Fried squash is an extremely popular Southern summer side dish or appetizer. I am more than happy to finally introduce it to my kitchen in the UK. Zucchini is available year-round in the UK. But yellow squash only pops up in limited shops and farmers’ markets in late spring and summer. I was recently able to get my hands on some, though. So I couldn’t wait to put it to work in some classic yellow squash recipes! With a cornmeal coating, this fried yellow squash is wonderfully crisp and golden outside with a tender middle. Enjoy it served at a BBQ, or as part of a larger meal. Plus, you can make it with either yellow squash or zucchini! Zucchini and yellow squash are interchangeable in most recipes. So you might also enjoy using them to make a squash casserole, grilled zucchini, air-fried fries, or even pan-fried zucchini. It’s practically impossible to run out of ways to enjoy them!
The Ingredients
Yellow squash: Also called summer squash. Or you could also make fried zucchini (or a combination of the two) with this recipe. Egg: Needed when breading the squash. Milk: Use regular or (unsweetened) dairy-free milk. Flour: Regular all-purpose flour. Cornmeal: I prefer to use yellow cornmeal over white, but either will work. Use fine cornmeal for the crispiest results. Alternatively, use a cornmeal substitute. Salt & Pepper. You can season with other spices too, like garlic powder, paprika, etc. Check the Recipe Notes below for more suggestions. Oil: Use any neutral, high heat frying oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, etc. Avoid oils with a low smoke point (like olive oil).
How to Make Fried Squash?
Step 1: Prepare the Summer Squash Slices
First, rinse and dry the summer squash (or zucchini) and cut it into slices around ¼-inch thick. You can use a sharp knife, though a mandoline or food processor slicing disk will provide the most consistent results. You can slice it anywhere between 1/4-1/8-inch. The thinner you slice the pieces, the more chip-like they’ll be. Then, sprinkle the slices with salt. Leave them spread across a wire rack or drain in a colander over the sink. Meanwhile, prepare the breading station. You’ll need three small plates or bowls. In the first, whisk the egg and milk. In the second, add the cornmeal and pepper. Finally, in the third, add the flour. After 25-30 minutes of draining, use clean paper towels to pat the squash pieces dry. There’s no need to rinse them.
Step 2: Dredge the Sliced Squash
Dip each slice first into the flour, shaking away any excess. Then, dip them in the egg mixture and finally into the cornmeal. Meanwhile, prepare the oil. You can either use a deep-fat fryer or a deep, large skillet. Add about ½-inch of oil and heat over medium heat.
Step 3: Fry the Squash
Before adding any food to the pan, make sure the oil is hot. If you don’t have an oil thermometer/digital laser thermometer, use a wooden skewer or wooden spoon to dip into the oil. When the oil is ready, bubbles should form around the wood immediately and float up to the surface of the oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully transfer some of the breaded squash slices to the oil with a wide slotted spoon. Cook the yellow squash for 1-2 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crisp. It’s important not to add too many to the pan at once so the oil temperature and cooking are not affected. I recommend adding enough for a single layer, with no overlapping and some space to spare. Finally, remove the fried squash from the oil. Transfer it to a couple of layers of kitchen paper to soak up any excess oil. Repeat with all the remaining squash, then enjoy immediately or place them on a cooling rack until you’re ready to serve.
How To Avoid Soggy Fried Squash?
There are a few top tips to achieve wonderfully crispy fried squash.
Don’t skip the salting stage: This will draw out excess liquid from the squash to keep it crisp. Ensure the oil is hot enough: You need hot oil between 350-375ºF/176-190ºC for deep frying. Either use an oil thermometer or the wooden skewer method above.
You can also test the oil temperature with a kernel of popcorn. Place it in the pan as the oil is heating. It will pop when the oil is between 350-360ºF/176-182ºC.
Don’t overcrowd the pan! This goes hand in hand with the above, as it can cause the temperature to drop and lead to soggy slices. Slice the pieces evenly: If some are thinner or thicker than others, they’ll fry at different rates. Then you end up with some overdone and some underdone.
Storage Instructions
To keep warm: place the fried squash on a baking sheet in the oven at 250ºF/120ºC until serving. Store: As with most deep-fried foods, this is best enjoyed immediately from the fryer for the crispiest, best results. Allow any leftovers to cool entirely. Then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days. Reheat: After storing, the fried summer squash will be very soft. Bring back some of the crispiness by reheating them under a broiler or in an air fryer/oven. Do so for several minutes at 375ºF/190ºC.
Can you freeze the pre-cooked breaded zucchini/squash?
It’s possible to flash freeze the pieces, not touching, on a large tray. Then transfer them to a large Ziplock bag. You can freeze the breaded squash for several months.
What to Server with Fried Squash?
You can enjoy the fried squash as an appetizer with dipping sauces (like marinara, ranch, yogurt dill sauce, etc.). Or as a side with:
Burgers – like this sweet potato black bean burger or pumpkin bean burger. Chicken shish tawook and grilled chicken dish. Lebanese lamb kofta and kebab. Marinated tofu or tempeh. Cooked fish like baked salmon or grilled fish. BBQ skewers like shrimp skewers, chicken skewers, tofu skewers, etc. Add to salad and grain bowls. Serve the fried yellow squash over and alongside pasta dishes. Enjoy it with other side dishes like fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and more!
It’s the perfect quick and easy dish for cookouts/BBQs! Let me know in the comments what you serve it with!
More Simple Vegetable Side Dishes
Air fryer zucchini fries 10-minute air fryer green beans Caramelized onions Roasted onions Fried Mushrooms Recipe
If you try this simple fried squash recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
