Fried Yellow Squash is pan fried to golden perfection with a crisp and crunchy batter. It's made with yellow crookneck squash that tastes amazing straight from the garden, grocery store, or farmer's market!
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Why You'll Love It
This classic recipe is made the old fashioned way by dredging yellow summer squash in cornmeal and frying it in a skillet. Each round of squash is dipped in buttermilk, then breaded by hand to create the perfect crunch!
In the south, you'll often find fried squash patties on the table alongside heirloom tomatoes, greasy beans, and sheet pan taters. In the summer months, yellow squash pops up in every garden because it's fun and easy to grow.
There's nothing like a southern supper made with a mess of pan fried squash and fresh veggies. It's quick, easy and delicious as a side dish with fried chicken or as an appetizer dipped in tangy ranch dressing.
Ingredients
Frying squash is super easy when you use White Lily Buttermilk Cornmeal Mix. (ad) With only a few ingredients, you'll be enjoying this southern treat in no time at all!
- yellow squash
- buttermilk
- cornmeal mix
- garlic salt
- vegetable oil
- salt and pepper
Quantities are listed in the recipe card.
How to Fry Squash
1 - Wash squash, then slice into ¼ inch round circles.
2 - Create a dredging station. Pour buttermilk in a bowl and add a sprinkle of garlic salt. Add cornmeal mix to a second bowl and mix in garlic salt. Dredge squash rounds into buttermilk, then cornmeal mix. Set aside.
3 - Add vegetable oil to a skillet until it covers the bottom of the pan. Turn heat to medium. When oil is hot, (about 325 degrees), add battered squash one at a time until the bottom of the skillet is covered. Fry 3 to 5 minutes on one side, then flip over with a fork and fry a few minutes on the other side until golden brown.
4 - Remove squash from skillet and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot. Repeat process in small batches.
Prepare dredging station 
Batter squash before heating oil 
Fry in single layer 
Cook until golden brown
Recipe FAQS
Yes! The seeds in yellow squash are soft and perfectly fine to eat. The skin is also thin and edible.
The easiest way to fry squash is to use cornmeal mix (ad) which is a combination of cornmeal and flour. It's already mixed, so it's ready to use and creates a delicious batter for yellow squash. If you don't have access to a mix, create your own by combining ½ cup cornmeal and ½ cup of self-rising flour.
Any type of oil that can withstand high temperatures works well for frying such as canola, vegetable, and avocado.
Using a dredge of buttermilk and cornmeal mix creates a very crispy crust. Fried squash will stay crispy if drained and kept on a paper towel lined plate until ready to serve. Refrigerate leftovers and reheat in a 350 degree oven to crisp up again.
Top Tips
- For best results, organize your dredging bowls ahead of time and things will go more smoothly.
- Dredge all of your squash rounds before heating oil in the skillet. If you heat the oil first, it may burn before you finish the dredging process.
- Use a shallow pan of oil instead of filling it to the top. ¼ inch of oil will usually be enough at first, but you might need to add more later as you fry each batch.
- Each squash produces enough rounds for one skillet. Plan on frying a batch for each squash you slice.
- Cook squash in a single layer to avoid clumping together.
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
Serving Ideas
Serve fried squash alongside grilled meats like pork tenderloin or meatloaf. It also tastes great when paired with macaroni salad, collard greens and corn pudding.
For a special appetizer, serve squash rounds with ranch or honey mustard dressing as a dipping sauce. I promise those babies will be gone in a flash!
Related Recipes
If you love this recipe, try my other southern dishes that are sure to please!
- The Best Squash Casserole
- Southern Fried Green Tomatoes
- Easy Southern Cornbread
- Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
- Southern Tomato Pie
Recipe Card
Fried Squash
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Fried Yellow Squash is pan fried to golden perfection with a crisp and crunchy batter. It's great as a side dish or a yummy appetizer served with Sassy Ranch Dip!
Ingredients
FRIED SQUASH
- 3 medium yellow squash, sliced into ¼ inch circles
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups cornmeal mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- salt and pepper to taste
SASSY RANCH DIP
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- ½ teaspoon Texas Pete Dry Dust Seasoning (ad)
- sprinkle of dried parsley flakes
Instructions
FRIED SQUASH
- Wash squash well, then slice into ¼ inch round circles.ย
- Create a dredging station with a bowl of buttermilk and a bowl of cornmeal mix. Add a dash of garlic salt to the buttermilk and a teaspoon to the cornmeal mix.
- Dredge squash into buttermilk, then cornmeal. Repeat until all squash is battered. Set aside.
- Place oil in a skillet to cover the bottom. Turn heat to medium. When it's hot (325 degrees), add battered squash in a single layer until the bottom of the skillet is covered.
- Fry squash 3 to 5 minutes on one side, then flip over with a fork and fry a few minutes on the other side until golden brown.ย
- Remove squash from skillet and drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Repeat process in small batches. Each squash that is sliced equals one batch, so if using 3 squash, you will have 3 batches.ย
SASSY RANCH DIP
- Mix all ingredients together and serve alongside fried squash as a dip.ย
Notes
- Dredge all of your squash rounds before heating oil in the skillet. If you heat the oil first, it may burn before you finish the dredging process.
- Use a shallow pan of oil instead of filling it to the top. ¼ inch of oil will usually be enough at first, but you might need to add more later as you fry each batch.
- Category: Side Dish, Appetizer
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Southern
Keywords: fried squash, summer squash, yellow squash, southern recipes
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Kara
I love that you used buttermilk to bind your cornmeal. I bet it makes it extra crispy that way.
★★★★★
Debi
Yes, the buttermilk and the cornmeal mix seems to make a big difference in the texture. I've used plain flour in the past and it just doesn't create the same crunch.
Carol
Canโt wait to dig into some of these! Recipe sounds delicious.
★★★★★
Debi
Thanks Carol. This squash is really crunchy. I like using White Lily cornmeal mix to make it.
Penny
This is such a simple recipe but delivers such delicious and crispy squash! I love it and it is a staple here in the south!
★★★★★
Debi
Thanks Penny! I love it too! ๐ My favorite summer treat.
Marsha Henson
This is my favorite summer vegetable. I canโt wait to try it with the ranch dip.
★★★★★
Debi
The sassy ranch dip definitely makes it! ๐
Lorna
This is a favorite! Canโt wait to cook some up!
★★★★★
Debi
Awesome! If you try this recipe, be sure to let me know! ๐
Dawn
I made this tonight using your recipe and it was just perfect. I loved the added touch of the ranch with Texas Pete!
Debi
Hi Dawn! That makes me so happy! I'm glad you loved that dip...it's a favorite of mine too. ๐
★★★★★
Liz
We loved the fried squash! Delicious!!. Love your recipes!!
Debi
Awesome, Liz! You made my day! ๐
Marsha
This is one of my favorite recipes. I could eat this every day .
★★★★★
Jan Allen
I love squash any way you fix it so this recipe is right up my alley. I've never had the Sassy Ranch Dip but it's delicious.
Debi
Thank you Jan! I'm so glad you tried the Sassy Ranch Dip! ๐
Marsha
Itโs even better with the ranch dip!
★★★★★