Spaghetti Squash Fritters - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Spaghetti squash fritters are wonderfully flavorful! They make a great low-carb alternative to potato pancakes.

Ready in about 20 minutes, this easy recipe takes full advantage of leftover spaghetti squash.

Spaghetti Squash Fritters - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

I love spaghetti squash! The way you can rake its flesh back and forth and create beautiful pasta-like strands is magical. And it's such a great alternative to starchy side dishes.

A fun way to use up leftover spaghetti squash is to make these tasty fritters. I love making them for my family because everyone enjoys them so much - they truly are wonderfully flavorful. Their flavor actually reminds me of potato latkes.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Expert tip
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Variations
  • Serving suggestions
  • Storing leftovers
  • Relatedrecipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make these tasty fritters. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

Egg: I use large eggs in almost all of my recipes, this one included.

Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use, or the spaghetti squash fritters could end up too salty.

Spices: I use garlic powder and dried thyme.

Cooked spaghetti squash: I almost always cook it in the microwave, since that's the easiest way of cooking it. But you can also bake it in the oven.

Almond flour and parmesan: I add these ingredients for two reasons. First, as thickening agents that make the fritters a bit sturdier. I also add them as flavoring agents that add great flavor to the pancakes. The parmesan is especially wonderful in terms of the flavor it adds.

Butter: I love cooking these fritters in butter. Olive oil is another good alternative, although personally, I prefer the flavor of butter.

Instructions

If you already have cooked spaghetti squash, making these spaghetti squash fritters is as easy as can be. Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions.

The basics? You simply mix the cooked spaghetti squash with eggs, almond flour, parmesan, and spices, then fry the patties in butter until golden.

If you don't have cooked spaghetti squash on hand, it's very easy to make microwave spaghetti squash or bake spaghetti squash in the oven.

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Expert tip

Regardless of how you cook the squash, make sure that it's very well-drained before adding it to the mixture. I like to place it on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any extra liquid. The drier the squash is, the sturdier and less flimsy the fritters will be.

Despite the addition of almond flour and parmesan cheese, these fritters are quite delicate and can fall apart on you if you're not careful. So be gentle, especially when flipping them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I omit the almond flour?

I don't recommend that. The almond flour helps prevent the fritters from falling apart as you cook them and especially when you flip them.

Can I use a cheese other than parmesan?

Again, that's not recommended. Dry-grated parmesan is another ingredient that acts as a binder in this recipe and makes the fritters sturdier.

Can I bake these fritters instead of frying them?

You could try, although I haven't tried that myself. Try spraying them with oil and baking them on heatproof parchment paper for 10-15 minutes per side in a 400°F oven.

Variations

I love this recipe as is and almost always make it as written. But in case you'd like to vary the basic recipe, here are a few ideas for you:

  • Add more spices, such as onion powder or a pinch of cumin.
  • If you'd rather use fresh minced garlic that's fine - you can use one or two cloves, depending on how garlicky you want the fritters to be.
  • Cook the fritters in ghee or coconut oil.
  • Add about 2 tablespoons of minced onions to the mixture, or the same amount of chopped scallions (which would also add nice color to the pancakes).

Serving suggestions

You can serve these fritters as a side dish. But they are hearty enough that you can also serve them as a main dish, topped with some sour cream, with an easy veggie side such as microwave broccoli.

Sometimes I serve them with a coupleof fried eggs for an easy meatless dinner.

Storing leftovers

Leftovers keep quite well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave on 50% power before serving.

Spaghetti Squash Fritters - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)
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Recipe Card

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Spaghetti Squash Fritters

These tasty spaghetti squash fritters are the perfect low carb alternative to potato pancakes.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 fritters

Calories: 289kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ¼ teaspoon of fine salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 heaping cup cooked spaghetti squash very well-drained (6 oz)*
  • ¼ cup almond flour blanched, finely ground
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and thyme. Add the squash, the almond flour, and the parmesan. Mix well with a fork to combine.

  • Heat the butter in a large, 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat.

  • Spoon the spaghetti squash mixture onto the skillet, measuring ¼ cup per fritter. Lightly flatten with a spatula. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Flip them carefully - they're delicate.

  • Serve immediately, topped (if desired) with sour cream.

Video

Notes

* The drier you can get the squash strands, the sturdier the fritters will be. I sometimes roll them in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze to get rid of excess liquid.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 2fritters | Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 524mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g

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Most of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

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About the Author

Spaghetti Squash Fritters - Healthy Recipes Blog (19) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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Spaghetti Squash Fritters - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

How healthy is spaghetti squash? ›

Spaghetti squash is a winter vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Due to its low calorie content and high fiber content, it may aid weight loss and digestive health. Try roasted spaghetti squash as a low carb alternative to pasta, combined with veggies, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.

Why is my spaghetti squash soggy? ›

Give the slices a touch of salt, but not too much! Adding too much salt can cause the squash to get too watery as it cooks. And then you'll be left with mushy strands. You're only seasoning to cook the squash here, and you can add more salt once it has cooked to actually season it to your taste.

What's the difference between yellow and orange spaghetti squash? ›

True spaghetti squash is pale ivory to pale yellow in color, in the early 1990's, an orange spaghetti squash, known as “Orangetti” was developed and this is what is frequently found in today's supermarkets. Higher in beta carotene, the orange variety is also bit sweeter than its paler brother.

Is spaghetti squash allowed on keto? ›

Our true winner is the famously low-carb spaghetti squash, with has just under 8 net carbohydrates per cup. In summary, you shouldn't make any winter squash a regular occurance on your keto-menu, but every so often it's an ingredient you can enjoy while still staying on track.

Which is healthier zucchini or spaghetti squash? ›

From the above comparison, you can tell that: Zucchini Pasta is lower in carbohydrates (3.361 g), in sodium (9 mg), in sugars (0.581 g), in total fat (0.084 g) and in calories (10 cals). Zucchini Pasta has more protein (1.371 g), more potassium (333 mg) and more dietary fiber (0.013 g).

What part of the body is spaghetti squash good for? ›

Colon Health

Because of the appearance of spaghetti squash, you might assume that it is rich in fiber. It has over 2 grams per serving, which is more than regular pasta but not as much as many other vegetables. Fiber in the diet contributes to colon health by increasing the regularity of bowel movements.

Do you have to cut spaghetti squash in half before cooking it? ›

You need to cut your spaghetti squash in half before cooking it. Don't let spaghetti squash's hard shell scare you! I've got the trick for cutting spaghetti squash safely (watch our video to see me do it).

Why does my cooked spaghetti squash taste bitter? ›

Cucurbits contain a group of chemicals called cucubitacins. It is these cucurbitacins that are responsible for squash that is bitter tasting. The higher the levels of cucubitacin, the more bitter the squash will taste.

How do you cut spaghetti squash soft enough? ›

Prick it all over with a fork and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes, or until it's soft enough to slice in two. Option 2: Microwave the squash. Prick it all over with a fork and microwave in 1-minute bursts until it's soft enough to cut.

Is spaghetti squash a superfood? ›

The health benefits of spaghetti squash

Like other members of the squash family, the spaghetti squash is high in vitamins and nutritional value. “You're getting tons of vitamin C, vitamin B6, betacarotene and fiber,” Czerwony says.

What is the most delicious squash? ›

  1. 1 • Delicata / Sweet Dumpling. These are the most delectable of the pepo squashes, often much sweeter than their close cousins, the green acorns. ...
  2. 2 • Kabocha. ...
  3. 3 • Butternut. ...
  4. 4 • Acorn. ...
  5. 5 • Spaghetti. ...
  6. 6 • Buttercup. ...
  7. 7 • Hubbard.

Is spaghetti squash better than potatoes? ›

Spaghetti squash can be used the same way rice, pasta, or potatoes are used. When compared to the other options, spaghetti squash is far lower in calories and carbohydrates than the other choices.

Can dogs eat spaghetti squash? ›

Yes! Spaghetti squash is healthy for your dog and is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. These vitamins and minerals support the health of your dog's vision, immune system, colon, muscles, and more. Squash also helps kidney function and can decrease your dog's chances of heart failure.

Is spaghetti squash good for diabetics? ›

Spaghetti squash is a low-carb pasta substitute

Spaghetti squash has lots of fiber, making it among the best veggies for people with diabetes. This large amount of fiber causes a slow release of sugars into your body after you eat, which lowers your overall blood sugar.

Which is healthier spaghetti squash or pasta? ›

Spaghetti contains on average about 200 calories and 42 grams of carbohydrates per serving (2 ounces). However, spaghetti squash contains only 70 calories and around 17 carbohydrates per serving. A serving of spaghetti squash is about 4 ounces, and one spaghetti squash serves four people.

Is spaghetti squash high in carbs or sugar? ›

One cup of spaghetti squash has 40 calories, 10 grams of carbohydrates, and 4 grams of sugar. Spaghetti squash is fat free and one cup provides 2 grams of fiber making it a great alternative to noodles and rice.

Which is healthier spaghetti or butternut squash? ›

For example, compared to butternut squash, one cup of spaghetti squash has just 1/100 the amount of beta-carotene, a plant compound the body converts to vitamin A and uses to protect our eye health and immune system. And it contains just 1/3 the amount of fiber, folate and potassium.

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