Air Fryer Acorn Squash is an easy, healthy, and flavorful side dish that comes together with minimal effort. When cooked in the air fryer, the squash develops a naturally sweet, nutty flavor with a perfectly caramelized exterior and a soft, creamy texture inside. Plus, it pairs beautifully with both savory seasonings like garlic and herbs or sweet toppings such as cinnamon and maple syrup.
Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients: acorn squash, olive oil, salt, and pure maple syrup or honey (optional).
I love acorn squash and it’s perfect for fall evenings. Acorn squash is a type of winter squash known for its distinctive shape and sweet, nutty flavor. It belongs to the gourd family, which includes other popular squashes like butternut squash, pumpkin, and zucchini. There are many ways to enjoy acorn squash: air fried acorn squash, roasted acorn squash, stuffed acorn squash, mashed acorn squash, or acorn squash soup.
How to make this Recipe:
- Prepare
Wash the acorn squash. With a sharp knife, cut the acorn squash in half. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds. Then, cut each half into four close in size pieces. Place the acorn squash side down into the basket of the air fryer.
- Cook
Air fry at 330 degrees F for 20 minutes (preheat first, if your air fryer requires preheating). Remove the squash, oil the insides of the squash, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Place the squash, cut side up, back into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400 degrees F for about 10 minutes more, or until the cut surface is browned and the inside of the squash is fork tender.
- Enjoy
Optionally, drizzle with pure maple syrup. And serve.
Air Fryer Acorn Squash – Frequently Asked Questions:
No, the peel becomes soft during cooking and is edible, though many people prefer to scoop out the flesh. Leaving the skin on helps the squash hold its shape.
The squash should be fork-tender and slightly caramelized on the edges. You should be able to pierce the flesh easily with a fork.
Yes! Acorn squash pairs well with both savory flavors (garlic, rosemary, paprika, parmesan) and sweet flavors (maple syrup, cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg). You can even mix sweet and savory for a more complex taste.
It pairs beautifully with roasted meats, poultry, fish, grain bowls, or salads. Sweet versions also work well with holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
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Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Ingredients
- 1 whole acorn squash
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Wash the acorn squash. With a sharp knife, cut the acorn squash in half. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds. Then, cut each half into four close in size pieces.
- Place the acorn squash side down into the basket of the air fryer. Air fry at 330 degrees F for 20 minutes (preheat first, if your air fryer requires preheating).
- Remove the squash, oil the insides of the squash, and sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Place the squash, cut side up, back into the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for about 10 minutes more, or until the cut surface is browned and the inside of the squash is fork tender.
- Optionally, drizzle with pure maple syrup. And serve.
Hi! I’m Irina. Here you’ll find healthy and healthy-ish recipes.
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