Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar and Butter is my favorite way to have squash and it can be cooked in the oven or air fryer!
I had this acorn squash sitting on my counter forever and I had this plan to make a Thai soup with curry paste and coconut milk. This recipe for baked acorn squash with brown butter I've been seeing a lot on the Internet lately and it looks so good. It's a Paula Deen recipe so you know it's going to be good!

When you take the squash out of the oven, you'll notice a glorious pool of butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar just waiting to be scooped up an eaten with your choice of kitchen utensil. Your house will smell amazing and you'll have some of the best acorn squash you've ever tasted! This is how I'm used to making squash because my family always had it this way.
How long do you cook acorn squash?
An acorn squash is best cooked in the oven. Set the temperature to 400 and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.
Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Set the air fryer to 400 degrees and the time for 20 to 25 minutes.
How to know if an acorn squash is cooked?
To check an acorn squash for tenderness prick it with a fork. If the flesh is tender on the inside it is ready to eat.
Ingredients Needed
- 1 acorn squash, cut in ½
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
How to Make Baked Acorn Squash
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Scoop the seeds and stringy pulp out of the squash cavities and discard. In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, syrup and salt and pepper, to taste. Rub the squash cavities and cut sides of the squash with the butter mixture and place them on a baking sheet, cut side up. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork.
- When the squash is done baking cut it in half and then into quarters. The serving size is ¼th of the squash.


More Great Recipes to Try :
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Grinder Salad Sandwich - Tiktok Recipe
- Zero Point Cabbage Soup
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
- French Fries in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Pickle Chips
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Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar and Butter
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 acorn squash, cut in ½
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Scoop the seeds and stringy pulp out of the squash cavities and discard. In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, syrup and salt and pepper, to taste. Rub the squash cavities and cut sides of the squash with the butter mixture and place them on a baking sheet, cut side up. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork.
- When the squash is done baking cut it in half and then into quarters. The serving size is ¼th of the squash.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Paula Deen
My WW Personal Points: 6 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)
Serving size: The picture shows the squash cut in half but it is actually meant for 4 servings. So cut each half into quarters.
- Category: Easy
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 225
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 10
- Protein: 2
Keywords: baked acorn squash
Ann says
I've made this so many times and my whole family loves it.
★★★★★
Karen says
While I enjoyed it, I prefer sweet potatoes. I had never had acorn squash so I made both the sweet and savory versions. I LOVED the savory!
★★★
Jenna says
The picture shows the squash cut in half but it is actually meant for 4 servings. I had to double-check what I had in my recipe builder and it was 4 servings not 2.
Need to update the photo and # of servings since I hadn't touched this recipe since 2014.
Cheryl says
The point values given are half of what they should be, unless you meant one teaspoon each of the butter, sugar, and syrup?
Tracy says
Trying this tonight! Bought a squash at a local market! Sounds amazing!
Vickie says
I added a little nutmeg. Also used 1 T brown sugar and 1 T maple syrup to cut back on the sweetness!
Linda says
LOVE this recipe! It’s my husbands most favorite way to have squash! He requests it once a week!
★★★★★
Janaan domeyer says
The maple butter is fantastic. I had to hasten the cooking, so I put the squash in the microwave for 8 minutes. I then put it in a convection oven for 15 minutes. It came out wonderfully!
★★★★
Wendy says
Once my family and I tried this, it has been my go to recipe time and time again!! Delicious every time!! Yum!
Ntando says
I love your post, I love fall, I'm into it too and I also love fall food recipes, so I will be chncikeg your squash one. Come over for a piece of Cinnamon bread and coffe. Sunflowers are so right for fall, I will be having a total fall tablescape for TT at, BNOTP...you're welcomed already. Lots of hugs. FABBY