Savory air fryer acorn squash cooks in a fraction of the time, delivering tender, caramelized squash in about 20 minutes. Pair the versatile side dish with festive holiday meals like za’atar turkey and boneless leg of lamb, or weeknight favorites like steak, pot roast, pork chops, and roasted chicken.
What is Acorn Squash?
Don’t sleep on acorn squash! With its sweet, nutty flavor and creamy texture, air fryer acorn squash is the perfect way to elevate any meal.
Step aside butternut and spaghetti squash–acorn squash is the underrated side dish you didn’t know you needed.
The nutrient-packed vegetable has a signature acorn shape, green skin, and vibrant orange flesh. Although you can find it in the grocery store throughout the year, the mild, buttery-tasting winter squash is harvested in the fall and winter months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best thing about air frying the acorn squash is how easily the perfect fall side dish comes together. Just slice, season, and let your air fryer handle the rest. Here’s what you need to get started.
- Acorn Squash: You will need a 2-3 pound acorn squash to make this recipe.
How to Choose an Acorn Squash
Select a small acorn squash with lighter green skin and a touch of orange, signaling it is ripe and ready to cook—too much orange can mean it is overripe. It should be firm to the touch and free of soft spots and blemishes.
- Olive Oil: Toss the acorn squash with extra-virgin olive oil, or swap it out for melted butter.
- Spices: Season the air fryer acorn squash with kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of cayenne pepper to balance the natural sweetness of the squash.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar helps create delicious caramelization for additional flavor.
Additions and Substitutions
I love how versatile acorn squash is—you can easily tailor it to be sweet or savory, depending on what you pair it with.
- Spice things up. Flavor the simple side dish with savory seasonings. Ras el hanout, Pakistani garam masala, or Cajun spices like this Slap Ya Mama Seasoning recipe are a few great options.
- Add fresh fruit. Cook the squash with apple slices and fresh cranberries, or top it with pomegranate seeds for a fresh-tasting flavor.
- Switch up the sweetener. Swap brown sugar for honey, maple syrup, balsamic glaze, or a sugar-free alternative like golden monk fruit.
- Top it off. Finish the roasted acorn squash with fresh herbs, ground Italian sausage, crispy bacon bits, hulled pumpkin seeds, grated parmesan cheese, or asiago cheese for a savory twist.
Tools You’ll Need
All you need to whip up this easy air fryer acorn squash recipe is a sharp knife, a mixing bowl, and an air fryer with a large basket. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, no worries! Cook the squash in batches.
Prepare the Acorn Squash
Slice the Squash in Half
1. Use a sharp knife to cut the squash in half from the stem to the bottom.
Do you peel the acorn squash before cooking?
There is no need to peel the squash– the skin becomes tender as it cooks, and it is okay to eat. However, if you don’t like the texture, the skin peels off easily after the squash cooks in the air fryer.
Remove the Seeds
2. Scoop out the insides and discard, or set the seeds aside to roast like pumpkin seeds.
Slice the Squash
3. Cut the halves into in slices.
Cube the Squash
4. Cut the slices into 1-inch cubes.
How to Make Air Fryer Acorn Squash
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (176°C). Toss the acorn squash in a mixing bowl with olive oil, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar.
Step 2: Transfer the squash to the air fryer basket. Arrange the pieces in a single layer and cook for 18-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Expert Tips
- Arrange the squash in a single layer. Depending on the type of air fryer you use, you may need to cook the squash in batches to ensure the hot air circulates freely around the pieces.
- Shake the basket. Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure the squash cooks evenly. My air fryer sends a helpful reminder when it’s time to shake.
Whip up the easy side dish and pair it with one of these fall recipes!
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer acorn squash is a fork tender vegetable you can pair with meals like this juicy bison steak recipe, pork tenderloin, and lamb shoulder chops, or use it as a delicious topping for fall kale salad.
Toss the squash with your favorite pasta and homemade sugo al pomodoro or pistachio pesto for a quick dinner idea.
Top autumn-inspired protein bowls with the acorn squash, and mix it with other seasonal vegetables, thin-cut chicken breast, baked shrimp skewers, dutch oven pulled chicken, air fryer ribeye steak, and quinoa or rice for a hearty and flavorful meal.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store the leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: Warm the squash in the microwave or air fryer at 350°F (176°C) for 3-5 minutes to preserve the texture.
- Repurpose: Use the air fryer squash to make a hearty casserole, mash it with butter for an alternative to mashed potatoes, or blend the leftovers into a creamy acorn soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook a whole acorn squash in the air fryer?
You sure can. Check out my tips for how to cook acorn squash in the oven, microwave, Instant Pot, or air fryer.
How long to cook acorn squash in the air fryer?
Whether you’re roasting a whole squash or cutting it into smaller pieces, air frying at 400°F (176°C) for 20 minutes is my go-to method for perfectly cooked squash.
Can I make acorn squash in the oven?
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (176°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. Pierce the outside of the squash with a fork and coat both sides with olive oil. Then, season the inside with kosher salt and black pepper.
3. Place the squash halves face down on the baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes. Flip and continue cooking for 20 minutes. You can also arrange the squash into pieces on the baking sheet if you prefer.
4. Remove the squash from the oven and let it cool before serving.
What does acorn squash taste like?
With its mild, nutty flavor and buttery sweetness, this tasty side dish earns a spot at your dinner table.
More Air Fryer Recipes:
Air Fryer Acorn Squash
- 2 pound acorn squash
- 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (176°C). Toss the acorn squash in a mixing bowl with olive oil, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar.
- Transfer the squash to the air fryer basket. Arrange the pieces in a single layer and cook for 18-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- How to choose an acorn squash. Select a small acorn squash with lighter green skin and a touch of orange, signaling it is ripe and ready to cook—too much orange can mean it is overripe. It should be firm to the touch and free of soft spots and blemishes.
- How to prepare acorn squash. Cut the squash in half from stem to bottom, scoop out the seeds, and slice it or cut it into 1-inch cubes.
- Arrange the squash in a single layer. Depending on the type of air fryer you use, you may need to cook the squash in batches to ensure the hot air circulates freely around the pieces.
- Shake the basket. Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure the squash cooks evenly. My air fryer sends a helpful reminder when it’s time to shake.
Sarah L.
Monday 13th of February 2023
I made this air fryer acorn squash recipe for dinner last night and it was amazing! So easy and quick to make and the result was perfectly crispy and caramelized. I will definitely be making this again.
Tressa Jamil
Thursday 28th of November 2024
Yes, I am so happy to hear that the squash was a win for you.
Tori
Saturday 15th of October 2022
I have always cooked acorn squash in the air fryer whole, but I love how they turned out!
Tressa Jamil
Saturday 15th of October 2022
I love them either way, but the crispy pieces are pretty tasty!