This easy air fryer acorn squash recipe is a simple side dish for Fall weather and it doesn’t require heating up the whole house. Roasted acorn squash in the oven takes anywhere from 40 minutes to 50 minutes to cook through but this acorn squash is ready in under 25 minutes! Pretty easy peasy too.
If you prefer roasted acorn squash it takes a little bit longer to cook in the oven but you still get the same results Paula Deen's Baked Acorn Squash.
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Acorn Squash Air Fryer
Air fryer squash is becoming increasingly popular for several reasons:
Air frying requires little to no oil, which makes it a healthier cooking option compared to traditional frying methods. This allows you to enjoy squash with fewer calories and less fat while still achieving a crispy texture.
Cooking squash in an air fryer helps retain more of its natural vitamins and minerals compared to methods that use high heat and longer cooking times, such as boiling or baking.
Air fryers significantly reduce cooking time, making it easy and quick to prepare squash as a side dish or snack. This convenience is particularly appealing for those with busy lifestyles.
Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Acorn Squash
- 1 acorn squash
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper to taste
How to cook Acorn Squash in Air Fryer
Step 1 Prepare the Squash: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the squash in half from stem to tip to make acorn squash halves as shown in the picture below. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Step 2 Preheat and Arrange: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. Arrange the seasoned squash slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Step 3 Air Fry the Squash: Cook the squash for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are tender and golden brown around the edges. Check for doneness by piercing a slice with a fork; it should glide in easily when the squash is thoroughly cooked.
Step 4 Place one tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup on top of the squash and set it back in the air fryer for 5 more minutes. Enjoy!
Main Dishes That Pair Perfectly with Acorn Squash
- Ina Garten's Perfect Roast Chicken– classic combo, especially with herbs like rosemary or thyme
- Pork Chops on Blackstone– grilled, roasted, or pan-seared (maple-glazed is 🤌 with acorn squash)
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts – think cranberry, spinach, or goat cheese
- Steak on Blackstone Griddle (How To)– balances out the richness
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew – for a hearty vegetarian pairing
Recipe Tips:
- Feel free to add other ingredients like chopped apples, cranberries, or cooked sausage for variety.
- Sprinkle the air fryer squash with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or nutmeg for some spice.
- Preheating ensures that the fries cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cooking in smaller batches will help the fries cook more evenly and get crispier.
- Shaking the Basket: Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps ensure that all the fries cook evenly.
Recipe FAQS
I have two air fryers. The Cosori 4 Qt Air Fryer and Ninja Woodfire Grill which is an outdoor air fryer. It’s pretty awesome! It has 5 different functions on it.
Always store leftovers in clean, food-grade containers. The type of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic, whatever! Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you tried this Air Fryer Acorn Squash or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
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Air Fryer Acorn Squash
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
This recipe for air fryer acorn squash is perfect for Fall weather and it doesn’t require heating up the whole house. Roasted acorn squash in the oven takes anywhere from 40 minutes to 50 minutes to cook through but this acorn squash is ready in under 25 minutes! Pretty easy peasy too.
Ingredients
1 acorn squash
2 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Squash: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the squash in half from stem to tip. Scoop out the seeds and any stringy bits using a spoon.
Preheat and Arrange: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. Arrange the seasoned squash slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Air Fry the Squash: Cook the squash for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are tender and golden brown around the edges. Check for doneness by piercing a slice with a fork; it should glide in easily when the squash is thoroughly cooked.
Place one tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup on top of the squash and set it back in the air fryer for 5 more minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
Once cooked, transfer the squash to a serving platter.
For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle a bit of honey or maple syrup over the squash before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
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