Air Fryer Yellow and Zucchini Squash Chips Recipe
A simple and delicious recipe for crispy air fryer summer squash using yellow squash or zucchini coated in cornmeal and lightly seasoned. This healthy side dish is quick to prepare and perfectly golden with minimal oil for a guilt-free snack or accompaniment.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 medium yellow or zucchini summer squash (or 3 small; about 3 cups sliced)
- 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon table salt
- 1/3 cup cornmeal (not self-rising cornmeal mix)
- Olive oil or vegetable oil in an oil sprayer
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for about 3 minutes to ensure it’s ready for cooking.
- Prepare the squash: Slice the yellow squash or zucchini into 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch-thick slices. Lightly sprinkle salt on both sides of the slices and let them sit for about a minute. This draws out moisture and seasons the squash, helping the cornmeal coating adhere better. Spray or toss the slices with 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Coat with cornmeal: For small batches, press each slice into the cornmeal on a shallow dish. Alternatively, toss the slices together with the cornmeal in a bowl or zip-top bag to evenly coat them.
- Prepare the air fryer basket: Spray the preheated air fryer rack or basket with oil spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the cornmeal-coated squash in a single layer in the basket and generously spray the tops of the slices with oil spray.
- Air fry the squash: Cook the squash at 400°F for about 6 minutes. Then, shake or toss the slices, spray them generously with oil again, and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Remove the squash from the air fryer and drain on paper towels if necessary. Sprinkle with extra salt to taste and serve warm.
- Batch cooking tip: If your air fryer is small, cook the squash in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cooking in a single layer yields the best crispness, but if cooking all at once, expect to increase cooking time slightly and shake the basket twice during cooking.
Notes
- If you have a small air fryer, cook squash in batches to avoid overcrowding for best crispiness.
- Cooking in a single layer produces optimal texture, but cooking all slices at once is possible with slightly longer cooking time and intermittent shaking.
- Use an oil sprayer for even, light coverage of oil without excess fat.
- Draining cooked squash on paper towels helps remove any excess oil or moisture.
