Air Fryer Acorn Squash

This air fryer acorn squash is an easy, mess-free way to cook winter squash! Use your Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid and your favorite seasonings.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Meal Prep

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Servings: people (½ squash per serving)

Calories: 246kcal

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.)
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.
Put the air fryer lid in place, and air fry for 25 minutes at 400°F.
The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid will beep halfway through the cook time and tell you to turn the food. 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.
Add sugar or syrup if desired. Serve squash immediately as a side dish, or use the cooked squash in another recipe.

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