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Southern Fried Squash

Southern Fried Squash made with fresh yellow squash is a mouthwatering country dish that features tender slices of squash coated in a crispy, golden-brown crust!

A SIMPLE SIDE DISH RECIPE

This Fried Squash recipe is one of my all-time favorites when the veggies start popping up in my garden. I could eat it every single day, it is that good! Squash is also a super affordable vegetable and there is so much you can do with it (like my favorite Squash Casserole!) This whips up pretty quickly and can be served all by itself, in a sandwich with lettuce and tomato or with a dipping sauce. Let’s dig in!

A plate with some Fried Squash and dip.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can fried squash be made in the air fryer?

Yes, you can air fry squash! Keep in mind, it does not come out as crispy as frying in oil but it can be done. Cut and prep the squash just as you did for this recipe. Then place the pieces in the Air Fryer basket. Spray with olive oil nonstick cooking spray. Set the timer for 10 minutes, then flip after 5 minutes and spray again, until lightly browned and tender.

How do I make this in the oven?

Again, it doesn’t come out as crispy but it is possible. Start by preheating your oven to 350F. Cut the squash as you would for this version. Prep the squash just as you did in this recipe. Then, spread the squash on a baking sheet (topped with a wire rack that has been sprayed with nonstick spray) and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway through.

Why is my fried squash soggy?

Fried squash can be soggy for a variety of reasons. It might not be cooked long enough, or the temperature of the oil used to fry it might be too low. The moisture content of the squash can also affect its texture when fried – some varieties are naturally moist, while others are dryer. Make sure that you take the squash out of the pan or deep fryer promptly after cooking; leaving it in too long can cause it to become soggy. We like to place the cooked squash on a wire rack on top of a sheet pan lined with paper towels.

What oil is best for frying squash?

The best kind of oil to use when frying squash is an oil that has a high smoke point. High smoke point oils are best because they will not burn or break down as easily as other types of oils. I always use peanut oil as I think it doesn’t stink up the house as much as other oils. Be sure to heat your oil to 350F degrees before adding the squash to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Can you fry squash in olive oil?

Yes, you certainly can fry squash in olive oil. Olive oil is a great choice for frying as it has a higher smoke point than some other cooking oils and won’t burn or smoke as easily.your favorite side dishes and enjoy!

Could I use zucchini?

Yes, zucchini is just another type of squash and also works great with this recipe. So does eggplant!

How do I keep the cooked squash warm while I work on the next batch?

Great question! Nothing like chomping into a cold squash bite and it being cold. Nobody wants that. So, what I like to do is, place the cooked squash on a parchment lined baking sheet in the oven (on warm or on the lowest setting that it can go) so you can keep the finished pieces warm without continuing to bake them.

How to reheat leftovers?

In a preheat oven (350F degrees) for a few minutes until heated thoroughly. Place them on a wire rack that is sitting on a sheet tray. This helps prevent them from steaming on the bottom when you place them in the oven. Or try reheating in the air fryer for a couple of minutes. I’d skip the microwave, they always turn out soggy in there.

How to store leftovers?

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and should be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze cooked squash?

Yes, cooked fried squash can be frozen. Just flash freeze it first, then place the pieces in a freezer safe container before freezing them for up to 3 months.

A plate filled with fried squash pieces

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • yellow squash
  • all-purpose flour
  • yellow cornmeal
  • seasoned salt
  • black pepper
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • buttermilk
  • large egg
  • oil, for frying
Yellow squash, all purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, buttermilk and egg.

HOW TO MAKE FRIED SQUASH

Start by slicing the squash into rounds that are about 1/4 inch thick. If you have a mandolin available, this can make the job easier. Set the sliced squash aside.

A bowl of cut yellow squash.

In a medium-sized shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well. In a separate medium-sized shallow bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture.

A small bowl with buttermilk, egg, and flour.

Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet (I like cast iron) until it reaches a temperature of 350°F. Take a slice of squash and dip it into the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Next, coat the squash with the flour mixture on both sides, shaking off any excess flour.

A shallow bowl with a flour mixture with a fork picking up a covered piece of squash.

Carefully add the squash to the hot oil and fry until it is lightly golden on both sides, flipping a few times to ensure even browning. This should take around 4 minutes in total.

A skillet with oil frying a few pieces of squash.

Once the squash is cooked, remove it from the oil using a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.

Fresh fried squash on a paper towel.

Then, immediately place it on a wire rack set over a sheet tray.

A wire rack with squash over a sheet pan.

Repeat the dipping and frying process with all of the squash slices in batches until they are all cooked. Serve hot and enjoy!

A hand dipping a piece of fried squash in ranch.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Looking up close at a bunch of Fried Squash coins.

Southern Fried Squash

Southern Fried Squash made with yellow squash is a mouthwatering country dish that features tender slices of squash coated in a crispy, golden-brown crust!
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound yellow squash (about 2 large)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour divided use
  • 2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
  • 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg, well beaten
  • oil for frying

Instructions

  • Start by slicing the squash into rounds that are about 1/4 inch thick. If you have a mandolin available, this can make the job easier. Set the sliced squash aside.
  • In a medium-sized shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well.
  • In a separate medium-sized shallow bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture.
  • Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet (I like cast iron) until it reaches a temperature of 350°F.
  • Take a slice of squash and dip it into the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Next, coat the squash with the flour mixture on both sides, shaking off any excess flour.
  • Carefully add the squash to the hot oil and fry until it is lightly golden on both sides, flipping a few times to ensure even browning. This should take around 4 minutes in total. Once the squash is cooked, remove it from the oil using a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Then, immediately place it on a wire rack set over a sheet tray.
  • Repeat the dipping and frying process with all of the squash slices in batches until they are all cooked. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
  • You can fry these in the Air Fryer or bake them in the oven using our instructions in the FAQ section. 
  • Use whatever cooking oil you prefer that has a high smoke point. 
  • Be sure to place your squash pieces on a wire rack over a sheet pan to cool and drip any excess stuff onto it. Also, this helps to make sure you don’t steam cook the bottoms. 
  • Make sure to try your best to evenly cut the squash so they cook evenly. 
  • Use whatever dipping sauce you like. We use ranch, bloomin’ onion sauce, sriracha mayo and more. 
  • Store already cooked squash in the oven on warm while you work on cooking the rest in batches. 
  • Store leftover squash pieces in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. 
  • I tend to make these on the lighter brown side since they burn QUICK. 
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1213mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Recipe Rating




11 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Tastes like Texas. Delicious. I used oat milk. Thank you. I used the leftover flour mix and milk mix to fry sliced pickles. Also amazing.

  2. Brandie, call me stupid but I couldn’t find the FAQ section so I can figure out how to prepare the fried squash in my air fryer. Please send me in the right direction
    Thank you

    1. Hey George – you’re not stupid! It can be easy to miss. There is a heading above entitled “Frequently Asked Questions” and it is the first question underneath that heading. Hope that helps and hope you love the recipe! If it still gives you trouble, just send me an email (thecountrycook@gmail.com) and I can write it all out for you!

      1. Thanks I found it. I’m going to cook the squash and air fryer pork chops for my bride this evening

  3. 5 stars
    Great recipe. Very close to “how Mama used to make it”!
    I am 69 and using a wheelchair now so I have to be careful pan frying, but hey, nothing stops a real Southern cook!

    1. Whatever the Quaker brand kind is. I don’t think it says on the packaging. I just buy whatever I can find. I don’t think it really matters, just depends on the texture you prefer. It doesn’t need to be complicated, go with what you got 🙂

    2. 5 stars
      This is a delicious recipe. I used Cajun seasoning and used half flour half cornmeal. Definitely a keeper.