Fried Squash

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword fried-squash-recipe, fried-yellow-squash

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3

Total Time 13

Servings servings (may vary)

Calories 280kcal

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 or garlic powder
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

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 squash slices first into the egg mixture then into the seasoned breading pressing on all sides to evenly coat.
Fry squash in a single layer until golden brown flip periodically for even browning. Around 2-3 minutes total, frying in batches. (Squash should be tender when gently pierced with the tip of a knife.)
Remove from the oil using a stainless steel spider or slotted spoon to a paper towel lined baking sheet pan. Immediately season lightly with additional salt.
Serve immediately.

Choose Similar Size Squash: When choosing squash, look for similarity in size for even cooking. Also, make an effort to slice the rounds into the same thickness. You can also use this same recipe and technique for frying zucchini.

Cornmeal: 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.

Fried Squash Without Cornmeal: You could adapt this recipe using equal parts panko bread crumbs and flour.

Spice: Cayenne pepper adds a little heat to the taste. You could also use sriracha (in place of hot sauce) in the egg wash or omit the cayenne and hot sauce altogether, if you prefer a milder flavor.

Sauce Options: Serve fried squash with ranch dressing, ketchup or Southern comeback sauce for dipping.