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Home » Blog » Recipes » Side Dish

Southern Fried Squash

by Donya Mullins 6 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

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This post may contain affiliate links.

Beautiful yellow squash, lightly battered and fried, is an easy-to-make side dish that can double as an appetizer. Southern Fried Squash is a classic recipe using tender farmers’ market squash and is what seasonal cooking is all about!

Beautiful, yellow squash, lightly battered and fried, places onto a white serving plate with a bowl of dipping sauce in the center.
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All southern recipes have my heart, but this one has a little piece of my soul too! I learned how to make this dish from a true southern cook, my Grandmother. Slicing, dipping, and lightly dusting each round of squash, she was patient and steady, frying up each piece until it was the perfect golden color.

Beyond being a southern classic and favorite, this fried squash recipe is hands-down just one of the BEST foods ever! You can use this technique to make either fried yellow squash or summer squash, it even works well with zucchini. It’s a super easy recipe; all you need is good ingredients and a little patience.

However, you serve your squash, just make sure you take your time and enjoy the process! Creating a feeling of grace in the kitchen is a tradition that must be passed down from generation to generation.

Serve Fried Squash As A Side Dish Or Appetizer!

To serve fried squash as an appetizer, whip up my Spicy Mayo or my homemade Honey Mustard Sauce; they’re both delicious.

Beautiful, yellow squash, lightly battered and fried, placed onto a wire cooling rack after being fried.

Ingredients To Make Fried Squash

  • Yellow squash
  • Buttermilk
  • Eggs
  • Cornmeal
  • Flour
  • Vegetable oil
  • House Seasoning
  • Red Pepper Flakes – optional

PRO TIP: cooking this recipe in a cast iron skillet makes the squash soft and tender in the center yet deliciously crunchy on the outside.

How To Make Southern Fried Yellow Squash

  • Wash and dry squash. Slice into a round about â…›″ inch thick.
  • In a large bowl, mix together buttermilk and eggs. Add squash and let sit for 30 minutes.
  • Drain squash.. Mix dry ingredients and dip each squash piece in the mixture.
  • In a cast iron skillet, heat oil. Cook squash rounds in cooking oil and fry until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack or paper towels on a plate.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
A close up of this beautiful, yellow squash, lightly battered and fried, placed onto a wire cooling rack after being fried.

People Often Ask…

How To Keep Squash Nice and Crispy

Sometimes fried foods can get soggy even though you’ve followed the recipe properly, so here’s my secret tip…
After you’ve sliced your squash, pat it extra dry with a paper towel, and then sprinkle with a pinch of salt to help dry the squash out! This will stop moisture from spreading into the crispy outside of the fried squash.

How Thick Should I Slice My Squash?


For this recipe, you want to ensure that the squash cooks through before the outside gets too crispy. To do this, you’ll want to cut your squash into about â…› of an inch thick rounds, so not super thin but not too large either.

What Is A Mess Of Squash?


The term ‘A Mess’ is actually a measurement; it refers to an amount that would be enough for a meal. That amount can change depending on what you’re serving. A mess of green beans is very different from a mess of squash. A mess of squash would be about four medium-sized squash.

Beautiful, yellow squash, lightly battered and fried, places onto a white serving plate with a bowl of dipping sauce in the center.

More Squash Recipes You’ll Love…

  • Squash Casserole in a Cast Iron
  • Brown Butter Butternut Squash Casserole
  • Roasted Butternut Squash With Bacon
  • Grilled Yellow Squash with Lemon & Chive Vinaigrette
Fried Squash from A Southern Soul
3.50 from 4 votes

Fried Yellow Squash

Author: Donya Mullins
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 34 minutes
Servings: 4
Print Pin Rate
Beautiful, yellow squash, lightly battered and fried, is easy to make and excellent as a side dish or as an appetizer. This tender vegetable is abundant in summer, making it a classic southern dish that shows what seasonal eating is all about. Fried Squash is easy to make and it's always a hit!

Ingredients

  • 4-6 medium yellow squash
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup corn meal
  • 1 cup flour
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons house season salt
  • red pepper flakes for finishing

Instructions

  • Wash and dry squash. Slice into round about â…›″ inch thick.
  • In a large bowl, mix together buttermilk and eggs. Add squash and let sit for 30 minutes. Drain squash and dispose of milk mixture. Mix dry ingredients and dredge each squash piece in mixture, shaking off excess.
  • In a cast iron skillet or heavy bottom pan, heat oil. Add squash rounds to cooking oil and cook until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack or paper towels on a plate. While still hot, sprinkle with salt and pepper flakes.
  • Served immediately as a side dish or with dipping sauce.

***Cooks Notes***

  • – Cook squash in batches. Add more oil if necessary. 
    – Add addition salt and pepper while squash is still hot.
  • ***House Seasoning Recipe***
    8 tablespoons kosher salt
    3 tablespoon pepper
    2 teaspoons garlic powder
    2 tablespoons paprika
    **Measure out ingredients and place in a small bowl. Mix together. Store in covered container.
  • ***Spicy Mayo Sauce***
    1 cup mayonnaise
    3 tablespoons Sriracha hot chili sauce
    ¼ teaspoon chili powder
    **Add all ingredients to a small bowl. Whisk together. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in refrigerator.
Fried Squash from A Southern Soul
Did you make my Fried Yellow Squash?I’d love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @asouthernsoul, and use the hashtag #asouthernsoul!
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Donya with A Southern Soul

Meet A Southern Soul

Hey, there! I’m Donya and welcome to A Southern Soul. I love to cook and entertain with easy to make recipes and simple ideas that make people feel special. Read More

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  1. Jan Thomas

    August 5, 2018 at 2:23 pm

    What a summer classic, and how yummy with the dip! My son in law wiill LOVE this dip!!! I’ll be making this, THIS week! thanks for sharing at our Farmers Market Week Recipe Collection for Celebrate 365

    Reply
    • Donya

      August 18, 2018 at 10:11 pm

      Thanks so much for your kind words!
      XO,
      ~Donya

      Reply
  2. Jane

    July 30, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    I used to cut mine in the rounds but now I cut them length wise. I have a mandolin and it makes it quick and easy. The bonus is that you don’t have to keep turning a lot of little rounds. ?

    Reply
    • Donya

      August 18, 2018 at 10:12 pm

      Great tips, Jane! Thanks for sharing.
      XO,
      ~Donya

      Reply
  3. Claudine in Fort Worth, TX

    July 25, 2018 at 12:06 am

    Oh, YUM!! this is one of my very favorite things.. I don’t get to make it as hubby doesn’t like it, go figure. This really brings back fond memories of my Mom. She always made this for us when yellow squash was in season. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Donya

      August 18, 2018 at 10:14 pm

      Thank you so much Claudine for sharing. My husband doesn’t like it either but I’m all about it! Food memories stir the soul indeed.
      XO,
      ~Donya

      Reply

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Donya with A Southern Soul

Meet A Southern Soul

Hey, there! I’m Donya and welcome to A Southern Soul. I love to cook and entertain with easy to make recipes and simple ideas that make people feel special. Read More

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

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