This Air Fryer Acorn Squash is a delicious and healthy fall side dish that offers a savory twist to traditionally sweet acorn squash recipes. It's a great addition to your weeknight dinners or holiday feasts. Oven instructions included too.
Acorn squash, with its sweet, slightly nutty flavor, is one of my favorite vegetables to cook once the fall season rolls around. While sweet preparations are common, my savory Air Fryer Acorn Squash takes a different route, using savory ingredients to complement its flavor rather than the usual brown sugar or maple syrup.
The best part? It's all cooked to perfection in the air fryer with minimal oil. That makes this air fryer acorn squash a healthy and quick addition to your fall dinner table.
Because of the way air fryers circulate hot air, they're actually terrific for roasting vegetables to perfection. I make everything from butternut squash to baked sweet potatoes, zucchini fries, and spaghetti squash in my trusty air fryer. Read my post on Why You Need An Air Fryer In Your Life.
To cook acorn squash in the air fryer, I slice the squash and toss it with savory herbs to complement its sweet flavor. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a layer of richness to this delicious side dish. Try it once, and it might just become your new favorite way to enjoy acorn squash!
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What is Acorn Squash?
Acorn squash is a type of winter squash known for its distinctive shape, which resembles... an acorn! Hence, the name.
It has a dark green, ridged skin and bright orange flesh on the inside. Its flavor is mildly sweet and nutty, making it a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes.
You can roast, bake, steam, air fry, or even mash acorn squash to create a variety of recipes, from simple side dishes to more complex main courses and soups.
Unlike other winter squash varieties, the skin of acorn squash becomes tender when cooked and is edible. So, there's no need to peel this vegetable before cooking.
Acorn squash is not only delicious but also nutritious, rich in many essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber (see "Doctor's Tips" section below).
Why You'll Love This Dish
- Quick and Easy: This air fryer acorn squash recipe is a breeze to make- it's a perfect choice for busy weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings.
- Healthy Choice: Air frying means minimal oil is needed. Plus, acorn squash is packed with vitamins and nutrients.
- Versatile Side: This simple side dish pairs well with a variety of main dishes. including roasted chicken, turkey, pork, or your favorite vegetarian dishes.
- Savory Twist: This savory acorn squash is the perfect side dish and a nice change from the traditional sweet acorn squash preparations.
- Cold Weather Comfort- It's a fantastic addition to your fall and winter meals.
Doctor's Tips
Acorn squash is a nutritional powerhouse! It is:
- Low in calories but high in essential nutrients
- An excellent source of vitamin C, which is crucial for a healthy immune system and skin health
- Packed with antioxidants, including beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, which supports good vision and immune function
- A good source of essential minerals like magnesium and potassium, which is important for maintaining a healthy blood pressure and proper muscle function
- High in dietary fiber, which aids digestion, promotes a feeling of fullness, and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels
Remember, don't discard the skin! The dark green skin of acorn squash is not only edible but also packed with nutrients including fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants!
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions (see recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredient list):
- Acorn squash- Choose firm, small to medium acorn squash with smooth, unblemished skin.
- Oil- I like to use olive oil or avocado oil for my air fryer recipes.
- Spices- I use a combination of dried Italian seasoning (which is a mixture of basil, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage), garlic powder, and kosher salt; however the sky's the limit with this recipe! You can use any spices that you like including thyme, paprika, chili powder, black pepper or even red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Parmesan cheese- I like to use freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in this recipe; freshly grated cheese melts so much better than pre-grated cheese. It becomes lightly crispy in the air fryer and takes this dish over the top!
Not sure what types of oils to use in your air fryer? Read my post on The Best Oils and Oil Sprays for the Air Fryer.
Equipment
Best Air Fryer
Looking for an air fryer? I love the Ninja Max XL 5.5 quart Air Fryer. The large basket is perfect for a family of four.
How To Cook Acorn Squash In The Air Fryer Step-By-Step
Scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post for the full recipe.
- Step 1- Slice the acorn squash in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. To make it easier to cut the squash, I recommend heating it in the microwave for 1 ½-2 minutes first to soften it. See "Chef's Tips" section below to learn how to do this.
- Step 2- Scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
- Step 3- Place the squash halves cut side down on a cutting board. Slice the squash into half moons, about ¾-inch thick.
- Step 4- Place the cut squash slices in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and parmesan cheese.
- Step 5- Preheat air fryer to 390°F. Place the squash in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to cook it in batches depending on the size of your air fryer).
- Step 6- Cook 10-14 minutes until squash is light golden brown and fork tender. Flip the squash halfway through. Arrange squash on a platter and top with more grated cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.
How To Make Savory Acorn Squash In The Oven
If you don't have an air fryer, don't worry! You can make this savory acorn squash recipe in the oven.
To cook this savory acorn squash in the oven, preheat oven to 425°F. Place the squash slices on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until done.
You can also cook acorn squash in minutes in the microwave! Read my post on the best way to cook acorn squash in the microwave.
Learn how to adapt any recipe to cook in your air fryer! Read my Easy Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Guide and get my helpful conversion chart!
Chef's Tips
- Acorn squash can be difficult to cut so I recommend microwaving it first to soften it. I do the same thing when roasting spaghetti squash. To soften acorn squash in the microwave, first make a few incisions in the squash using a knife or fork, to allow steam to escape. Then place the squash on a plate and microwave it on high heat for 1 ½-2 minutes. When the squash is cool enough to handle, slice it as per the recipe.
- The cooking time in the air fryer will depend on whether or not you microwave it first. Microwaving the acorn squash will shorten the final cooking time.
- I recommend using freshly grated parmesan cheese for this recipe. It melts better than pre-grated cheese and makes such a difference in this dish.
- If you prefer a sweet acorn squash dish, try my maple syrup glazed acorn squash instead.
- Leftover air fryer acorn squash can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
How To Serve This Dish
Once it comes out of the air fryer, I like to arrange the cooked acorn squash on a serving platter and top it with more freshly grated parmesan cheese for an extra pop of flavor. You can also top it with fresh herbs like parsley or chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
This healthy air fryer acorn squash is a versatile dish that pairs well with a wide variety of main dishes. Serve it with roast chicken, pork tenderloin or my air fryer turkey tenderloin.
You can also serve this savory acorn squash with a grain dish like my quinoa with roasted vegetables or a salad like my Tuscan kale and apple salad.
Air fryer acorn squash is also an excellent addition to your Thanksgiving menu alongside traditional sides like mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and sweet potato casserole.
Recommended Air Fryer Accessories
Line your air fryer basket with these reusable perforated silicone mats. You can buy square or round mats. The holes allow hot air to circulate around the food prevent it from sticking.
You can also line your air fryer basket with one-time-use perforated parchment sheets. They come in different shapes, sizes and colors- white or brown (unbleached).
This EVO oil sprayer is perfect for evenly spraying your food and air fryer basket with oil. It doesn't clog up like many other brands.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, the skin of acorn squash becomes tender when cooked and is edible. The skin is very nutritious and contains fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants!
Yes, air frying is a fantastic way to prepare squash because it allows you to achieve a delicious caramelization and crispy texture while using significantly less oil than traditional frying methods. The air fryer also cooks squash much faster than in the oven.
To soften acorn squash in the microwave, first make a few incisions in the squash using a knife or fork, to allow steam to escape. Then place the squash on a plate and microwave it on high heat for 2 minutes.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium acorn squash
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ ounce freshly grated parmesan cheese (about ¼ cup)
- Optional: grated parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Optional: To soften the squash in the microwave before cutting it, pierce the squash all over with a small knife. Place it on a plate and microwave for 1 ½-2 minutes. Let squash cool a few minutes until it's cool enough to handle.
- Slice the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Place squash halves cut side down on a cutting board and slice into half moons, about ¾-inch thick.
- Place the squash slices in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and parmesan cheese. Toss to coat the slices well with the spices and cheese.
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
- Place the squash in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to cook it in batches depending on the size of your air fryer). Sprinkle any remaining parmesan mixture from the bowl onto the squash. Cook 10-14 minutes until squash is light golden brown and fork tender. Flip the squash halfway through.
- Transfer cooked squash to a serving platter. Top with some additional freshly grated cheese, if desired.
To make this dish in the oven:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Place the squash slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until done.
Notes
-
- Acorn squash can be difficult to cut so I recommend microwaving it for 1 ½-2 minutes first to soften it. To soften acorn squash in the microwave, first make a few incisions in the squash using a knife or fork, to allow steam to escape. Then place the squash on a plate and microwave it on high heat for 2 minutes. When the squash is cool enough to handle, slice it as per the recipe.
- The final cook time of the squash in the air fryer will depend on whether or not you microwave it first. Microwaving it will make the final cook time shorter.
- I recommend using freshly grated parmesan cheese for this recipe. It melts better than pre-grated cheese and makes such a difference in this dish.
- If you prefer a sweet acorn squash dish, try my maple glazed acorn squash.
- Leftover air fryer acorn squash can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
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