Perfectly cooked al dente style, this Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash recipe is a quick and easy low carb alternative to pasta! All you need is some oil and a simple seasoning and this spaghetti squash roasts in just 25 minutes in the air fryer.
When I’m looking for a quick and easy lunch or dinner, this air fried spaghetti squash is a go-to recipe for me. I make it almost as much as I make this air fryer butternut squash!
If you don’t have an air fryer, no worries. You can check out this stuffed spaghetti squash recipe, which includes directions on how to roast spaghetti squash in the oven.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s quick and easy to make, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish. The seasoning is also super simple with just some oil, salt, pepper and onion powder.
- Roasting spaghetti squash in the air fryer is quicker than roasting it in the oven, which can take up to 45 minutes depending on the size of your squash.
- If you’re looking for a pasta substitute, spaghetti squash noodles are a great option as they hold up well to sauces and they’re a good way to get more veggies into your meal.
- Air frying results in tender, al dente noodles, so you never have to worry about your spaghetti squash noodles being mushy.
- Served on their own, these squash noodles are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.
What is spaghetti squash?
This is a type of winter squash with yellow skin and flesh. Once cooked, the flesh pulls apart to resemble spaghetti noodles. Peak season is fall and winter and you can find spaghetti squash at local grocery stores or farmers’ markets.
Details on the ingredients
Spaghetti squash – I used a 2 1/2 pound spaghetti squash for this recipe. When buying your squash, look for one that is firm without any brown or soft spots. Spaghetti squash can vary in size. Some are longer than others, while some can be wider. Make sure the one you select fits in your air fryer when cut in half.
Oil – A tablespoon of oil is brushed on the cut side of the flesh to prevent it from drying out in the air fryer. I used extra virgin olive oil but you can use your preferred oil.
Seasonings – The seasoning for this squash recipe couldn’t be simpler. You’ll just need a little ground black pepper, salt and onion powder. Feel free to change it up with some garlic powder, smoked paprika or chili powder.
How to roast spaghetti squash in the air fryer
Wash your spaghetti squash and pat it dry. (You’ll want to remove any dirt, debris or even stickers).
Using a sharp knife, cut the squash in half lengthwise.
Use a spoon to scoop the seeds out as well as some of the stringy flesh.
Brush the flesh with oil and season with salt, pepper and onion powder.
Place the squash halves cut side up in the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 350F for 20-25 minutes, or until the squash is fork tender.
Use a fork to pull apart the cooked squash flesh so it resembles strands of spaghetti.
Serve it as squash boats or scoop the noodles out onto a plate.
Enjoy the noodles on their own or with your favourite toppings.
Best way to cut spaghetti squash
Spaghetti squash can be challenging to cut in half as the outer skin is hard and thick.
To make the process a little easier, I like to soften the squash in the microwave for just a few minutes.
To do this, use a knife to puncture the skin of the squash a number of times all over. This will help steam escape as it’s heated. (Don’t skip this step as you don’t want the squash to explode in the microwave).
Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes. You don’t want to cook the squash, you just want to soften it slightly so it’s easier to cut through.
Make sure your cutting surface is secure. (I like to place a damp cloth underneath my cutting board to help prevent it from sliding around). Use a chef’s knife to carefully cut the squash in half lengthwise.
Key recipe tips
- Cut squash evenly. You’ll want your two squash halves to be roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate.
- Roast cut side up. Oven roasted spaghetti squash calls for roasting the squash cut side down. In the air fryer, however, you need to air fry cut side up so the oil and seasonings don’t drip out of the basket.
- Size of squash. Make sure your spaghetti squash will fit in your air fryer. I recommend using small ones that are 2 1/2 pounds or less.
- Air frying time. This will vary depending on how large your squash is and the size, brand and model of your air fryer.
- Size of air fryer. I used a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer and two squash halves fit nicely in the basket. If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to buy a smaller squash or air fry the halves separately.
- Don’t throw the seeds away! You can keep them and roast them like you would these air fryer pumpkin seeds.
How to serve air fryer spaghetti squash
- While spaghetti squash noodles are delicious on their own with some oil and seasonings, I love to top them with homemade marinara sauce and chicken meatballs or turkey meatballs.
- I also think some marinara sauce with this pork schnitzel or chicken schnitzel would be delicious served over the squash noodles.
- Serve the noodles with some seafood like these air fryer scallops, breaded shrimp or salmon fillets.
- Pair the noodles with pork tenderloin for a hearty meal or lighten things up with the addition of some air fryer vegetables.
Storage instructions
Spaghetti squash noodles reheat well so they’re great for meal prepping. Just store the noodles in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can just reheat them in the microwave when ready to eat.
You can also freeze cooked spaghetti squash. Just place the cooled noodles in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating in the microwave. (Just note that the texture might be a little softer).
More air fryer recipes
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American, Canadian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash is a quick and easy low carb alternative to pasta and takes just 25 minutes to roast in the air fryer!
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash (2 – 2 1/2 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper.
Instructions
- Wash your spaghetti squash and pat it dry.
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise. To do this, use a knife to puncture the skin of the squash a number of times all over. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes to soften the squash. Use a chef’s knife to carefully cut the squash in half. (Make sure your cutting surface is secure).
- Scoop the seeds out and brush the flesh with oil and season with salt, onion powder and pepper.
- Place the squash halves cut side up in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 350F for 20-25 minutes, or until the squash is fork tender.
- Use a fork to pull apart the cooked squash flesh so it resembles strands of spaghetti.
- Serve the noodles warm on their own or with your favourite toppings.
Notes
- If you soften the squash in the microwave, make sure you poke holes in the squash so steam can escape. If you don’t, the squash may explode in the microwave.
- Roast the squash cut side up so the oil and seasonings don’t drip out of the basket.
- Make sure your spaghetti squash will fit in your air fryer. I recommend using small ones that are 2 1/2 pounds or less.
- Air frying time will vary depending on how large your squash is and the size, brand and model of your air fryer.
- I used a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer and two squash halves fit nicely in the basket. If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to buy a smaller squash or air fry the halves separately.
- Be sure to check out the other sections above the recipe card for more detailed advice and suggestions for making this recipe.
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