You won’t be able to resist this Squash Tempura. The crispy and airy coating has the perfect crunch, plus it’s a lot easier to make than you think!
This recipe makes six servings for about $4.34. Therefore, it costs approximately $0.72 per serving.
Vegetables are fabulous for making appetizers. For more veggie-based appetizer ideas, check out my Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters, Baked Jalapeno Poppers, and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms.
Squash Tempura is the perfect appetizer for any party, big game day, or family gathering. The squash is sliced thin and then covered in a light batter before frying to golden perfection. The light batter and frying process enhance the squash’s natural flavor.
You can eat these plain or dip them in your favorite dipping sauce. Making Tempura Fried Squash at home tastes better than you can get when you order the same dish from your favorite restaurant!
And they are better for you too! This recipe is gluten-free. Follow my step-by-step directions in the recipe card to make the perfect Tempura Squash.
Ingedients and Estimated Cost
Per Serving Cost: $0.72
Recipe Cost: $4.34
- 2 medium delicata squash – $2.50
- 1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour – $0.72
- ½ cup rice flour – $0.65
- 1 teaspoon sea salt – $0.04
- 1 teaspoon onion powder – $0.03
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder – $0.01
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper – $0.04
- 1 ½ cups sparkling water – $0.35
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.
How To Make Tempura Squash
- First, slice the dlivata into ½” rings and then scrape out the seeds.
- Next, place ¼ cup of the flour on a plate and set it aside.
- Using a large bowl, whisk together the flour, rice flour, sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper, and sparkling water.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Then, dredge each ring in the flour and dip the rings into the batter and then into the hot oil.
- Fry the rings for about two minutes per side until they are golden.
- Place the rings on a wire rack to drain the excess oil as you fry the remaining squash rings.
- Finally, sprinkle the rings with flaky sea salt before serving.
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations
- The tempura batter is perfect for just about any vegetable: sweet potatoes, onion mounds, zucchini, lotus root, potato, mushrooms, and more!
- You can also use this batter for shrimp.
Storage Tips
SERVE AND STORE: The squash is best eaten right after it is fried. It will only keep for about an hour after being fried.
FREEZE: Tempura vegetables do not freeze well. Therefore, I do not recommend freezing them.
Recipe FAQs
This recipe is a simple mixture of flour, water, and a few spices. The light batter helps create an airy coating that is crispy and tender on the inside.
Although it is a veggie, and I use gluten-free flour and rice flour in the batter, the squash is still fried. Fried foods are not the healthiest option. I use avocado oil for frying, which is healthier than vegetable oil. But all things in moderation! See the total nutritional value of this dish in the recipe card below.
In my recipe, I am showing how to make squash tempura. However, you can use a variety of vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, and eggplant.
More Appetizers
- Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Dipping Sauces
- Indian Vegetable Samosa
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Air Fryer Pasta Chips
- Game Day Snack Board
- Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes
- Bang Bang Shrimp
- Air Fryer Eggplant Fries
- Shrimp Cocktail and Shrimp Cocktail Sauce
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Squash Tempura
Equipment
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- large skillet
- wire rack
Ingredients
SQUASH:
- 2 medium delicata squash
TEMPURA BATTER:
- 1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour divided
- ½ cup rice flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 ½ cup sparkling water chilled
OIL:
- Avocado oil for frying
FOR SERVING:
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
MAKE TEMPURA BATTER:
- Place ¼ cup of the gluten-free flour on a plate. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining flour, rice flour, sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper, and sparkling water until the batter just begins to come together. The lightest tempura batter is achieved when the batter is barely mixed.
- Heat at least 1” of oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350° F.
BATTER AND FRY SQUASH:
- Dredge each ring in the plate of gluten-free flour, shaking off any excess.
- Working in batches so as to not overcrowd the skillet, dip a ring into the batter then immediately add it to the hot oil.
- Fry until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
- Remove and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil.
- Repeat with the remaining squash.
FINISH AND SAERVE:
- Sprinkle with a touch of flaky sea salt and serve immediately.
Nutrition
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Absolutely delicious! I will be making this again as my entire family devoured it!
This is such a delicious way to enjoy veggies! I used the same batter for some zucchini too and it turned out just as perfect.
We cannot get enough of this squash tempura! We used a red kuri instead – so tasty. The preparation noticeably enhances the sweetness of the squash.
I love how the batter came out! Made my squash crispy and crunchy. Almost finished these myself but had to share with the rest of the family!