Try this Air Fryer Acorn Squash for a quick and healthy side dish! Enjoy acorn squash any night of the week with this recipe that’s ready in just 16 minutes.
If you adore your air fryer like I do, also try this Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and these Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes.
Contents
Roasted Acorn Squash Slices – in an Air Fryer!
There’s something so cozy about winter squash recipes in the cooler months. I love hot meals, and our bodies naturally crave carbs when it’s cold outside.
Satisfy those carb cravings in a healthy way, with low calorie, high fiber Acorn squash!
I love using acorn squash as a base for my salads and meats. It’s the perfect way to warm up a simple healthy lunch.
If you’ve never cooked an acorn squash before, learn how to make Roasted Acorn Squash. Baking the squash simply cut in half is an easy way to prepare it, but it takes time to bake it.
When you’re short on time, an air fryer is the perfect cooking method! It’s as simple as slicing up the acorn squash, drizzling it with olive oil, and seasoning it with salt and pepper.
Toss it in the air fryer for 12 minutes, and a tasty hot side dish is ready!
What You’ll Need
- Acorn Squash
- Avocado Oil or Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Optional: Add sweetness with a sprinkle of coconut sugar, honey, or maple syrup!
What Air Fryer is the Best?
For 1-2 People: I use the 4 quart Ninja Air Fryer, and love it.
Recommended for 3-5 people: If you have more mouths to feed, try the Ninja 5.5 quart Air Fryer.
How to Cook Acorn Squash in an Air Fryer
Step 1: Slice the butternut squash in half, and remove the seeds and pith with a spoon. Then slice each half into 6-8 small wedges.
Step 2: Drizzle or spray the acorn squash slices with avocado or olive oil. Season generously with sea salt and pepper. You can also season with 1-2 tablespoons of coconut sugar, honey, or maple syrup, if desired.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 325º F for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Cook the acorn squash in the air fryer for 15 minutes. The edges will begin to brown and caramelize, and the squash should be soft throughout.
How to Cut Acorn Squash in Half
Winter squash are difficult to cut! Use a very sharp, large knife, and the squash will cut with some patience.
If you do not have a knife or find your squash too difficult to cut, pierce the skin a few times with a knife, and then either steam the squash for the 10 minutes, or microwave the squash for 4 minutes. The point is not to cook the squash, but to soften the outer part of the squash so that it’s easier to cook.
Allow the squash to cool for 5-10 minutes until it’s cool enough to touch, and then cut the squash in half.
How to Serve Acorn Squash
- With butter or browned butter.
- As the base of a hot salad. Top with arugula and pecans and drizzle some of your favorite vinaigrette.
- As a side dish for a holiday dinner. If your oven is occupied with turkey and stuffing, then this is a great option for cooking your squash!
How to Store Leftover Acorn Squash
Other Winter Squash Recipes
- Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
- How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
- How to Cook Butternut Squash
- How to Cook Delicata Squash
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Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Equipment
- Air Fryer *see post for a recommendation on a larger air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 acorn squash
- olive oil or avocado oil
- sea salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup sub honey or coconut sugar, optional
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 325º F for 5 minutes while slicing your acorn squash.
- Cut the squash in half. Remove the seeds and pith with a spoon.
- Spray or brush the squash with oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, also drizzle or sprinkle with coconut sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
- Air fry squash for 15 minutes. My small air fryer can hold half of a large acorn squash at 1 time. Repeat with the rest of the squash.
Video
Notes
How to Cut Acorn Squash in Half
Winter squash are difficult to cut! Use a very sharp, large knife, and the squash will cut with some patience.
If you do not have a knife or find your squash too difficult to cut, pierce the skin a few times with a knife, and then either steam the squash for the 10 minutes, or microwave the squash for 4 minutes. The point is not to cook the squash, but to soften the outer part of the squash so that it’s easier to cook.
Allow the squash to cool for 5-10 minutes until it’s cool enough to touch, and then cut the squash in half.
How to Serve Acorn Squash
- With butter or browned butter.
- As the base of a hot salad. Top with arugula and pecans and drizzle some of your favorite vinaigrette.
- As a side dish for a holiday dinner. If your oven is occupied with turkey and stuffing, then this is a great option for cooking your squash!
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