mexican twist, transform your air fryer spaghetti squash into Mexican spaghetti squash boats.
Buffalo chicken: For a zingy dish, mix in chicken, buffalo sauce, blue cheese and ranch dressing as in this buffalo chicken spaghetti squash.
Serving Suggestions
Store leftover spaghetti squash in an airtight container. They'll last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
If you want to store it longer, you can freeze spaghetti squash. To do this place in an airtight container.
Or, you can plate the spaghetti squash strands on a single layer of a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Freeze for a couple of hours, then transfer to a large ziptop plastic bag for storing.
Top tip
When you're at the grocery store and selecting your spaghetti squash, pick a medium-sized one that feels heavy. This generally means that it'll be flavorful and ripe!
Recipe FAQ
This means that it hasn't been cooked long enough! It will be soft, tender, and easy to scoop when it is fully cooked.
Try microwaving it for a minute or two before you attempt to cut it in half! This will soften it a little, making it easier for you to cut.
If you tried Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments.
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Related
Looking for other air fryer recipes? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with spaghetti squash in the air fryer:
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Begin by cutting the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Use a sharp knife with a good grip on the handle. (You may find it easier to microwave the squash for a minute or two to soften it slightly.)Using a sturdy spoon, scoop the seeds out are remove the stringy pulp in the center of the squash. Discard the seeds.
- Brush the cut sides of each squash half with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, and onion powder evenly over the cut sides.
- Place the prepared squash halves cut side up in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them one at a time.Cook at 375°F for about 20-25 minutes or until the spaghetti squash is tender and the edges are slightly browned. The exact time may vary depend on your air fryer and the size of your squash.
- Once the squash is done, carefully remove it from the air fryer. Let cool for several minutes. Use a fork to scrape the flesh of the squash into spaghetti-like strands. The cooked squash should easily separate into strands.
- Sprinkle with squash with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
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