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❤️ Why you'll love it
- Air fryer squash has a shorter cook time than oven-roasted
- An easy, delicious side dish or use it in your main course
- Full of vitamin C to boost your family's immune systems during the winter months
In less than a half hour and with just a little bit of melted butter, you can have delicious air fryer acorn squash.
It only takes about five minutes of prep and is my favorite way to enhance a winter side dish—or, enjoy it as the star of the meal!
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the squash in half. Scoop out the seeds and brush the insides with butter.
- Place the squash cut side down into the air fryer basket and cook.
- After ten minutes, turn the squash halves over.
- Air fry for ten to fifteen minutes more.
🥫 Storage
Air-fried acorn squash makes a yummy, healthy side dish, and you can prep it in advance to save it for quick, easy meals any time you want!
Store the cooked and cooled squash in an airtight container. You can keep the skin on or store cubed squashed pieces—any way you prefer to consume it.
Leftover air fryer acorn squash lasts for about four days in the refrigerator or up to twelve months in the freezer—a great way to enjoy your favorite type of winter squash all year-'round! Microwave refrigerated or frozen leftovers until warm.
📖 Variations
- You can make this easy air fryer recipe in your oven. Follow the directions as written, laying the squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet. Cook at 400 degrees F for about an hour, or a little more, until it's fork-tender.
- Have another variety of squash on hand? You can roast most fall/winter squashes in the air fryer. Try using small spaghetti squash, buttercup squash, or hubbard squash. Air fryer butternut squash is also delicious! Depending on the size of your squash, however, cooking time may vary a little.
- Trying to avoid dairy? Brush the squash with olive oil before cooking, instead of butter.
- After the first ten minutes of baking, sprinkle the inside of the squash with brown sugar and some cinnamon or a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet side dish.
- Or, finish the roasted acorn squash with fresh herbs and sea salt to add a savory element to the dinner table.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: If your squash is too hard to cut, place the whole thing in the microwave for a minute. It should soften just enough to cut more easily through the tougher skin.
- When selecting squash, look for ones that feel heavy for their size. The skin should be smooth and on the duller side, but there shouldn't be any soft or squishy spots.
- Be extra careful when attempting to cut squash. Use a sturdy cutting board and a heavy chef's knife for the best results.
- A large metal spoon is the easiest way to scoop out the seeds and fibrous squash insides.
- However, don't toss the seeds! Roast them in a single layer on a baking sheet for an extra fun treat!
- Depending on the type of air fryer you have and the thickness of the skin of the acorn squash, cook time may vary. If you are air frying a small squash, test for doneness 2-3 minutes before cook time is over. The squash should feel easy to pierce with a fork, but still firm enough that it's not mushy.
👩🍳 FAQs
It's similar to other types of squash, with a mild, nutty flavor. Sweet acorn squash has a more fibrous texture than butternut, but only slightly. With a little oil and some salt, the edges of air-fried acorn squash will turn golden brown, caramelized, and totally delicious.
There are so many ways to serve air-fried squash. You can leave the skin on and serve the halves as "boats." Try filling them with wild rice or quinoa stuffing for an impressive and easy fall side dish!
Or, scoop out the flesh of the squash, dice or mash it up, season it with your favorite savory seasonings, and just like that, you've got a satisfying accompaniment to dinner.
Nope! It's moist but caramelized around the edges and perfectly tender. Cooking it cut-side-down first helps to prevent the squash from becoming too watery.
📚 Related recipes
- These Baked or Air-Fried Sweet Potato Fries come out perfectly every time—so addicting and delicious, you'll forget they're a healthy dish!
- With tangy sour cream, crisp onions, and cornbread stuffing mix, this Squash Casserole is a unique dish that no one can resist.
- Move over, pumpkin. Butternut Squash Pie is sweet, nutty, and creamy—it's a lighter, more delicate version of the classic Thanksgiving treat.
🍽️ Serve with...
🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends
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📞 The last word
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If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 2 pounds of acorn squash, one medium sized squash
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Rinse the squash and wipe dry with paper towels. Remove any sticky labels.
- Cut in half lengthwise with a sharp knife.
- Remove seeds and stringy stuff.
- Brush the cut side and hollow (where the seeds were) with melted butter.
- Place cut side down in the basket and air fry at 400F for 10 minutes.
- Flip cut side up and air fry for 10 - 15 more minutes or until tender.
- Remove from basket and let cool slightly.
- Serve as is or spoon out of the shells and mash with a fork - or use as directed in your recipe.
Notes
- If your squash is too hard to cut, place the whole thing in the microwave for a minute. It should soften just enough to cut more easily through the tougher skin.
- When selecting squash, look for ones that feel heavy for their size. The skin should be smooth and on the duller side, but there shouldn't be any soft or squishy spots.
- Be extra careful when attempting to cut squash. Use a sturdy cutting board and a heavy chef's knife for the best results.
- A large metal spoon is the easiest way to scoop out the seeds and fibrous squash insides.
- However, don't toss the seeds! Roast them in a single layer on a baking sheet for an extra fun treat!
- Depending on the type of air fryer you have and the thickness of the skin of the acorn squash, cook time may vary. If you are air frying a small squash, test for doneness 2-3 minutes before cook time is over. The squash should feel easy to pierce with a fork, but still firm enough that it's not mushy.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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