Crazy for noodles but do not want the carbs? Keto air fryer spaghetti squash with parmesan is a genuine pasta hack, buttery and crunchy on top with cheese running all through it.
This post may contain affiliate link(s). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See Disclosure.
This cooks much faster in the air fryer than in a regular oven, and this is an effortless side dish or even a meatless main.
Look for a squash that is oval, bright yellow, and firm to the touch. It gives a bit of a hollow sound when you knock on it.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases. For more information, see my Privacy Policy.
Jump-start your keto success! Grab a copy of my 4-week Easy Keto Menu Plan or check out my other cookbooks to help you along.
Join our Facebook group for friendly keto support, and for videos on how to make these recipes, subscribe to my YouTube channel!
Chef Jenn’s Take on Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash with Parmesan
Taste before over-salting. The squash needs a fair bit of salt on its own, but the cheese and topping are also salty, so hold off deciding until you taste the finished dish.
Use a stainless steel spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy bits, and compost them if you can. Use the back of a spoon to spread the oil evenly over the cut squash. Fluff the strands right in the shell rather than removing them first. Cover with foil if it starts browning too fast in the air fryer. Serve it right in the skin too, it looks pretty and the shell is compostable.
If you want this to be a genuinely vegetarian dish, swap in a vegetarian Parmesan, since traditional Parmesan is typically made with animal rennet.
Spaghetti squash is sold by weight, so the price adds up quickly on a bigger one, and it is usually cheapest when in season in the fall. Some crunch left in the strands is fine, do not wait for it to go fully soft or it can turn to mush instead of holding its shape.
What You’ll Love About Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash with Parmesan
- Works as an effortless side dish or a meatless main.
- A genuine pasta hack, buttery and crunchy with cheese throughout.
- Cooks much faster in the air fryer than a regular oven.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti squash – The bigger it is, the longer it’ll take to cook. A 2-pound spaghetti squash is sufficient for 4 side dishes or 2 entrees.
- Mozzarella cheese – Shred your own to avoid the anti-caking starch in pre-shredded cheese.
- Parmesan cheese – This is where a little goes a long way. Use a good-quality Parmesan for the very best flavor. Use vegetarian Parmesan cheese to make this a vegetarian keto recipe.
- Pork panko – Or crushed pork rinds.
- Dried thyme and garlic powder – Standard pantry staples.
- Avocado oil – For drizzling over the squash.
How to Make Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash with Parmesan
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Cut the spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds and stringy bits. Drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place the squash in the air fryer at 360°F for about 30 minutes, or until tender and the strands pull away easily with a fork. Fluff the spaghetti squash strands, still in the shell, and mix in the mozzarella cheese.
Mix the Parmesan, pork panko, dried thyme, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Spoon generously over the squash.
Air fry for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Heck ya! It’s not the lowest carb vegetable out there, but with just about 6 net carbs per generous 1/2 cup serving, this dish is totally keto.
I won’t lie to you – no. No it doesn’t taste like pasta. However, when load it with flavor and cheese it does bear a resemblance to pasta. It has a slightly sweet, herbal flavor that pairs well with many other flavors.
Yes, you sure can, and if you do, that spaghetti-like texture is going to turn into mush. Check it and if it strands easily with a fork, then it is cooked. It might be a bit crunchy still – that’s OK!
step By SteP Process
Add Preferred SourceAir Fryer Spaghetti Squash with Parmesan
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds spaghetti squash cut in half
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated or shredded. Sub vegetarian Parm to make this a vegetarian recipe.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup pork Panko or crushed pork rinds
Instructions
- Drizzle each spaghetti squash half with avocado oil and then sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
- Cook in your air fryer at 360-F for about 30 minutes or until the squash is tender and easily pulls into strands with your fork.
- Fluff the squash, leaving it inside the shell. Mix in the mozzarella.
- Add the topping – mix the Parmesan with pork Panko, dried thyme, and garlic powder in a small bowl and spoon it generously on top.
- Air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Taste before over-salting, the cheese and topping already carry plenty of salt.
- Fluff the strands right in the shell rather than removing them first.
- Cover with foil if it starts browning too fast in the air fryer.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
I’ve been looking for a way to make spaghetti squash faster and this air fryer method is awesome!
I completely forgot about spaghetti squash! Your recipe is a reminder to include this vegetable on our menu. Please, the recent purchase of an air fryer is another good reason to try your recipe. It sounds amazingly delicious!
Can’t wait to try this soon! My hubby is going to love this recipe! Excited to make this tonight!
I love the topping on this spaghetti squash! I have cooked one in my air fryer so I knew that was going to work on great. I like the added flavor of the topping.
I never would have thought to do spaghetti squash in the air fryer. Such a great idea!