You can enjoy delicious, perfectly roasted spaghetti squash as a low carb substitute for pasta. All you need is a spaghetti squash, an air fryer and 30 minutes.
Carb count - a cup of cooked squash is only 10g of carbs.
👩🏻🍳 Table of contents
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
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- 👩🏻🍳 Table of contents
- Carbs in spaghetti squash
- What to do with spaghetti squash
- What is a spaghetti squash?
- What does spaghetti squash taste like?
- Are spaghetti squash seeds edible?
- How to air fry spaghetti squash
- 🥘 Ingredients
- 🔪 Instructions
- Baked spaghetti squash
- Microwaved spaghetti squash
- Substitutions
- 🧂 Seasoning ideas
- 🍽 How to serve
- 🍳 Equipment you'll need
- 🥡 How to store
- How to freeze
- How to make ahead
- 💭 Top tips
- Frequently asked questions
- Air fryer spaghetti squash recipe card
- More spaghetti squash recipes
Cooking spaghetti squash in an air fryer is easy. You'll love this recipe because the spaghetti squash is prepared in a way that results in long noodles that actually look just like spaghetti noodles!
Carbs in spaghetti squash
A cup (155 grams) of cooked spaghetti squash has 10 grams of total carbs per serving. Since spaghetti squash varies in size, you'll need to measure out your portions. A spaghetti squash can weigh anywhere from 1-5 pounds.
Compared to a cup of cooked pasta, which has 45 grams of carbs, spaghetti squash is an excellent low carb substitute!
What to do with spaghetti squash
Once you cook spaghetti squash you can use it in all kinds of recipes. Make spaghetti and meatballs, top it with Caprese salad and bake it until the cheese is warm and gooey, or simply season it with grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper!
What is a spaghetti squash?
Spaghetti squash, also called vegetable spaghetti, is a neutral-flavored Winter squash. When cooked, the flesh turns golden-yellow like pasta and separates into long, thin strands that resembles spaghetti noodles.
What does spaghetti squash taste like?
Spaghetti squash tastes like a mild Winter squash. It does not taste like pasta. However, since it has a subtle, neutral flavor it works well as a pasta substitute. Plus, the noodle-like strands hold pasta sauces really well.
Are spaghetti squash seeds edible?
Spaghetti squash seeds roasted in the air fryer until light and crispy are a tasty snack or topping for soups and salads. You can eat spaghetti squash seeds just as you do roasted pumpkin seeds.
Just separate the seeds from the pulp, toss in a bit of oil and salt, spread in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes at 375°F, giving it a shake half way through.
How to air fry spaghetti squash
🥘 Ingredients
- spaghetti squash
- oil
Where to buy spaghetti squash
You can find spaghetti squash at most supermarkets, grocery stores, and farmer's markets.
🔪 Instructions
You’ll be relieved to know that you don’t need to remove the skin from spaghetti squash! It's incredibly simple to prepare- just cut the squash in half, trim off the ends, remove the seeds, and roast like any other roasted squash. You'll have a delicious, hot meal in no time!
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
Step 2: Cut in half crosswise.
Step 3: Remove the seeds and pulp with a spoon.
Step 4: Brush the cut sides of the squash with oil.
Step 5: Air fry for 30 minutes at 350°F.
Step 6: Squeeze squash to loosen skin.
Step 7: Peel away skin.
Step 8: Arrange “noodles” on a plate
Baked spaghetti squash
If you prefer to use an oven get the recipe for baked spaghetti squash here.
Microwaved spaghetti squash
If you prefer to use a microwave get the recipe for microwaved spaghetti squash here.
Substitutions
- Oil - try butter if you are a butter lover
🧂 Seasoning ideas
- Pasta sauce
- Alfredo sauce
- Bolognese sauce
- Cacio e pepe
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Herbs - try fresh parsley, chives, basil and oregano
- Grated cheese
- Olives
- Red pepper flakes
- Vegan Parmesan
- Garlic Powder
🍽 How to serve
Enjoy spaghetti squash as a pasta swap or side dish.
🍳 Equipment you'll need
- Knife (a serrated knife makes cutting the squash easy)
- Cutting Board
- Spoon to scoop out the seeds
- Air fryer
🥡 How to store
Before cutting or cooking spaghetti squash, store it somewhere cool and dark like a cellar, pantry or fridge. It should last between two and three months.
Once you’ve roasted your squash, be sure to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to a week.
How to freeze
Roasted spaghetti squash can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for 10-12 months.
How to make ahead
This is a great vegetable to make ahead of time for weekly meal prep.
After roasting, let it cool, then store in the fridge for up to a week. Leave the skin on so that it holds its shape.
Reheat in air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F.
💭 Top tips
Follow these cooking tips for best results:
- Use a serrated blade to easily saw the squash in half.
- This recipe calls for ½ of a whole squash. This can fit in most air fryer models. Feel free to use a whole squash if you can fit one in your air fryer model.
- Never use spray oil from aerosol cans for air frying. They contain additives that are known to damage air fryers. Use 100% oil from a spray can or brush it on your food.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Quickly and easily!
Yes. Air frying spaghetti squash caramelizes it to a delicious golden brown on the outside and makes it soft and flavorful on the inside.
This recipe cooks the spaghetti squash at 350°F for 30 minutes. This cooks the squash all the way through so that it is tender, not raw and crunchy on the inside. The lower temperature also prevents the outer squash from burning as the inner flesh cooks.
Air fryer spaghetti squash recipe card
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
You can enjoy delicious, perfectly roasted spaghetti squash as a low carb substitute for pasta. All you need is a spaghetti squash, an air fryer and 30 minutes. A cup of cooked squash is only 10g of carbs.
Ingredients
- ½ spaghetti squash
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Cut the spaghetti squash in half crosswise, then trim off the end.
- Remove the seeds and pulp with a spoon.
- Brush the cut sides of the squash with oil.
- Place squash in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 30 minutes at 350°F or until the strands separate easily with a fork.
- Let cool.
- Use a dish towel to loosen flesh from skin.
- Peel off skin.
- Use your fingers to arrange spaghetti squash “noodles” on a plate.
Notes
- This recipe calls for ½ of a whole squash. Feel free to use a whole squash if your air fryer can fit it.
- A serrated knife makes cutting the squash easy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: sides
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Linda says
Never thought about making spaghetti squash in an air fryer and now I'm addicted! Easy to prep and clean up, delicious, and simply healthy-ish
Mandy Applegate says
I didn’t realise it was so easy to make spaghetti in the air fryer, perfect recipe!
Shruthi says
Love spaghetti squash and with just two ingredients, it’s hard to beat this recipe! Thank you!!
Lynn Polito says
I love spaghetti squash and this was so delicious!!
Jennifer says
I loved how easy and simple this was! Uncomplicated flavors, easy recipe. That's a winner to me and I'll be making this again!
Claire says
So easy!!!
We recently decided to do two days a week low carb and this is perfect for my partner and I while the kids are having regular spaghetti.
Rupali says
I love this recipe. I never thought I could do this in an air fryer. A perfect substitute for noodles.
Sachi says
I'm so happy to hear that! Enjoy!
Alex Bala says
I love spaghetti squash, this is a great way to make it. Set it forget it and it comes out perfect. Thanks!
Sachi says
Yay! I'm so glad that you've enjoyed it!