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    Home » Garden To Table

    Air Fryer Acorn Squash

    Published: Jan 9, 2021 · Modified: Jan 8, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Save Recipe Saved!

    This air fryer acorn squash is an easy, mess-free way to cook winter squash! Use your favorite seasonings for a delicious side dish.

    air fryer acorn squash on a serving platter

    Earlier this year, friends dropped off a massive box of acorn squash.

    We have the best friends!

    Over the past few months, we've eaten lots and lots of acorn squash. We've roasted it, stuffed it, and made lots of acorn squash pasta sauce.

    The more often I cooked the squash, though, the more I wanted to try a few different cooking options.

    And guys, I found my new favorite way to cook acorn squash.

    That's right, swap oven-roasted squash for air fryer acorn squash!

    Looking for more winter squash recipes? Try making roasted kabocha squash soup, butternut squash risotto, butternut squash lasagna, spaghetti squash gratin and delicata squash salad.

    What Air Fryer Do You Use?

    I use a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7-in-1 and an Air Fryer Lid. You need both the Instant Pot and the air fryer lid for this recipe.

    Note: The official Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid seems to be discontinued. You can find off-brand air fryer lids that are labeled as fitting the Instant Pot, or you can use a dedicated air fryer. Some time adjustments may be needed, as each brand seems to cook slightly differently.

    Is the Air-Fryer Faster Than the Oven?

    Yes!

    The cook time is basically the same, but the air fryer will pre-heat much more quickly than an oven.

    Want more air fryer recipes? Try making air fryer kale chips, air fryer salmon and air fried pickles.

    Mess-Free Cooking

    My favorite thing about making air fryer acorn squash is that it's so much less messy!

    No, oven-roasted squash is not particularly messy, but the outside of the squash skin and the baking sheet are often a little greasy after cooking.

    Air fryer acorn squash isn't greasy at all!

    Does the Acorn Squash Size Matter?

    Yes, it does, because you're limited by the size of the air fryer basket.

    This recipe works best with medium-sized or small acorn squash. Basically, the squash needs to fit inside the air fryer!

    If your squash is just a little bit too large, you can trim off the pointed ends or quarter the squash.

    How to Prepare Air Fryer Acorn Squash

    Start by cutting the squash in half.

    Scoop out the seeds and membrane with a spoon.

    Halve Squash + Remove Seeds
    Halve Squash + Remove Seeds

    How to Make Air Fryer Acorn Squash

    Start by seasoning the squash.

    Drizzle it with olive oil or add a knob of butter (or vegan butter) to the middle of the squash.

    Sprinkle the squash with cinnamon (or whatever seasoning you prefer) and sea salt.

    Place half the squash skin-side down in the bottom of the air fryer basket.

    Add Seasoned Squash to Air Fryer Basket
    Add Seasoned Squash to Air Fryer Basket

    Add the air fryer shelf.

    Set the other half of the squash on the shelf.

    Add Shelf + Remaining Squash Half
    Add Shelf + Remaining Squash Half

    Air fry the squash for about 25 minutes or until tender.

    The cook time will depend on the size of the squash.

    Air Fry Until Tender
    Air Fry Until Tender

    At this point, you can use the squash in another recipe or serve it as a side dish.

    I like to sprinkle a little brown sugar on the squash before serving.

    air fryer acorn squash on a serving platter

    Looking for more acorn squash ideas? Try making these acorn squash crostini from Girl Heart Food!

    air fryer acorn squash on a serving platter
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Air Fryer Acorn Squash

    This air fryer acorn squash is an easy, mess-free way to cook winter squash! Use your favorite seasonings for a delicious side dish.
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Meal Prep
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Servings: 2 people (½ squash per serving)
    Calories: 246kcal
    Freezer Friendly?
    No
    Will It Keep?
    4 Days (Fridge)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot (I use this one)
    • + Air Fryer Lid for Instant Pot

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds acorn squash, halved with seeds + membrane removed See Recipe Notes
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter Vegan butter or ghee will also work perfectly.
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Or use a spice of your choice (I like a mixture paprika and red chili flakes)
    • brown sugar or syrup (optional)

    Instructions

    • Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
      Set the acorn squash skin-side down. Drizzle oil over the squash, or divide the butter between the squash. (If using butter, simply place it in the middle of each squash half.)
      Sprinkle each half with the salt and cinnamon (or your favorite spice/spice mixture.)
      Halve Squash + Remove Seeds
    • Add one-half of the squash the to the air fryer basket (flesh-side up). Add the air fryer shelf, and set the remaining squash half on the shelf.
      If your acorn squash is too large to fit easily in the basket, check the Recipe Notes.
      Add Shelf + Remaining Squash Half
    • Put the air fryer lid in place, and air fry for 25 minutes at 400°F.
      If your air fryer beeps to tell you to turn the food, know that for this recipe, you do not need to turn the squash.
      Check squash after 25 minutes. If it isn't tender, air fry 3-5 more minutes (or until tender).
      Note that the squash half on the top layer of the air fryer basket may cook more quickly than the squash on the bottom layer. Make sure to check both squash halves for tenderness, and cook the bottom squash a few minutes longer if necessary.
      Note that not all air fryers are alike, and the size of the squash will greatly impact cook time, so the exact cook time for may vary.
      Air Fry Until Tender
    • Add sugar or syrup if desired. Serve squash immediately as a side dish, or use the cooked squash in another recipe.
      air fryer acorn squash on a serving platter

    Notes

    My acorn squash is too big for the basket!  Try these tips:
    • If it's just barely too tall, use a knife to cut off the pointed bottom (on each half if needed).
    • If it's too wide, try quartering the squash.
    • Very large squash may simply be too large for the air fryer.  Instead, roast in the oven flesh-side down at 400°F until tender (20-25 minutes).
    Prepare Ahead: The squash can be air fried and refrigerated up to two days before serving.  Optionally, use the air fryer to reheat until warmed through.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 246kcal (12%) | Carbohydrates: 48g (16%) | Protein: 4g (8%) | Fat: 7g (11%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Sodium: 595mg (26%) | Potassium: 1574mg (45%) | Fiber: 7g (29%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 1665IU (33%) | Vitamin C: 50mg (61%) | Calcium: 160mg (16%) | Iron: 3mg (17%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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