Air Fryer Acorn Squash with butter and brown sugar topping is a delicious side dish to make for dinner.
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Air Fried Acorn Squash
Acorn squash is often overlooked because pumpkin, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash are more popular. However, air fryer acorn squash is possibly even more delicious than its competitors!
This air-fried acorn squash recipe makes a simple but delicious side dish for almost any main course you can think of, but especially for your Thanksgiving meal. It’s perfect for a fall dinner – hearty, tasty, and healthy.
Cooking acorn squash in an air fryer is simple. It always amazes me what you can cook in an air fryer!
The secret to getting crispy, caramelized acorn squash is to use your trusty air fryer! This recipe is so good because you get a cut squash that is browned and slightly crispy on the outside but soft and tender on the inside.
This recipe makes a wonderful fork-tender but not mushy acorn squash with a sweet topping.
It’s also quicker than roasting squash in the oven and leaves room in the oven for other things to cook. Oven roasted acorn squash can take an hour! That’s twice as long as using an air fryer.
Recipe Ingredients
This air fryer acorn squash recipe calls for just a few ingredients. You probably have all but the squash in your kitchen:
- Acorn squash
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Butter
- Brown sugar
How to Select the Best Acorn Squash
Acorn squash is relatively small (in comparison to butternut or spaghetti squash) and round. They’re usually green on the outside with possible hints of orange.
When selecting your acorn squash, look for firm, basically green skin (streaks of orange are fine). Acorn squash with mostly orange skin is overripe and will tend to be dry and stringy.
How to Prepare and Cut Acorn Squash
- Give the outside of the squash a wash.
- Using a heavy sharp chef’s knife, cut your squash in half (acorn squash is pretty hard!).
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and strings of flesh around them. A melon baller also works well.
- With the knife, score the inside of each half.
- Now you are ready for cooking whole acorn squash in air fryer.
CopyKat Tip: Save acorn squash seeds to roast and use as a snack or as a topping for soups and salads.
How to Air Fry Acorn Squash
Roasting whole acorn squash in an air fryer is the best way to cook this delicious squash. Cooking it first with the cut side down really helps with liquid accumulation. Here are the recipe steps:
- Wash acorn squash, and cut it in half.
- Scoop out the seeds and brush extra virgin olive oil on the flesh and sprinkle with salt.
- Place acorn squash cut side down in the air fryer.
- Air fry at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
- Flip over the acorn squash so the cut side is facing up.
- Place butter and brown sugar on each squash.
- Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve as it is or scoop out the flesh and plate it.
Can You Eat the Skin of an Acorn Squash?
Yes, you can eat the skin if you like. It’s a preference thing. Once your squash is cooked, you can peel the skin off if you don’t want to eat it.
Leaving the skin on makes a perfect natural bowl for the tender flesh of the squash. Also, the dark green color looks really sharp against the bright orange-yellow flesh.
Do You Need to Peel Acorn Squash?
You do not need to peel an acorn squash. The skin of acorn squash is very easy to separate from the flesh of the squash after it has been cooked.
If you do not want to eat acorn squash skin, simply use a spoon to scrape the flesh from the skin after it is cooked.
How to Season Air-Fried Acorn Squash
This air fryer acorn squash recipe uses butter and brown sugar for a perfect sweet complement to the squash. However, you can make this recipe your own by varying the seasonings – sweet or savory. Here are a few ideas:
- Add some cinnamon and/or nutmeg to the brown sugar.
- Try a touch of honey or maple syrup instead of sugar.
- If you prefer a more savory seasoning, go with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Top your cooked squash with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of browned butter.
- Put a slice of apple (with or without some chopped pecans) in your squash for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
How to Store Acorn Squash
Keep your acorn squash in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use it. It will last longer when stored around 50 to 55 degrees compared to being stored in your refrigerator.
How Long Will Roasted Squash Last?
Roasted acorn squash will last in your refrigerator for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container.
You can also freeze the cooked acorn squash. It will be good for up to three months in the freezer.
How to Reheat Cooked Squash
To reheat, put your acorn squash halves into the oven for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees. You can also microwave them for 2 to 3 minutes.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Apple Chips
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Baked Potato
- Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Salmon Almondine
- Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings
Favorite Fall Recipes
- Acorn Squash Soup
- Autumn Squash Soup
- Bisquick Apple Cobbler
- Microwave Acorn Squash
- Pumpkin Pancakes
- Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
Check out more of my easy side dish recipes and the best air fryer recipes here on CopyKat!
Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Ingredients
- 2 acorn squash
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Wash the acorn squash and cut it in half. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
- Brush extra virgin olive oil on the flesh of the squash and sprinkle with salt.
- Place the acorn squash cut side down in the air fryer, and cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip the acorn squash so the cut side is facing up.
- Place 1/2 tablespoon butter onto the flesh of each acorn squash and sprinkle each one with 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar.
- Cook for an additional 5 minutes, and serve immediately.
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