If you are looking for a low-carb or keto alternative to noodles, air fryer spaghetti squash is the most quick and easy option! Much faster (less than 30 minutes!) than being roasted in the oven, this method creates the best texture for noodles.
This recipe is so versatile and is great to serve for dinner with pesto, alfredo, or marinara sauce along with ground beef or meatballs. You can even try it as a side dish with a little garlic, parmesan, salt and pepper.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick: Air fryer spaghetti squash is cooked much faster than oven-roasting it and has more taste, flavor, and structure than microwaving it.
- Healthy, low-carb pasta noodle replacement. Keto-friendly noodles are a great pasta replacement thanks to it’s neutral flavor and noodle-like structure. No oil needed, low calorie, yet also filling and satisfying.
- Great base recipe: It works great for eating with meatballs, cacio e pepe, or making into ground beef, parmesan and tomato sauce lasagna stuffed boats.
- Best cooking method for avoiding soggy noodles!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Spaghetti Squash: Use a small one to air fry it whole or cut it in half if using a larger one. Easier to cut, more ripe squash should have a golden yellow color.
- Optional Olive oil, salt & pepper: Optional for air frying but you can choose to use them before you air fry if you are not adding the noodles as a base to another recipe.
How to Make This Recipe
This is a step by step walkthrough of how to cook this recipe. Exact cook time and temperatures are available in the recipe card at the bottom.
Step 1
Wash the outsides of the spaghetti squash.
Carefully poke several holes all around using a fork or knife. If cutting it in half, use a pumpkin knife to cut it, and then use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to scoop out the seeds prior to air frying.
Step 2
Place squash cut side down onto basket. If making a whole air fryer spaghetti squash, set it in the center of the basket.
Step 3
Air fry at 360F for 20-25 minutes depending on the size. If using a whole squash, flip it over halfway through air frying.
The squash will be done once the outside can be pierced easily with a fork and the strands come apart from the rind easily.
Allow the it to cool slightly before moving to a bowl and using a fork to pull the squash noodles from the rind. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
Expert Tips
- How to easily cut whole spaghetti squash: Poke holes in the squash and then microwave it for 2-3 minutes to slightly soften the outside. Using a pumpkin knife, carefully cut off the stem and then turn it upright to cut vertically.
- Eating as a side dish? Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before air frying.
- Different air frying models and different-sized squash will result in varying cook times. I’ve tested this recipe using both the Ninja and Ultrean. Check the squash for around 15 minutes while cooking to monitor progress.
Serving, Storage, Freezing and Reheating Tips
- Serving: Once cooked, separate the strands and serve with pesto, alfredo, or marinara sauce and meatballs or season with garlic, parmesan, salt and pepper and serve as a side dish.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Once cooled it can be stored in a freezer-safe container and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 1-minute increments until heated through.
Recipe FAQs
The time to cook will depend on the size of it and whether you decide to keep it whole or cut it in half.
Generally, 20-25 minutes will be enough time to air-fry spaghetti squash of medium size. For larger sized one, add additional minutes.
The safest way to cut a whole one in half is by using a pumpkin knife and use small motions to saw through it.
You can soften the outside of the squash by placing it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Then, cut off the stem and turn it upright to cut vertically.
I recommend 360F for air-frying spaghetti squash.
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Easy Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
Air fryer spaghetti squash is quick and easy to make using the whole squash or cut in half to make squash boats. Serve as a side or as noodles for a healthy dinner recipe that is gluten-free and low-carb.
Instructions
-
Wash the outsides of the squash.Carefully poke several holes all around it using a fork or knife. If cutting the squash in half, use a pumpkin knife to cut it, and then use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to scoop out the seeds prior to air frying.
-
Place it cut side down onto basket. If air frying whole spaghetti squash, set it in the center of the basket.
-
Air fry squash at 360F for 20-25 minutes depending on the size of your squash. If using it as a whole, flip the squash over halfway through air frying.Allow it to cool slightly before moving it to a bowl and using a fork to pull the squash noodles from the rind. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
Notes
- How to easily cut whole spaghetti squash: Poke holes in the squash and then microwave it for 2-3 minutes to slightly soften the outside. Using a pumpkin knife, carefully cut off the stem and then turn it upright to cut vertically.
- Serving: Once cooked, separate the strands and serve with pesto, alfredo, or marinara sauce and meatballs or season with garlic, parmesan, salt, and pepper and serve as a side dish.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Once cooled, it can be stored in a freezer-safe container and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 1-minute increments until heated through.