This air fryer acorn squash will change your mind about the classic acorn squash with butter and brown sugar. Yes, it is that good!
Air fryer acorn squash recipe combines buttery acorn squash with the complex sweetness of balsamic vinegar and honey. Ready in under half an hour, this seasonal side is lovely served warm and sprinkled with feta and chopped pecans.
The warm and indulgent flavors of this air fryer acorn squash recipe are what make it unique. It’s gorgeous served alongside your main course or as the main event for a lighter meal.
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This savory acorn squash recipe is about to bring cozy winter fare to your holiday table with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Acorn squash has a mild taste. It works well with the more robust flavors of balsamic vinegar, feta, pecans, and honey. You’ll love how quick it is to make this easy acorn squash recipe.
In this article, we’ll talk about:
How to make this squash in the air fryer. The easiest way to cut acorn squash slices. Some fun ideas to serve with this recipe. - How to store and reheat this squash recipe.
Ingredients
Find the list of ingredients with measurement at the end of this post in the recipe card along with the instructions for easy print.
- Acorn squash slices. Take your squash and remove the seeds (but don’t throw them away - they toast nicely as a snack) and cut into ¾ inch-thick half-moons. Keep reading for more detail on this.
- Olive oil. I like to use olive oil rather than any other type of oil because of its health benefits and the extra layer of flavor it adds to the dressing.
- Balsamic vinegar. You can substitute this for a red wine vinegar and sugar mixture if you don’t have any.
- Raw honey. The honey glaze is what makes this the best acorn squash recipe! If you don’t want to use honey, you could substitute it for maple syrup.
- Chopped pecans. Try switching these out for your favorite type of nut if you don’t have any - walnuts work particularly well.
- Crumbled feta cheese (optional). Adds a creamy, salty note that finishes the dish off nicely.
How to cook acorn squash in air fryer
- Begin by making the dressing. Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons to serve. Take the rest of the mixture and toss the squash slices in it to coat—season with salt and pepper.
- Place your acorn squash in the air fryer - lay them in the basket in a single layer.
- Air fry to 380°F for seven minutes on each side until the squash is tender. Sprinkle the pecans in for the last minute to toast.
- Remove your squash from the air fryer, and serve with the reserved vinegar and honey mixture.
How to cut acorn squash slices
Start by rinsing your squash to remove any dirt. Then, cut in half lengthwise and remove the seeds (reserving them to toast as a snack, if you like).
Place the squash cut side down on a chopping board, and slice into ¾ inch thick half-moon slices.
How long to cook acorn squash in air fryer
It takes a total of around 14 minutes to cook air fryer acorn squash, 7 minutes on each side. You can tell when it’s cooked as the flesh will be tender, and the skin will be starting to caramelize.
What to serve with acorn squash
This recipe is terrific as a light main course, served alongside a salad or couscous. Make it part of your holiday dinner with this air fryer bone-in turkey breast.
It also makes a delicious side dish. Try it with these air fryer lamb meatballs or this instant pot Mediterranean chicken breast. Like this quick acorn squash recipe, both meals are ready in under thirty minutes.
How to store air fryer roasted acorn squash
Once you have cooked your squash, you can store it for up to four days in the refrigerator. Be sure to keep it in an airtight container for the best results.
How to reheat air fried acorn squash
To reheat your air fryer acorn squash, you can simply put it in the air fryer for 2-5 minutes, being sure to turn it halfway through.
You can also reheat it by putting it in the oven for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. However, the microwave can cause the squash to get a little soggy if you leave it in there for too long, so be careful.
Is butternut squash the same as acorn squash?
Acorn squash is smaller than butternut squash and, as the name suggests, shaped like an acorn. Butternut squash is much larger and has a round end with a long neck.
The skin of acorn squash is not as tough as butternut squash, making it much easier to chop and peel.
Can you eat the skin of acorn squash?
Acorn squash skin is soft and tender, so there’s no need to remove it before cooking. The skin is packed full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, and it tastes great, too!
Leaving the skin on when you cook acorn squash in the air fryer also creates variation in texture. The skin will go slightly crispy, which complements the soft flesh.
Is cooking acorn squash in an air fryer healthy?
Acorn squash is full of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function at its best. In particular, it’s full of Vitamin C, which is essential for immune system function, which is especially beneficial in cold and flu season. It also contains Vitamins A and B, as well as potassium, magnesium, and iron.
Cooking the squash in the air fryer rather than in the oven means less oil is needed, making it a much lighter option.
- Large bowl
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Air fryer This
C osori brand is the one I use.
More air fryer recipes
- Air fryer spaghetti squash
- Roasted butternut squash air fryer recipe
- Air fryer eggplant
- Best air fryer pecan crusted chicken
- Air fryer cauliflower steaks
- Air fryer turkey Bacon
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Air Fryer Acorn Squash Recipe
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Air fryer acorn squash recipe combines buttery acorn squash with the complex sweetness of balsamic vinegar and honey. Ready in under half an hour, this seasonal side is lovely served warm and sprinkled with feta and chopped pecans.
Ingredients
- 1 medium acorn squash, seeds remove and cut into ¾ inch-thick half-moons
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon raw honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and honey, reserve 1-2 Tablespoons. Add squash in the remaining mixture season with salt and pepper; toss to coat.
- Place the acorn squash in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry to 380 degrees Fahrenheits for 7 minutes on each side or until tender, sprinkle the pecans in the last minutes to toast.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve with reserved vinegar and honey mixture.
Notes
- Store it for up to four days in the refrigerator
Reheat in the air fryer: You can simply put it in the basket for 2-5 minutes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 183Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 164mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 3g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
