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Home Recipes Method Air Fryer
5 /5
GF Gluten Free DF Dairy Free V Vegetarian 30 30 Minutes or Less 5 5 Ingredients or Less

Air Fryer Acorn Squash (Two Ways!)

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By: Danielle2 Comments Posted: 10/17/2019 Updated: 08/23/2024

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This Air Fryer Acorn Squash is incredibly simple and quicker than using the oven! Perfect for Fall weeknight dinners, use your air fryer for delicious fork tender acorn squash – with sweet or savory seasoning options!

acorn squash cooked in an air fryer on a plate with chicken and rice.

Air fryers are pure magic and worth every square volume of space they take up on your counter or in your kitchen storage. They do things that other appliances simply can not do (or that take multiple cups to do!). For example: Chimichangas, Apple Chips, and Taquitos. Point made.

Recipe Overview

Total Time: 25 minutes
Difficulty:ย Easy
Method:ย Air Fryer
Prep:ย 5 Ingredients or Less

Acorn Squash in an Air Fryer

Traditionally, I’ve always roasted my acorn squash in the oven. And I liked it like that. Butter = required. Also some sugar and some cinnamon. But pretty good and one of my favorite squashes.

Fast forward. It’s 2019, Fall. I feel like an air fryer pro. Squash is in season. Acorn squash comes in my produce box. Let’s do this.

From test one, I knew I’d keep making acorn squash like this forever. It’s a keeper, people.

Here’s why air fryer acorn squash is better than oven roasted acorn squash (in my opinion):

  • Quicker than the oven – 20 minutes of cook time vs. 25-40 + preheat time!
  • Also leaves room in the oven for other things to cook if that’s ever a problem.
  • Fork tender, but not mushy. Slightly crispy edges but soft on the inside!

How do you make air fryer acorn squash?

Start by washing and drying your acorn squash. Cut the top stem portion and the bottom pointy portion off of the acorn squash. Cut the acorn squash by placing the largest flat side on your cutting surface and slicing in half from top to bottom. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon or melon baller.

removing seeds from an acorn squash with a spoon.

To cut the acorn squash into quarter moons, place one half of the squash cut side down on the cutting surface. Cut side to side into approximately 1 inch thick slices. Next, cut each half moon in half in the middle, and you have quarter moon acorn squash pieces!

Put acorn squash quarter moon pieces into a medium sized bowl with oil and sweet or savory seasonings (your choice!). Mix with tongs until all the squash is coated and then place the squash into the air fryer basket.

Air fry the squash pieces at about 375F for 16-20 minutes, flipping and rotating the squash pieces halfway through. They’re done when they’re fork tender and just starting to get browned edges.

Tip from Danielle

The skin of an acorn squash is very easy to peel from the flesh after it has been cooked. I just peel each piece as I eat it!

acorn squash quarter moons with oil and seasonings
acorn squash in the air fryer ready to be cooked
air fryer acorn squash in the air fryer basket

Can you eat acorn squash skin?

Yes, you can eat the skin if you want. It’s a preference thing, and I prefer not to eat the skin. You can peel the skin off easily after cooking if you don’t want to eat it.

What foods go with air fryer acorn squash?

I would suggest serving the Air Fryer Acorn Squash with a classic main dish such as a roast chicken and another vegetable side or grain such as wild rice.

This savory version of this Air Fryer Acorn Squash is also technically Whole30 compliant, and could be served alongside some of these Whole30 dinner recipes that I love.

Serve this with…

Feta Basil Turkey Burgers

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Salmon

Simple Whole Roast Chicken (Whole30 & Paleo)

More main dish recipes
acorn squash with sweet seasonings ready to go in the air fryer
air fryer acorn squash with honey and sweet seasonings
sweet air fryer acorn squash on a fork

What kind of air fryer do you use?

For all my air fryer recipes, I use the Philips 2.75 qt Viva Air Fryer (affiliate link!), and I love it! (This is an older model but I still love mine!) Frozen things that are normally baked or fried come out crispier than Iโ€™ve ever tasted. For this recipe, I love the time saved by not having to preheat the oven! 

Update 11/5/2020: I have upgraded to a Cosori XL 5.8 qt Air Fryer (affiliate link!) – it’s a larger air fryer and can air fry more food at one time. What’s not to love? Plus I can set the temperature digitally!

black cosori air fryer.

New favorite air fryer!

I upgraded to this larger Cosori air fryer and I love it! The nonstick basket is the best!

See it on Amazon!

Which is better: Sweet or Savory Air Fryer Acorn Squash?

I can’t lie to you, sweet acorn squash is my favorite. I used to drown it in butter and brown sugar, but now my air fryer version simply uses a touch of honey along with cinnamon and nutmeg. SO GOOD.

Savory is also wonderful, seasoned with just garlic, onion and oregano. This version does have less calories and is going to be Whole30 compliant, if that’s important to you.

How to store cooked acorn squash:

Store leftover cooked squash in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How to freeze cooked acorn squash:

To freeze leftover cooked acorn squash, arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze overnight, then move to an airtight freezer safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.

How to reheat cooked acorn squash:

To reheat from the fridge, air fry at 350F for 5-6 minutes.

How to Make Air Fryer Acorn Squash Sweet & Savory Versions Video! (2 minutes):

 

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Recipe
air fryer acorn squash on a plate with rice and chicken
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review

Air Fryer Acorn Squash (Two Ways!)

Yield: 2 large servings 1x
Print Save Rate it
Prep: 5 minutesCook: 20 minutesTotal: 25 minutes

This Air Fryer Acorn Squash is incredibly simple and quicker than using the oven! Perfect for Fall weeknight dinners, use your air fryer for delicious fork tender acorn squash – with sweet or savory seasoning options!

Scale:

Ingredients

Savory:

  • 1 acorn squash, top stem, seeds and bottom removed, cut into quarter moons
  • avocado spray oil, about 1 tablespoon
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Sweet:

  • 1 acorn squash, top stem, seeds and bottom removed, cut into quarter moons
  • avocado spray oil, about 1 tablespoon
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prep: In a medium mixing bowl, add acorn squash pieces and spray with roughly 1 tablespoon of spray oil, or until most of the squash is coated in a light layer of oil. Add sweet OR savory seasoning ingredients. Use tongs to mix until all the squash pieces are evenly coated in oil and spices.
  2. Air fry: Add the acorn squash pieces to the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 375F and air fry the acorn squash pieces for 15-20 minutes, flipping and rotating the squash halfway through cooking. Squash is done with the pieces are fork tender and the edges are just starting to brown.
  3. Serve: Serve as a side with dinner! Recipe suggestions above. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Equipment

black cosori air fryer.

Cosori XL 5.8 qt Air Fryer

Buy Now โ†’
oxo 9 inch tongs with silicone ends.

OXO 9-Inch Silicone Head Tongs

Buy Now โ†’

(affiliate link!)

Notes

Nutrition information estimated with My Fitness Pal with savory seasonings.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1/2 squash
  • Calories: 137
  • Fat: 7g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 2g
© Author: Danielle
Cuisine: American Method: Air Fryer
air fryer acorn squash on a plate with rice and chicken

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About Danielle

Hi, Iโ€™m Danielle! I'm a PNW gal on a mission to help you reduce food waste, and save both time and money with meal planning and make-ahead recipe ideas! I've got weekly meal plan templates and recipes waiting for you!

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  1. tara says

    Posted on 12/4/21 at 1:33 pm

    the sweet acorn squash is amazing. family favorite and very easy! this will be my 3rd time making it and never realized it hadn’t been rated yet!

    Reply
    • Danielle says

      Posted on 12/6/21 at 9:01 am

      Hi Tara – Thank you so much for this review and rating! I appreciate it so much, especially being the first one! I’m so happy your family loves this squash! -Danielle

      Reply

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