Fried Squash
This Southern style Fried Squash recipe features rounds of yellow squash coated with a perfectly seasoned crispy cornmeal breading. Serve them as a side dish or an appetizer with sauces for dipping.
Easy Fried Yellow Squash Recipe
This recipe is one that you’re certain to return to over and over again. It’s a supper staple in the South especially during garden season when fresh produce is in abundance. I use a combination of flour and cornmeal to make a crispy breading that simply can’t be beat. They’re shallow fried until the squash is tender and the exterior is crispy and golden. How to make Southern Fried Yellow Squash: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)
- Prepare Fresh Squash – Slice and pat dry yellow squash with paper towels. Place into a medium bowl and lightly toss with 1/4 cup all purpose flour. Set aside.
- Egg Buttermilk Wash – Whisk together buttermilk and egg with a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Dry Ingredients – Whisk together flour, cornmeal, salt, granulated garlic, onion powder, paprika, black pepper and cayenne.
- Heat Oil – Heat 1 inch oil in a deep large (12 inch) skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
- Dredge Squash – Dip each slice in buttermilk then into breading pressing to evenly coat.
- Cook – Fry squash per the recipe in a single layer until golden turning as needed for even browning.
- Remove from the hot oil using a stainless steel spider or slotted spoon to a paper towel lined sheet pan. Immediately season lightly with additional salt. Serve immediately.
How to Make the Best Fried Yellow Squash
- Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Southern Fried Yellow Squash: 4 medium yellow squash, buttermilk, large egg, all purpose flour, yellow self rising cornmeal, seasoned salt, black pepper, cayenne, granulated garlic, onion powder and peanut oil or vegetable oil for frying.
- Kitchen tools you’ll need: Two shallow bowls, whisk, measuring cups and spoons, large 12 inch skillet, stainless steel spider or slotted spoon, large sheet pan lined with paper towels.
- When choosing squash, look for similarity in size for even cooking. Also, make an effort to slice the rounds into even thickness.
- Self rising cornmeal adds additional crispy texture to the coating. You can adapt using plain yellow cornmeal adding 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder, if desired.
- Cayenne adds a little heat but is completely optional if you prefer a milder flavor.
- You can use zucchini for this recipe as well. You might also opt to do some of each. The technique and seasonings would remain the same.
- How do you make fried squash? First, cut the squash into even rounds making sure to keep them uniform in thickness.
- Dip each piece of squash into the egg wash then coat with the breading of cornmeal, all purpose flour, seasoned salt, granulated garlic, paprika, onion powder, black pepper and cayenne.
- Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes, turning as needed for even browning. Test for doneness with the tip of a knife, it should easily glide through the squash.
- Serve immediately with Southern Comeback Sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
- Store Fried Squash chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The breading will soften so it’s best to reheat in a single layer on a sheet pan in a 375°F oven or an air fryer until crispy.
More Southern Side Dish Recipes to Make
- Fried Green Beans can be served as an appetizer or a side dish.
- You can never go wrong with Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese.
- Lima Beans with bacon are a delicious option for a quick side.
- Twice Baked Potatoes are a side dish that will go with any meal.
- Stewed Okra with Tomatoes ladled over cornbread is a feast.
- Creamed Peas are a nostalgic dish that never gets old.
- Hominy Casserole from Food Network.
Thanks for visiting come back soon!
Disclosure – If a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. thank you!
Helpful Kitchen Items:
Fried Squash
Ingredients
- 4 medium-large yellow squash 1/4 inch slices
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- few dashes hot sauce (optional)
- 1 cup all purpose flour, plus 1/4 cup divided use
- 2/3 cup self rising yellow corn meal (OR 2/3 cup plain with 1/4 teaspoon baking powder)
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- peanut oil or vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Slice and pat dry yellow squash. Place into a medium bowl and lightly toss with 1/4 cup all purpose flour. Set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg with a few dashes of hot sauce.
- In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, salt, granulated garlic, onion powder, paprika, black pepper and cayenne.
- Heat 1 inch oil in a deep large (12 inch) skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
- Dip each slice in buttermilk then into breading pressing to evenly coat.
- Fry squash in a single layer until golden turning as needed for even browning. Around 2-3 minutes total, frying in batches. (Squash should be tender when gently pierced.)
- Remove using a stainless steel spider or slotted spoon to a paper towel lined sheet pan. Immediately season lightly with additional salt.
- Serve immediately.
Can you use frozen squash or would it be mushy?
Fresh squash works best. You could make a squash casserole with frozen squash.
Thank you. I’ll get fresh squash. I appreciate your response