This easy Fried Squash with a Crispy Cornmeal Batter is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They make a perfect appetizer or meal.
💌 SAVE THIS
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Normally, I create healthy recipes, with some being on the more indulgent side. Of course, Fried Squash falls into the latter category.
Sometimes you just want something fried, you know! I also included directions for baked squash, if you prefer a healthier version.
Some recipes come from a necessity to use up what you have, and I just happen to have more than 40 yellow squash in my house at the moment. Remember Forrest Gump and all the lines with coconut shrimp, shrimp gumbo, fried shrimp...
That is me after I visit Market on the Move, a program where you get up to 60 lbs. of produce for $10.
I have to say I have a love-hate relationship with the Market on the Move. I love getting such a good deal. I hate trying to use up that amount of produce before it goes bad. I love figuring out different ways to use the produce I get, but I hate eating the same vegetables over and over again.
I haven't gotten sick of eating Cornmeal Fried Squash though. I love how it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I have spiced these up to add some pizzazz.
Did you know there is such a thing as sriracha powder? Well, neither did I until the hubby came home with it from Costco.
Sriracha is one of my favorite condiments, so to find out that they make it in powder form was too good to be true! This is the very first recipe I have used it in and I am loving it so far.
I have made these fried, baked, with gluten-free flour, and with corn meal. To be honest, I don't think it really makes too much of a difference if you bake or fry the squash.
Yes, fried is a bit more indulgent, but I think baked works just as well, especially if you want to use less oil. As far as corn meal vs. gluten-free flour, I like the corn meal better because it adds more crunch.
If you want a "cheesy" flavor, I have included nutritional yeast as an option. I like these both with or without the nutritional yeast.
I also have some Breaded Cucumber if you want to try something different.
❤️ Why You'll Love It
- It's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
- It's a fun way to get more veggies into your diet!
- It's a quick and easy recipe to make, whether you decide to bake it or fry it.
🧾 Ingredients
- Yellow squash: You could also use zucchini.
- Cornmeal: When I first published this recipe I used cornmeal, but found out later that I have a corn intolerance, so when I updated this recipe I use gluten free panko breadcrumbs.
- Nutritional yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor.
- Olive oil
- Sriracha powder: You can also use sriracha Himalayan pink salt, which is what I accidentally bought when updating this recipe. Both work. If you do, you won't need to add salt.
- Soy milk: You could use any dairy-free milk.
- Salt & pepper: Enhance flavors. I like to use sea salt.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
FREE Best Vegan Dinners 4 Week Meal Plan
Sign up to get recipes and FREE meal plans that save you time and money while lightening your mental load!
- 4 weeks of meal plans: with the most popular dinner recipes on the website along with shopping lists.
- Meal prep tips: How to prep ingredients ahead of time to save even more time.
- Tips for leftovers: Ways to use the leftovers like using them in an easy recipe or freezing.
Unsubscribe at any time.
Instructions
Step 1: Slice yellow squash into disc shapes. Mix dry ingredients and put them in one bowl. In another bowl pour soy milk.
In assembly line fashion, place squash in soy milk, then cornmeal batter. Place on a plate to wait to be fried. If you're baking them, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet that's been sprayed or coated with oil.
Step 2: For frying: To test the oil for frying sprinkle a few drops of water in the pan. If they sizzle, the oil is ready. You can also test the oil with a wooden spoon. Bubbles will form around the spoon when it's hot. Fry on each side until golden brown.
For baking: For baking you will bake the squash for 8-10 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
These crispy fried yellow squash chips (or baked yellow squash chips, if you prefer) are a healthy snack or appetizer.
📋 Recipe
Fried Squash
Ingredients
- 2 yellow summer squash or zucchini
- ½ cup cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons sriracha powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons nutritional yeast optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened plain soy milk
- Canola oil or other high heat oil
Instructions
- If baking, preheat oven to 450°F.
- Cut off the ends of yellow squash and slice into ¼" slices (or a little bigger).
- Mix cornmeal, sriracha powder, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, pour unsweetened plain soy milk.
- In assembly line fashion - dip yellow squash into the soy milk, then corn meal mixture. Put dredged squash on a plate.
- Frying: Heat canola oil (you will need about a ¼" or so covering the pan) to 350°F. If you don't have a thermometer you can test the oil by dropping a couple of drops of water into oil. If it sizzles, it's ready. Place dredged squash pieces into oil. Cook on each side until golden brown and crispy. Baking:Place battered squash on an oiled parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cook squash at 450°F for 8-10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until crispy on both sides.
- Serve with vegan sour cream.
Notes
Nutrition
💌 SAVE THIS
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Kay says
I wonder if this could be air-fried?
Willow Moon says
Hi Kay, I don't own an air fryer, but I don't see why not.
Jill says
My family loves these! What a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables!
Tess says
It looks amazing! 🙂
footnotes and finds says
yum! this is perfect for a vegetarian like me!
popshopamerica says
This looks so good!
valorey says
i love fried squash!
hilkayaker says
My family is vegetarian, I am lactose intolerant, my husband is gluten intolerant, this would fit perfectly!
Willow Moon says
Great, I am so glad!
Joseph says
Wow, your recipe looks very delicious 🙂