Air Fryer Acorn Squash is the perfect fall dish! Fried squash is roasted in the air fryer to give you a crispy exterior and a creamy interior. It’s gluten-free and vegan, so it’s great for those with dietary restrictions!

acorn squash on plate
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Acorn Squash Air Fryer Recipe

I’m a huge fan of fried squash. I always have been, and I doubt that will change anytime soon.

And so the search began… I wanted to cook acorn squash in the air fryer, and let me just say…it’s awesome! Acorn squash is one of those veggies you can roast in the air fryer with salt, pepper, and olive oil until it turns out delicious every time!

Squash in the air fryer tastes great when mixed with brown rice and quinoa; perfect for those looking for healthy alternatives to meat dishes!

This is a great dish to serve up at Thanksgiving or the holidays! Plus, you can save oven space when holiday cooking. Great excuse to buy a bigger turkey!

If you have been looking for some great ways to roast up vegetables in the Air Fryer, some of my favorite Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes are AIR FRYER KETO BACON-WRAPPED AVOCADO BURGER BOMBS, AIR FRYER BUTTERNUT SQUASH. AIR FRYER CHICKEN, BROCCOLI, AND BELL PEPPER, and AIR FRYER CHILE RELLENO.

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Acorn Squash

  • Flavorful
  • Easy fall recipe
  • Sweet and savory
  • 35 minutes start to finish
  • Kid approved

What Is Acorn Squash?

Acorn squash is a type of winter squash that belongs to the Cucurbita genus. It has a green, bumpy exterior with deep ridges and furrows. There are many varieties of acorn squash including spaghetti, pumpkin, banana, sweet dumpling, and golden nugget. Acorn squash can be used in both savory dishes or as a stuffing for pies and other baked goods. 

Acorn squash is a type of winter squash that grows in the fall. They are high in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Acorn squashes have a nutty flavor with a texture similar to pumpkin or sweet potato. You can use acorn squash for savory dishes like soups, stews, casseroles, curries, and even risotto!

How To Cut Acorn Squash

If you have never cut acorn squash before, it can be a bit intimidating, but it’s easy to cut and cook the squash in the air fryer! Follow these steps:

  • Start by washing the acorn squash, they dry it off.
  • Using a sharp knife, cut the acorn squash in the center. 
  • Slice through the acorn squash to the stem, then pull the two halves apart.
  • Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and membrane, then discard.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Acorn Squash

fresh acorn squash
  • Acorn Squash 
  • Butter
  • Brown Sugar
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Salt

How To Make Air Fryer Acorn Squash

sliced air fryer squash

Step 1: Prep squash

Cut the squash in half. Use a spoon and scoop out the seeds.

Step 2: Coat acorn squash

In a small bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt.  Then use a pastry brush to brush over the acorn squash.

Step 3: Air fry acorn squash

Set the acorn squash in the air fryer with the cut side facing up. Set the temperature to 375 degrees F (air fryer setting) for 20 to 25 minutes. 

ready to serve air fried squash

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Acorn Squash Healthy?

Acorn squash is a deliciously sweet and nutty fall vegetable. It’s also packed with beta-carotene, Vitamins C and A, potassium, folate, and fiber. Acorn squash can be eaten raw or cooked in various ways, from roasting to stuffing to baking.

  • 1 cup of acorn squash has only 115 calories, no traces of fat (0), 30 carbohydrates, 9 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein! So healthy!
  • 18% of the recommended daily recommendation for vitamin A, 37% for vitamin C, 22% magnesium, 26% potassium, and 11% iron.

Even though this acorn squash air fryer recipe is pretty healthy, you need to consider the toppings. Too much added sugar and other toppings can take it from healthy to unhealthy pretty quickly!

How to Bake Acorn Squash:

To bake the acorn squash in an oven, follow the directions in the recipe, but put the acorn squash on a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, then bake for 50 to 65 minutes until the squash is fork-tender.

What type of air fryer should I use for this fried squash?

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken, vegetables, and other foods without using oil. With so many different models on the market, it can be hard to know which one is best for you and your cooking needs.

Here are a few of my favorites; remember this recipe will work in any Air Fryer Basket or Oven model and will also work in the Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Crisp Lid, Melathy Lid, and other specialty models.

Instant Pot Vortex: Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Basket Air Fryer with Digital Touchscreen, Customizable Smart Cooking Programs, 4 Quart Capacity, and a Stainless Finish. I love this one for recipes like my air fryer acorn squash! Easy to clean and works like a charm.

COSORI: COSORI Air Fryer Max XL(100 Recipes) Digital Hot Oven Cooker, One Touch Screen with 13 Cooking Functions, Preheat and Shake Reminder, 5.8 QT, Black. This air fryer has a little bit of everything and will work perfectly for this acorn squash air fryer recipe.

You really can’t go wrong by choosing any of these air fryers!

MORE AIR FRYER VEGETABLE RECIPES:

acorn squash on plate

Air Fryer Acorn Squash

4.20 from 5 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 2 servings

Description

Air Fryer Acorn Squash is the perfect fall dish! Fried squash is roasted in the air fryer to give you a crispy exterior and a creamy interior. It's gluten-free and vegan, so it's great for those with dietary restrictions!

Ingredients 

  • 1 acorn squash
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Cut the squash in half. Use a spoon and scoop out the seeds.
  • Then, mix the butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.  Then use a pastry brush to brush over the acorn squash.
  • Set the acorn squash into the air fryer, and set the temperature to 375 degrees F (air fryer setting) for 20 to 25 minutes. 
  • Remove when fork-tender.
  • Plate, serve, and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 391mgPotassium: 771mgFiber: 4gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1144IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 2mg

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Air Fryer Acorn Squash