Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Tender and easy air fryer spaghetti squash are ready in just 20 minutes. You only need a handful of ingredients to make this healthy, low-calorie vegetable to serve as a main dish or delicious side dish.

Spaghetti squash is mild in flavor and somewhat delicate. It can be shredded to look similar to spaghetti noodles and expertly stands up to all kinds of seasoning and sauces.

Air frying mimics roasting, so you get the same nutty flavors from roasting it in the oven. Cooking spaghetti squash in the air fryer takes less time than cooking it in the oven and imparts more flavor than microwaving. Perfect spaghetti squash is ready in less than 20 minutes with minimal cleanup.

If you love spaghetti squash, give my roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash recipe or my air fryer parmesan zucchini recipe a try.

Ingredients

• Spaghetti Squash – look for spaghetti squash that is about 2 lbs in size.
• Olive Oil – substitute any light, neutral flavored oil. You can also use melted butter.
• Salt and Pepper – Season generously with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
• Optional Seasonings – Season with Italian seasoning, fresh herbs, onion powder, garlic powder or your favorite blend of seasonings. Add some cayenne pepper or sprinkle with hot sauce if you like spicy squash.

See recipe card for exact quantities and instructions.

Instructions

Hint: There is no need to peel spaghetti squash. The skin holds it together while cooking and the flesh will scrape right out.

Is Spaghetti Squash healthy?

Yes! Spaghetti squash is naturally gluten free, lower in carbs than other squash and can be eaten on keto and paleo diets. It's also vegan making it very diet friendly. It is a delicious vegetable with a good nutrional profile.

This squash is also a great pasta alternative. Spaghetti squash holds its strand shape well and can be used for a low carb substitution to pasta in many recipes. It is also quite low in calories.

Air Fryer Equipment

Spaghetti squash can vary in size but are typically quite large. You will need to use an air fryer with a larger basket to cook a whole spaghetti squash. For smaller air fryers, cook each half separately.

Storage/ Leftovers

Leftover air fryer spaghetti squash can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze leftovers in freezer bags for up to 3 months.

Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes to one hour and add leftover spaghetti squash to omelets, soups, salads, or serve as a quick vegetable side dish.

Cutting Spaghetti Squash and Knife Safety

Cutting spaghetti squash can be a bit tricky. Follow these tips to ensure you do it safely.

• Poke holes to pierce the skin in several places.
• Microwave the whole squash for 3-5 minutes to slightly soften it.
• Using a very sharp knife, cut off both ends of the squash.
• Cut the squash in half.
• Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds.

Serving Suggestions

Once cooked, use a fork to separate out the strands of spaghetti squash. They can be topped and tossed with various sauces, seasonings and dressing to make a main entree or side dish.

• Toss with easy marinara sauce.
• Use spaghetti sauce in place of zoodles in my skinny bolognese recipe.
• Drizzle with creamy homemade alfredo sauce.
• Toss with butter, salt and pepper for a simple side.
• Use in place of pasta in baked casseroles.
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• Serve cold, tossed with salad dressing for a pasta salad alternative.

If you like this Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash, please leave a 5-star rating.

Thanks for stopping by! Subscribe to Jersey Girl Cooks if you would like more recipes and cooking tips sent to your email. You can also order my Super Easy Cookbook for Beginners and follow me on social media - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.