Air Fryer Acorn Squash

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Air Fryer Acorn Squash is an easy-to-cook squash recipe. You can cook it with home ingredients. It is a perfect side dish with a browned exterior and tender interior. We all usually buy Acorn Squash for Halloween and throw them out after some time. This is a total waste of a tasty vegetable. Here I will share a quick and easy Air Fryer Acorn Squash recipe.

Acorn Squash is a rich source of nutrients such as antioxidants and vitamin C. It’s a high-fibre food which also boosts digestive health.

Air Fryer Acorn Squash

What is Acorn Squash? Acorn squash looks like a cute little acorn. It's part of the zucchini family and has a gentle, buttery taste. 

Whether you're looking for a tasty side dish or a satisfying meal, squash has got you covered. If you're craving something sweet, you can even eat it as a tasty snack.

Why I Love Air Fryer Acorn Squash Recipe

• It is a simple recipe that you can make with home ingredients.
• You can customize the seasoning as per your choice. I use salt, pepper and dried rosemary, but you can customize it to your taste.
• The use of honey or maple syrup at the final moments makes a delicious sweet, and spicy combo that is simply irresistible.

Selecting The Best Acorn Squash Size For Cooking

Use Acorn Squash that is not too big and nor too small may be the size of a softball. Make sure it can stay in the air fryer basket without starting rolling. If it is a large-size squash, then the cooking time may vary slightly. I prefer to use a medium size squash for air frying.

Ingredients For Air Fryer Acorn Squash

• Whole Acorn Squash 1 Piece
• Vegetable Oil or Olive oil
• Honey or Maple syrup (Optional)
• Butter
• Salt
• Dried Rosemary
• Pepper

How to Make Acorn Squash in the Air Fryer

Preparing Acorn Squash

• Start with washing acorn squash with fresh water.
• Now cut the acorn squash into half with a sharp knife. 

• You will find seeds in the center part. Using a dinner spoon, scoop the seeds out.

Bonus Tip: Don’t waste the acorn squash seeds. You can roast them and enjoy them as a tasty snack.

Seasoning Acorn Squash

• At this moment, use vegetable oil to grease the acorn squash from outside. This will help prevent the acorn squash from drying out.

Air Fry Acorn Squash

• Take your air fryer and place both the acorn squash halves (cut side down) into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature of the air fryer to 325F. Air Fry acorn squash for almost 12-15 minutes.

• Remove the halves from the basket and lightly butter the inside of both cuts. Also, sprinkle some salt, pepper, and dried rosemary on them. 
• Place the squash halves (cut side up) again into the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer temp to 375F and air fry them for 5-10 minutes.
• You will see that the outside of the acorn squash is turned golden browned, and the inside becomes tender. They are ready now. Remove them from the air fryer.
• Before serving, drizzle maple syrup or honey for enhanced taste.

Pro Tips For Air Fryer Acorn Squash

• If you have a large squash piece, then cook one piece at a time.
• For cutting acorn squash, use a sharp knife. This will help you make slices easily.
• Use a dinner spoon to remove the seeds. They are presented in the center part of the acorn squash.
• Always use vegetable oil for oiling the squash surface for better results.
• Don’t over-season acorn squash. This will hurt its natural flavor. But if you prefer more seasoning, you can go with it.

There Are Multiple Ways to Enjoy Air Fryer Acorn Squash

1. Enjoy it as squash soup - Maybe you are a soup lover, so remove all the cooked juicy pulp of acorn squash and pour it into a soup pot. Apply some of your preferred seasonings and enjoy your squash soup.
2. As A Tasty Snack Bites - Having a home gathering and wanting a tasty snack. Peel the cooked acorn squash skin and cut it into small pieces or cubes. Apply your preferred seasoning and enjoy the acorn squash as tasty snack bites.
3. Serve as a side dish - You can serve it with many main dishes such as Air Fryer Cornish Hen, Frozen Tilapia Air Fryer, and more. Acorn Squash will make your meal a perfect meal.

Children also love it. Moms can present vegetables to their children as healthy snacks.

Recipe Variations

• In the final moments, you can use honey or maple syrup for a sweet and spicy taste. You can ignore this step for a basic taste.
• You can use Olive oil instead of vegetable oil. But I prefer Vegetable oil for the perfect taste.
• You can also add honey and brown sugar to the seasoning for a sweet twist.
• Combine grated Parmesan cheese with thyme. Coat the squash slices with this mixture before air frying. This will add a spicy crust to your simple squash.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Acorn Squash is a nutritious and tasty side dish. With its crispy exterior and sweet, tender flesh, it is great for any meal. The great thing about using an air fryer is that you can prepare delicious and crispy acorn squash with less oil. Air frying makes acorn squash a healthier option. So, grab your air fryer, follow our simple recipe, and enjoy this amazing Air Fryer Acorn Squash...Happy Eating!

Love this recipe? Don't forget to leave your feedback in the comments.

Some My Favorite Air Fryer Recipes

1. Frozen Green Beans Air Fryer
2. Butternut Squash Fries Air Fryer
3. Air Fryer Sausage Balls
4. Air Fryer Cabbage

FAQ’s

Can I Use Other Types Of Squash In Air Fryer?
Yes, you can use other types of squash, such as butternut squash or spaghetti squash, in an air fryer. Just adjust the cooking time and air fryer temperature accordingly.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Acorn Squash In Air Fryer?
On average, acorn squash takes about 20-25 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C). However, cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the slices and the air fryer model you're using.

Can I Freeze Air Fryer Acorn Squash For Later Use?

Yes, you can freeze acorn squash, but the texture may change slightly after thawing. It's best to enjoy air fryer acorn squash fresh for optimal taste and texture.

Is Air Fryer Acorn Squash Suitable For A Vegan Diet?
Yes, Air Fryer Acorn Squash is suitable for a vegan diet, but you have to use vegan-friendly seasonings. It's a delicious and nutritious option for vegans and vegetarians.

Can I Use The Seeds Of Acorn Squash In The Air Fryer?

Yes, you can air fry acorn squash seeds separately for a tasty and crunchy snack. First, clean them and then season the seeds with salt, pepper, and oil. Air Fry Acorn Squash seeds at a lower temperature until they turn golden brown. Enjoy.

Delicious Recipe

⏱️Cook Time

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

🥘Ingredients

• Whole Acorn Squash - 1
• Vegetable Oil or Olive oil – 2 Teaspoon
• Honey or Maple syrup – 2 Tablespoons (Optional)
• Butter – 1 Tablespoon
• Salt – To taste
• Dried Rosemary – To taste
• Pepper – To taste

📝Instructions

1. Start with washing acorn squash with fresh water.
2. Now cut the acorn squash into half with a sharp knife. You will find seeds in the centre part. Using a dinner spoon, scoop the seeds out.
3. Use vegetable oil to oil the acorn squash from the outside. This will help prevent the acorn squash from drying out.
4. Take your air fryer and place both the acorn squash halves (cut side down) into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature of the air fryer to 325F. Air Fry acorn squash for almost 12-15 minutes.
   
5. Remove the halves from the basket and lightly butter the inside of both cuts. Sprinkle some salt, pepper and dried rosemary. 
6. Place the squash halves (cut side up) again into the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer temp to 375F and air fry them for 5-10 minutes.
   
7. You will see that the outside of the acorn squash is turned golden browned, and the inside becomes tender. They are ready now. Remove them from the air fryer.
   
8. Before serving, drizzle maple syrup or honey for enhanced taste.
   

📝Recipe Notes

1. If you have a large squash piece, then cook one piece at a time.
2. For cutting acorn squash, use a sharp and heavy knife. This will help you make amazing slices.
3. Use a dinner spoon to remove the seeds. They are presented in the center part of the acorn squash.
4. Always use vegetable oil for oiling the squash surface for better results.
5. Don’t over-season acorn squash. This will hurt the natural its natural flavor. But if you prefer more seasoning, you can go with it.

🔍Nutrition

Calories: 172KcalFat: 6gCarbohydrates: 44gCholestrol: 99mgFiber: 6gCalcium: 30mgSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gProtein: 2gSugar: 5gSodium: 13mgVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 143mg