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Air fryer spaghetti squash is a quick and easy recipe that is gluten free, low-carb, low calorie and so delicious. The best part about this spaghetti squash recipe is that it only takes 25 minutes to get perfectly cooked spaghetti squash every time!

I love spaghetti squash and now I am obsessed with this air fryer spaghetti squash that comes out so perfect and takes less time than it takes in the oven. It just gets wonderfully caramelized and tender and it’s so easy to make with only a few ingredients.
There are a few ways to cook spaghetti squash like in the instant pot or the oven but this air fryer method is my new favorite!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and easy way to cook squash!
- Low carb
- Low calorie
- Gluten free
- Great meal prep recipe!
How to select the best spaghetti squash
Choosing the best, most flavorful spaghetti squash can seem intimidating. So here are some helpful tips for what to look for so you can easily select the best one every time!
- Look for a squash that is bright yellow in color and not pale. The brighter yellow it is, the better! That means it is fresh and flavorful.
- Select a squash that is heavier rather than lighter. A heavier squash will have more flavor.
- You want to pick a spaghetti squash that has little to no dents or blemishes on it. A few is fine but make sure there are no mushy spots.
- Make sure it is firm and not soft.

Why cook spaghetti squash in the air fryer?
- It’s so fast and easy to do! You can cook it perfectly in less time than it takes in the oven.
- Easy cleanup and it frees up your oven.
- Air frying allows it to get that perfectly golden skin and caramelized outer layer that gives it so much flavor!
Ingredients you will need
- Spaghetti squash – A 2-3 pound squash is best so that it will fit in your air fryer.
- Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil or you can also use avocado oil.
- Salt & pepper – used to add great flavor to the squash.

How to make air fryer spaghetti squash
- Prepare the squash – Use a sharp kitchen knife to carefully cut the squash in half, lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds then brush the cut sides of the squash with olive oil and season it with salt and pepper. Expert tip: To make the squash easier to cut, you can poke holes in it with a fork, and microwave it for 3-4 minutes, then cut it in half.
- Cook – Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the cut sides of the squash, cut side up, side by side in the air fryer, and close and cook for 25 minutes.
- Serve – Once the squash is done cooking, carefully remove it from the air fryer. Use a fork to pull the strands of squash away from the skin and season it with some butter, salt, and pepper and fresh chopped basil or parsley. Serve hot!





Tips for the best air fryer spaghetti squash
- Select a squash that will fit in your air fryer – most air fryers can fit a 2-3 pound squash when it is cut in half lengthwise.
- Season the squash well – use some oil, salt, pepper, and any other spices you like since spaghetti squash can be slightly bland but can really soak up anything you flavor it with, similar to pasta.
- Check the squash – it is important to check the squash while it cooks ( about halfway through cooking) to ensure it is cooking properly and does not burn. Note: if the squash is too large and the top of it is closer to the top of the air fryer then it may burn so make sure to use a smaller squash and check it.
- Allow enough time for the squash to cook to your liking – most 2-3 pound squash will take around 25 minutes to cook all the way through in the air fryer. If you feel it is not done to the texture you like, then continue cooking it for a few more minutes. Note: if will cook a little bit more white it cools.
How long should you cook spaghetti squash in the air fryer?
This will depend on the size of your spaghetti squash and the type of air fryer you use. Most air fryers can fit a 2-3 pound squash which will take 25-30 minutes to fully cook in the air fryer if you cut it in half.
Can you cook whole spaghetti squash in the air fryer?
I believe it is possible to cook whole spaghetti squash in the air fryer but It would be difficult to fit it in most basket-type air fryers. That is why it is much easier to cut it in half and cook it that way.

How do you store spaghetti squash?
- To store a whole uncooked spaghetti squash – Keep it in a cool dry place, like a pantry for up to 3 months before cooking it.
- Storing an uncooked squash that has been cut in half – If you have cut the spaghetti squash in half but you haven’t cooked it yet, then you can just wrap it up in plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before cooking it.
- How to store cooked spaghetti squash – Once you have cooked the squash, you will need to let it cool completely then you can transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How do you reheat spaghetti squash in the air fryer?
You can easily reheat already cooked spaghetti squash halves in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes. To reheat the squash strands just place some parchment paper in the bottom of the air fryer and place the strands in and reheat them.

What if my squash doesn’t fit in my air fryer?
If your spaghetti squash is too big for your air fryer then you can try to trim the edges and bottom to make it fit. You can also cook one half at a time if needed as well.
Should Spaghetti Squash be crunchy?
Once the squash is cooked it should have a texture similar to al dente pasta. So it should be somewhat soft but not too soft and not very crunchy. If your squash is not soft enough or is still too crunchy for your liking then cook it for a few more minutes.
How do you cook spaghetti squash in the oven?
To cook spaghetti squash in the oven, prepare the squash as directed in this recipe. Then place it cut side down onto a lined baking sheet and roast it at 400 degrees F for 30-35 minutes until a knife can easily be inserted in the middle of the squash.
Recipe Variations
I kept this spaghetti squash recipe simple by only using oil, salt, and pepper to season it but here are a few other seasonings you could use.
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Chili powder
- Oregano or basil

More squash recipes to try!
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Sausage and Apple Stuffed Butternut Squash
- Simple Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
Other quick and easy air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Chickpeas
- Easy Air Fryer Mushrooms
- Best Air Fryer Broccoli
- Air Fryer Zucchini
- Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Did you try this air fryer spaghetti squash recipe? If you did then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear from you!
Print
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash – Easy and Healthy
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Air fryer spaghetti squash is a quick and easy recipe that is gluten-free, low-carb, low-calorie and so delicious. The best part about this spaghetti squash recipe is that it only takes 25 minutes to get perfectly cooked squash every time!
Ingredients
- 1 whole spaghetti squash – about 2–3 lbs
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the squash – stand the spaghetti squash upright and use a sharp kitchen knife to slice the squash in half cutting it right down the center. To make this easier, you can slice each of the ends off of the squash first before you slice it. You can also prick the squash all over with a fork then microwave it for a few minutes (about 3-4 minutes), which will help soften it up and make it easier to cut. Then use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
- Season – drizzle the olive oil over the cut side of each half of the squash then sprinkle each half evenly with some salt and pepper.
- Cook – preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place both halves of the squash into the air fryer basket, cut side up, side by side. If they don’t fit then you can trim them a littler using a kitchen knife. Then close the air fryer basket and cook the squash at 370 degrees F for 25 minutes. If you are using a larger spaghetti squash than it may take up to 30 minutes to cook.
- Serve – once the squash is done cooking, carefully remove it from the air fryer and use a fork to pull the strands away from the skin of the squash. Add some soft butter and another sprinkle of salt and pepper and some chopped basil for even more flavor and enjoy!
Notes
- Select a spaghetti squash that is bright yellow in color, heavy, firm and with little to no blemishes or holes in it. You also want to make sure there are not indents or mushy spots on the squash.
- Choose a 2-3 pound squash to ensure it will fit in your air fryer. Smaller air fryers (5.6 quart) can usually fit a 2lb squash while larger air fryers (7 quart) can fit a 3lb squash.
- You can store the cooked spaghetti squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Healthy side dishes
- Method: Air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer spaghetti squash, spaghetti squash, spaghetti squash recipe
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