In the midst of what we recognize as the pumpkin season, there's yet another hidden treasure you should check out...Acorn Squash!

That's the recipe I am sharing today with this Air Fryer Acorn Squash.

If you are looking for a simple side dish for thanksgiving or a main dish, air fryer acorn squash fits the bill.

I feel this will soon be your new favorite way to cook acorn squash. You will love it for its flavor and nutrition! Try it once, and you will know!

This roasted acorn squash is air-fried to perfection like my air fryer sweet potato wedges and sweet potato cubes.

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Why this recipe works

The cooking time is greatly reduced with the air fryer, and you get the perfectly roasted acorn squash in minutes. Along with quinoa stuffing and fresh herbs, this can quickly be converted into a full meal.
The air fryer gives the squash a nice crispy exterior while the inside stays nice and soft. This recipe is among the simplest of air fryer recipes.
Air fryer acorn squash is healthy and contains just a few simple ingredients. All you will need are acorn squash, olive oil, salt, and pepper. That's it!
The recipe uses very less oil compared to the conventional way of baking acorn squash.
It's a great option as a delicious side dish as well as the main course (with stuffing)
Roasting the squash in the air fryer brings out its natural sweetness.

Key Ingredients

Acorn squash: This type of winter squash is small and has a deep green color. It has a sweet, nutty flavor that goes well with the other ingredients in this recipe. Going with a small acorn helps to make sure it fits inside your air fryer pan.
Olive oil: This is used to coat the squash before air frying. You can also use avocado oil or another type of cooking oil.
Salt and pepper: These are used to season the air-fried acorn squash. You can add other fresh herbs and spices like garlic powder or dried thyme.

Place the squash cut side on top inside the air fryer basket.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can roast the squash in an oven. Preheat the oven to 425 F and roast for 25 - 30 minutes.
The cook time will vary depending on the type of air fryer. I used a 5 Qt air fryer.
For a sweeter dish, add a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey to the oil before brushing it onto the squash.
Choose small size acorn squash, so they fit in the air fryer.
The skin of acorn squash is edible after air frying. But that is optional.

First, start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, wash the acorn squash and remove any loose dirt sticking to the surface.

It might seem intimidating if you have never cut an acorn squash before.

But not to worry, it's super easy to do. You just need a sharp knife and a chopping board.

When it's cooked, the top should be golden and tested with a fork to see if it's soft.
If the squash is not forked tender, cook for another 2-3 minutes. Serve warm or stuff with your favorite filling.

Serve air fryer acorn squash as a side dish paired with a wet main dish. Like Vegan lentil soup, vegan garbanzo bean soup or vegan broccoli tomato soup.
You can also stuff it with cooked white rice, Instant pot quinoa, or your favorite veggies.
You can use this to prepare acorn soup and/or pasta sauce.