Air Fryer Acorn Squash is the perfect fall side dish or meal! It's hearty, delicious, and healthy, all while being super simple to cook in the air fryer!
Acorn squash is often overlooked because butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and pumpkin are all maybe more popular. However, air fryer acorn squash is super simple to make and even more delicious than it's competitors! Making Acorn squash has never been easier than with the air fryer! No air fryer? No problem, I will share how to make acorn squash in the oven as well!
Typically Acorn squash can be found in the fall and winter months in the produce department. Acorn squash are also relatively easy to grow, so consider adding them to your summer garden. They are low in calories and high in nutritional value. You can eat the squash plain, stuff it with your favorite filling, or make it a tad bit sweater by using butter and brown sugar!
The Air Fryer is an appliance that is amazing! If you haven’t purchased one yet, you have to! I’ll share my favorites a little further down! Using the air fryer to make healthy recipes is so easy! I’ve shared so many with you, including Air Fryer Butternut Squash, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes, Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, Air Fryer Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts, and Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus among many more!
How to prepare/cut an Acorn Squash?
- First wash the outside of the squash. Then take a heavy sharp chef's knife and slice long ways through the squash.
- The inside will have seeds, much like a pumpkin. Use a spoon and scoop out the seeds and strings around the seeds, discarding.
- Taking the knife, score the inside (see photo above).
- The squash is now ready to be cooked!
I used butter and brown sugar for this particular recipe, but you can also keep it basic and use olive oil and salt and pepper for a more bland flavor profile.
How to make Air Fryer Acorn Squash:
**scroll down for full ingredient list and printable directions**
- In a small bow mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- After preparing the squash according to the directions above, add the fillings to the squash; butter and brown sugar mixture.
- Place the acorn squash into the Air Fryer and set the temperature to 375 degrees and timer to 25 minutes.
- Once the time is up, remove the acorn squash carefully and dig in! You can scrape the flesh out and plate it, or serve the butternut squash in the shell (my favorite way) and eat it out of the shell.
As I mentioned, acorn squash is SUPER HEALTHY for you! Here’s why…..
Is Acorn Squash Healthy?
YES! Acorn Squash is actually classified as a fruit, but they’re considered a starchy vegetable and can be used similarly to other high-carb vegetables, such as potatoes, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes.
- A 1 cup serving of acorn squash with nothing added has 115 calories, 0g fat, 30g carbohydrates, 9g fiber, 2g protein.
- A servings contains 18% the daily recommendation for Vitamin A, 37% vitamin C, 22% magnesium, 26% potassium, and 11% iron.
If you don’t have an Air Fryer, I suggest you buy one, however, here’s how to bake the acorn squash.
How to Bake Acorn Squash:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Follow the directions on how to prep, cut, and coat the squash in oil/spices.
- Add the squash to a baking dish, then place into the oven.
- Set the timer to 50-60 minutes. Depending on the size of the squash you may have to add 5-10 more minutes. When the squash is fork tender and you can remove the flesh with no resistance, it’s done.
What type of Air Fryer should I use for this recipe?
There are many Air Fryers to choose from, but I love my PowerXL Vortex Air fryer! Here are some other great options:
- Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven, 6 Quart: 6-in-1, Broil, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, Non-stick and Dishwasher-Safe Basket, Stainless Steel
- COSORI Air Fryer 5.8QT - Large Hot Electric Oven Oilless Cooker with 8 Quick Setting Recommendation
- GoWISE USA 7 QT Air Fryer -with Dehydrator & 3 Stackable Racks, Led Digital Touchscreen
Looking for ideas on what to serve this Air Fryer Acorn Squash with? How about one of these delicious recipes from Domestic Superhero:
Acorn Squash is the perfect fall side dish or meal! It’s hearty, delicious, and healthy, all while being super simple to cook in the air fryer!
- 1 acorn squash, halved and insides removed
- 2 TBS butter
- 2 TBS brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
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In a small bowl mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together, set aside.
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After preparing the squash by cutting it in half and removing the seeds and flesh, add 1 TBS butter and half of the brown sugar mixture to each half of the squash. Rub the brown sugar all over the flesh of the squash.
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Place the acorn squash into the Air Fryer and set the temperature to 375 degrees and timer to 25 minutes.
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Once the time is up, carefully remove the acorn squash. You can scrape the flesh out and plate it, or serve the butternut squash in the shell (my favorite way) and eat it out of the shell.
Recipe Video
One serving is ½ a half of acorn squash.
**How to Bake Acorn Squash:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Follow the directions on how to prep, cut, and coat the squash in oil/spices.
- Add the squash to a baking dish, then place into the oven.
- Set the timer to 50-60 minutes. Depending on the size of the squash you may have to add 5-10 more minutes. When the squash is fork tender and you can remove the flesh with no resistance, it’s done.
Nutritional info per serving: 116 calories, 6g fat, 17g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 6g sugar, 1g protein. 5WW points.
MaryKay Wood
Yum!! This is my kind of easy for sure! Can’t wait to try it. 💕
Matt Taylor
This is so awesome, flavorful, and super easy to make in the airfryer.
Valentina
I LOVE this easy air fryer acorn squash recipe! 🙂
Stephanie
This was fantastic! I loved the brown sugar on top. Definitely going to be making it again.
Amanda
Perfect use of my air fryer, I cannot wait to try it!
Lynn
I love this recipe for acorn squash. I love using the air fryer because it really shortened the cooking time. I highly recommend this recipe.
Allyson
Thank you for sharing, Lynn! We love this recipe too and with Acorn squash in season, it's the perfect timing for it!
katerina @ diethood.com
This is fantastic!! I bet it tastes amazing!
Kevin
It always amazes me what you can do in an air fryer! Loved this one so much!
Cathy
This is definitely happening here SOON!!!
Sara Welch
Such a delicious recipe and perfect for fall! Looking forward to enjoying this all season long!
Catalina
It's so great that I can make acorn squash in the Air Fryer! A must try!
Sandra McCollum
I love how easy this is! It tastes really good!
Debbie
This is my first time fixing an acorn squash and will not be my last. So good with the cinnamon and brown sugar.
Allyson
I am so happy you liked it!
Wanda Brethorst
Delicious prepared this way!!
Allyson
It is very tasty!
Gloria
Absolutely delicious...and soooo very easy!!!
Randi
I'm confused. The recipe says to remove the seeds AND the flesh. Don't I leave the flesh in there?
Allyson
Maybe that's the wrong term...remove the seeds and the stringy parts around the seeds!
Nancy Walker
I know I am not supposed to "crowd" items in the air fryer - so am I only able to cook 1/2 squash at a time? There is no way that both halves will sit beside each other in my air fryer...
Allyson
It depends on the size of your air fryer. If you can't fit both, then you would have to do half at a time. It would be okay in this case if the squash is touching next to each other, because you arent trying to crisp a coating or something like that. If you can't fit them though, then yes, do one at a time.