This Air Fryer Acorn Squash is incredibly simple and quicker than using the oven! Perfect for Fall weeknight dinners, use your air fryer for delicious fork tender acorn squash – with sweet or savory seasoning options!
Air fryers are pure magic and worth every square volume of space they take up on your counter or in your kitchen storage. They do things that other appliances simply can not do (or that take multiple cups to do!). For example: Chimichangas, Apple Chips, and Taquitos. Point made.
Acorn Squash in an Air Fryer
Traditionally, I’ve always roasted my acorn squash in the oven. And I liked it like that. Butter = required. Also some sugar and some cinnamon. But pretty good and one of my favorite squashes.
Fast forward. It’s 2019, Fall. I feel like an air fryer pro. Squash is in season. Acorn squash comes in my produce box. Let’s do this.
From test one, I knew I’d keep making acorn squash like this forever. It’s a keeper, people.
Here’s why air fryer acorn squash is better than oven roasted acorn squash (in my opinion):
- Quicker than the oven – 20 minutes of cook time vs. 25-40 + preheat time!
- Also leaves room in the oven for other things to cook if that’s ever a problem.
- Fork tender, but not mushy. Slightly crispy edges but soft on the inside!
Start by washing and drying your acorn squash. Cut the top stem portion and the bottom pointy portion off of the acorn squash. Cut the acorn squash by placing the largest flat side on your cutting surface and slicing in half from top to bottom. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon or melon baller.
To cut the acorn squash into quarter moons, place one half of the squash cut side down on the cutting surface. Cut side to side into approximately 1 inch thick slices. Next, cut each half moon in half in the middle, and you have quarter moon acorn squash pieces!
Put acorn squash quarter moon pieces into a medium sized bowl with oil and sweet or savory seasonings (your choice!). Mix with tongs until all the squash is coated and then place the squash into the air fryer basket.
Air fry the squash pieces at about 375F for 16-20 minutes, flipping and rotating the squash pieces halfway through. They’re done when they’re fork tender and just starting to get browned edges.
What foods go with air fryer acorn squash?
I would suggest serving the Air Fryer Acorn Squash with a classic main dish such as a roast chicken and another vegetable side or grain such as wild rice.
This savory version of this Air Fryer Acorn Squash is also technically Whole30 compliant, and could be served alongside some of these Whole30 dinner recipes that I love.
What kind of air fryer do you use?
For all my air fryer recipes, I use the Philips 2.75 qt Viva Air Fryer (affiliate link!), and I love it! (This is an older model but I still love mine!) Frozen things that are normally baked or fried come out crispier than I’ve ever tasted. For this recipe, I love the time saved by not having to preheat the oven!
Update 11/5/2020: I have upgraded to a Cosori XL 5.8 qt Air Fryer (affiliate link!) – it’s a larger air fryer and can air fry more food at one time. What’s not to love? Plus I can set the temperature digitally!
Which is better: Sweet or Savory Air Fryer Acorn Squash?
I can’t lie to you, sweet acorn squash is my favorite. I used to drown it in butter and brown sugar, but now my air fryer version simply uses a touch of honey along with cinnamon and nutmeg. SO GOOD.
Savory is also wonderful, seasoned with just garlic, onion and oregano. This version does have less calories and is going to be Whole30 compliant, if that’s important to you.
Store leftover cooked squash in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To freeze leftover cooked acorn squash, arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze overnight, then move to an airtight freezer safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.
To reheat from the fridge, air fry at 350F for 5-6 minutes.
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Air Fryer Acorn Squash (Two Ways!)
This Air Fryer Acorn Squash is incredibly simple and quicker than using the oven! Perfect for Fall weeknight dinners, use your air fryer for delicious fork tender acorn squash – with sweet or savory seasoning options!
- Total Time25 minutes
- Yield2 large servings 1x
Ingredients
Savory:
- 1 acorn squash, top stem, seeds and bottom removed, cut into quarter moons
- avocado spray oil, about 1 tablespoon
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Sweet:
- 1 acorn squash, top stem, seeds and bottom removed, cut into quarter moons
- avocado spray oil, about 1 tablespoon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prep: In a medium mixing bowl, add acorn squash pieces and spray with roughly 1 tablespoon of spray oil, or until most of the squash is coated in a light layer of oil. Add sweet OR savory seasoning ingredients. Use tongs to mix until all the squash pieces are evenly coated in oil and spices.
- Air fry: Add the acorn squash pieces to the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 375F and air fry the acorn squash pieces for 15-20 minutes, flipping and rotating the squash halfway through cooking. Squash is done with the pieces are fork tender and the edges are just starting to brown.
- Serve: Serve as a side with dinner! Recipe suggestions above. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
Nutrition information estimated with My Fitness Pal with savory seasonings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sides
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 squash
- Calories: 137
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
Did You Make This?
I love seeing what you made! Leave a review below, and be sure to tag me at @ProjectMealPlan when you share a photo!
the sweet acorn squash is amazing. family favorite and very easy! this will be my 3rd time making it and never realized it hadn’t been rated yet!
Hi Tara – Thank you so much for this review and rating! I appreciate it so much, especially being the first one! I’m so happy your family loves this squash! -Danielle