Easy Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
Air fryer spaghetti squash is my favorite way to cook spaghetti squash because it’s so much faster than roasting it in the oven. The squash comes out tender without getting mushy, and the strands still have enough texture to hold up to your favorite sauce. Serve it as an easy vegetable side dish, mix it with pasta or top it with marinara for a simple meal.
I’ve been making spaghetti squash this way since at least 2020, and the air fryer completely changed how often I make it. I love winter squash, but spaghetti squash used to feel like too much of a project between cutting it and waiting for it to cook. Now I soften the squash first so it’s easier to cut, then cook the halves in the air fryer. It’s faster, easier and gives me the texture I want every time.
If you love how quickly the air fryer cooks winter squash, try my air fryer delicata squash or air fryer butternut squash next. My air fryer sweet potato cubes are another easy option when you need a quick vegetable for dinner.
Step by step instructions
Start by carefully cutting two slits in the spaghetti squash. Microwave on high for 4 minutes to soften the skin (or place in a 375F oven for 5-6 minutes). Carefully remove from the microwave, now you can cut the squash in half much easier. Remove the seeds. Place the spaghetti squash in the air fryer basket, skin side down, cut side up. If your basket is not large enough to fit both halves of the squash cut side up, you will have to stack them on top of each other or cook each half separately. Cook at 375F for 25-30 minutes. Check the squash, you should be able to stick a knife easily through to test that it’s completely done. Shred the strands with a fork and serve.
Tips for success
- Choose a spaghetti squash that will fit in the basket of your air fryer. This usually means that you will need to get a smaller sized spaghetti squash or be willing to cook your squash in halves or quarters in the air fryer to accommodate the larger size. Typically a squash around 2 pounds works well.
- When picking out a spaghetti squash at the store, you are looking for a squash that is yellow, not pale or almost white. The color of the squash indicates its ripeness. Be sure the skin is unblemished (no bruises or dark marks that would indicate it was punctured). You want a squash that feels heavy for its size.
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash (30 Minute Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash (about 2 pounds)
- 1 pinch salt (optional)
Instructions
- Start by piercing the squash with a knife 1-2 times (like a baked potato) so you can microwave the squash to soften the skin. This is an optional step. Microwave the squash whole, 4 minutes on high. If you don't want to use the microwave you can also put the squash in a preheating oven for 5 minutes or so. This is an optional step.Once the squash has cooked in the microwave, carefully remove it (it may be hot).1 spaghetti squash (about 2 pounds)
- Cut the squash in half from the stem to the bottom, starting in the middle of the squash. Cut in small pieces (the skin is thick) from the middle down towards the bottom of the squash. Work your way around the squash, stop at the stem. Use your hands to pull the squash apart, don't try to cut through the stem. Once you have two halves of the squash, use a spoon to remove the seeds.
- Place the squash cut side up, skin side down in the air fryer. If you have a smaller air fryer like I do, you may have to stack the squash on top of each other. You want the bottom half to be skin side down, and the top half to be skin side up.
- Place in the air fryer and cook at 375F for 25 minutes. If you have to stack the spaghetti squash, you will want to pause cooking after it's been cooking for 15 minutes. Carefully flip the squash so that the one on the bottom is now on the top. Continue cooking.
- After 25 minutes, carefully remove one half of the squash from the air fryer (use tongs, an oven mit hand or 2 forks). Take a fork and scrape the flesh, starting where the seeds once were and working your way towards the skin. You will see that noodles are forming. Take a bite of one of the noodles to see if the squash is cooked through. If it still tastes like raw squash, you will need to cook it about 5 more minutes.
- If needed, place squash back in air fryer and cook 5 more minutes at 375F.
- After done cooking, carefully remove both halves of the squash and scrape the flesh, creating the spaghetti squash noodles. Add salt as needed.1 pinch salt (optional)
Equipment
Recipe Notes
- Be careful handling the squash. It will be hot after microwaving and very hot after air frying. Use oven mitts and tongs as needed.
- Start checking for doneness after 25–30 minutes. Rake a few strands with a fork and taste them. If they’re still too firm, air fry for another 5 minutes.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your spaghetti squash and your air fryer.
- If the halves have to be stacked in a basket air fryer, switch their positions after about 15 minutes so they cook more evenly.
Nutrition Information
My favorite ways to serve spaghetti squash
I usually keep spaghetti squash pretty simple and either mix it with pasta or serve it like pasta with marinara or pesto. Mixing the two is one of my favorite ways to add more vegetables to a pasta dish without trying to make the spaghetti squash replace the pasta entirely.
If you want to do something a little different, try my Greek spaghetti squash salad, which uses the squash as the base of a fresh, flavorful salad. I also love this creamy Asian spaghetti squash with cabbage and a thick, creamy dressing. Both are really fun ways to use spaghetti squash beyond the usual pasta-style dishes.
Common questions
How to easily cut spaghetti squash
Spaghetti squash has a very thick skin and can be difficult to cut when it’s raw. Pierce the squash a few times with a knife, similar to how you would pierce a potato, then microwave it for about 4 minutes. This helps soften the skin so it’s much easier to cut in half.
If it’s still difficult to cut, microwave it for another minute or two before trying again. Use a sharp knife and always cut away from your body.
If you don’t like using the microwave, place the pierced squash in a preheating oven for 5-6 minutes.
Why is spaghetti squash watery?
Spaghetti squash gets watery when you over cook it. Overcooking the squash can be easy to do in the microwave, in the Instant pot, or in the slow cooker. Cooking the spaghetti squash in the oven or the air fryer helps keep it from getting watery. The constant air flow in the air fryer helps quickly cook the squash without overcooking it.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
I have the best resource for you! My top 3 ways to cook spaghetti squash quickly (using the oven, microwave and instant pot).
