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–+ servings
Roasted acorn squash in an air fryer.
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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Acorn Squash Recipe

Air fryer acorn squash cooks quickly and takes on a deep, caramelized flavor without any extra work from you. The texture turns soft enough to scoop with a fork but still holds its shape, so it serves cleanly without falling apart. It's a simple side dish, tastes great, and doesn’t ask you to rearrange your entire evening to get it on the dinner table.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Sides
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer, air fryer acorn squash, easy, quick, vegan, vegetarian
Servings: 2 Servings
Calories: 109kcal
Author: Bethany Galloway

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 acorn squash
  • spray oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • 1-2 pinches salt to taste
  • 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • extra honey or maple syrup to drizzle (optional)

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating the air fryer to 370°F/190°C.
  • Cut the acorn squash in half and scrape out the seeds with a spoon (see note 1 for roasting the seeds).
    Seeds scooped out of a halved acorn squash and placed in a small white bowl.
  • Spray the acorn squash halves with oil.
    Oil sprayed on two halves of an acorn squash.
  • Place them in the air fryer basket, cut side up, and air fry for 20 minutes.
    Raw acorn squash in an air fryer.
  • After 20 minutes, open the air fryer basket. Spray a little more oil on the acorn squash halves, sprinkle the cinnamon and salt over them, and drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
    Drizzling honey over an acorn squash in the air fryer.
  • Air fry for 5 more minutes, or until the flesh is golden brown and tender. Drizzle with extra honey/maple syrup if desired and enjoy!
    Roasted acorn squash in an air fryer.

Notes

  • Roasted Acorn Squash Seeds: Check out our recipe on How to Roast Acorn Squash Seeds! They're delicious, healthy, ready in 15 minutes, and a great way to use up the whole squash.
  • Check firmness: Choose squash that feels solid with no soft spots for the best texture.
  • Size awareness: Smaller squash cook more evenly in the air fryer; larger ones can be quartered to fit, depending on the size of your air fryer.
  • Single layer: Give each piece space in the air fryer basket so the hot air can circulate properly.
  • Watch the sugars: Add honey or maple syrup toward the end to avoid burning.
  • Melted butter option: A small pat of unsalted butter added in the last few minutes creates a rich finish.
  • Seasoning flexibility: Cinnamon works well, but garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, or paprika shift it into a savory direction if that’s what you prefer.
 

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Cool first: Let the squash reach room temperature before storing so condensation doesn’t make it soggy.
  • Airtight container: Keep it sealed in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat: Warm it in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the texture; thaw overnight if frozen.

Nutrition

Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 754mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 792IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 2mg