Name: Air Fryer Yellow Squash
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 medium yellow squash (sliced into ½-inch half-moons or quarters); 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil); ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ¼ teaspoon chipotle chili powder (mild or hot to taste); ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon onion powder; ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste); ½ cup sour cream; 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; Pinch of salt

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Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: 25 minutes
METHOD: Air fryer
OTHER TOOLS: knife and cutting board
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 10

Air Fryer Yellow Squash is a simple and delicious way to eat your veggies! This healthy side dish needs no breading and features a smoky seasoning that flavors every bite. Best of all is the fresh and tangy lime crema on the side, adding the perfect balance.

What’s To Love About This Recipe

Has yellow squash ever been this tasty? With a few additions, enjoy a bold, smoky flavor with just a hint of heat from chipotle chili powder. You get so much flavor packed into every bite!
The prep is simple, and the air fryer keeps the cooking time short! After slicing and seasoning, these yellow squash rounds can be ready in about 15 minutes, tops!
If you need a quick way to prep veggies for your weeknight meals, try this delicious choice. With minimal ingredients, it’s easy to throw together without much planning.
What really sets this recipe apart is the tangy, fresh lime crema! Lime juice brightens and balances the spices, and the creaminess provides a nice contrast to the seasoned squash.
Customize the seasoning for different meal flavor profiles! It’s the perfect summer side dish that’s healthy, simple, and bursting with flavor.

Ingredients Needed

Yellow squash – Use 2 medium yellow squash, sliced into ½-inch half-moons or quarters for quick cooking. It’s best to use medium-sized squash for even cooking; larger squash can be more watery and less tender.
Olive oil – Olive (or avocado oil) helps crisp the edges without drying out the squash. The seasonings also adhere to the oil, adding flavor to every bite.
Smoked paprika – Smoked paprika is a great addition for warmth without being too spicy. It adds a peppery element with a hint of smokiness.
Chipotle chili powder – Chipotle chili powder is made from dried, ground-up jalapeño peppers. Add more or less to taste for milder or spicier bites of squash.
Garlic powder and onion powder – Together, garlic and onion powders create a deeper seasoning base that enhances the flavor of the squash.
Salt – Add a bit of salt to finish out the seasoning, or sprinkle it over the squash to taste before serving.

Lime Crema Ingredients

Sour cream – Use sour cream for a rich base that blends perfectly with fresh lime juice.
Fresh lime juice – Fresh lime juice adds brightness to the crema and enhances the flavor of the seasoned squash after cooking.
Pinch of salt – Add a little salt to the crema to finish it off!

ingredients to include two yellow squash, bottle of olive oil, one lime, small white bowl of sour cream, wooden bowl and spoon of salt, and white bowl containing seasonings

How To Make Air Fryer Squash

Preheat the air fryer to 380 ℉.
Place sliced squash in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.

clear bowl containing sliced squash, surrounded by wooden fork and bottle of olive oil

In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Sprinkle over the squash and toss again until evenly coated.

closeup of white bowl containing mixed seasonings, with clear bowl of sliced squash, wooden fork and bottle of olive oil in background

clear bowl containing seasoned sliced squash, surrounded by wooden fork and bottle of olive oil

Arrange the squash in a single layer in the air fryer basket (cook in batches if needed).
Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until tender and lightly browned.

overhead view of air fried squash with small white bowl of sour cream on side

Mix together sour cream, lime juice, and salt.

closeup of one lime, white bowl of sour cream and wooden bowl and spoon of salt

Remove squash from the air fryer and serve immediately with lime crema.

closeup of hand holding slice of squash dipped in sour cream with white bowl and plate of squash in background

Pro Tips

Medium-sized squash will produce the best results in the air fryer.
Slice squash into ½-inch rounds or half-moons for the best texture in the air fryer.
To allow even heat circulation, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the squash in batches if needed.
Pat the squash dry before seasoning to help prevent sogginess.
Shake the basket halfway through for even cooking.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Change up the recipe by swapping yellow squash with zucchini, or use a mix of both. Be sure to cut the pieces evenly for uniform cooking.
Use avocado oil instead of olive oil, but watch for quicker browning in the air fryer.
Try other seasonings like lemon pepper, garlic and Parmesan, or an Italian herb blend.
Add fresh chopped herbs, such as parsley, basil, and cilantro, after cooking for a bright twist.
Adjust the amount of chipotle powder to control the spice level.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Squash

This is a delicious veggie to add to plenty of different options. The air fryer browns it nicely and keeps it simple, which is perfect for serving with grilled meats like Easy BBQ Chicken Thighs on the Grill, Salmon, or a roasted chicken.

Yellow squash also makes a great addition to a breakfast or brunch plate of eggs, Chicken Sausage, and Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes.

Lastly, add seasoned squash to grain bowls with Instant Pot Quinoa, Wild Rice, or salads for extra flavor, and drizzle the lime crema over the top.

overhead view of white platter filled with air fried squash with gold fork, surrounded by small white bowl of sour cream and blue and white striped dish towel

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store leftover squash and crema separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

To reheat, add squash back to the air fryer at 350 ℉ for 3-4 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving to preserve the texture.

Air Fryer Yellow Squash

Jennifer Draper

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Serving Size

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

2 medium yellow squash sliced into ½-inch half-moons or quarters
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon chipotle chili powder mild or hot to taste
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
½ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Pinch of salt

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 380 ℉
Place sliced squash in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat
In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, then sprinkle over squash and toss again until evenly coated
Arrange squash in a single layer in air fryer basket (cook in batches if needed)
Air fry for 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until tender and lightly browned
Mix together sour cream, lime juice, and salt
Remove squash from air fryer and serve immediately with lime crema

Notes

Store leftover squash and crema separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350 ℉ for 3-4 minutes, avoiding the microwave to preserve texture.
Medium-sized squash gives the best air fryer results.
Slice into ½-inch rounds or half-moons for the best texture.
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and cook squash in batches if needed.
Pat the squash pieces dry before adding the seasoning to prevent sogginess.
Shake the basket halfway through for even cooking.