Air Fryer Acorn Squash cooks rapidly and has a smooth, silky interior that is ideal for mash-making, making it into a delightful side dish or even using it as a soup bowl.
Acorn squash and other edible species of squash are widely available throughout the fall. Since they are also very good to eat, it would be a waste to just throw them out. Many people purchase them solely for decoration from October through the holidays.
Try this simple air fryer recipe to roast the acorn squash you used for Halloween decorations instead of throwing it away. The result will be a delicious, and soft squash that can be eaten as a side dish or utilized in a variety of other ways.
What is Acorn Squash?
The Cucurbita genus includes the variety of winter squash known as the acorn squash. Its exterior is green and rough, with deep ridges and furrows.
Acorn squash comes in a wide range of variations, such as spaghetti, pumpkin, banana, sweet dumpling, and golden nuggets. Acorn squash can be used as a stuffing for pies and other baked items as well as in savory recipes.
Winter squashes such as acorn squash grow throughout the fall. They are full of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Acorn squashes resemble pumpkin or sweet potatoes in texture and have a nutty flavor.
Acorn squash can be used to make savory foods including risotto, soups, stews, casseroles, and curries.
Is Acorn Squash Healthy?
Acorn squash is low in calories but high in nutrients, according to this Healthline article.
Vitamin C and antioxidants abound in acorn squash. Due to its high fiber content, it supports digestive health.
Additionally, by reducing the risk of high blood pressure and battling elevated levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol), it may aid in preventing heart disease.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Acorn Squash
You’ll need to gather the following items for this recipe:
| Ingredients | Details |
| Acorn Squash | Find one that is around the size of a softball or slightly larger so it isn’t too big. Bonus points if it rolls readily while laying on its side. Although we have used larger squash, it will ultimately be too much for two meals, thus smaller squash is preferable. |
| Olive oil | By doing this, the squash won’t dry out. Olive oil can be used to brush it or oil spray can be used to mist it. |
| Salt and pepper | All you need to season the squash with is salt and pepper. The flavor won’t be overwhelming. However, feel free to season the dish with more ingredients. I like to add seasoning salt or some rosemary that has been dried. |
How to Make Acorn Squash in Air Fryer?
Acorn squash is incredibly easy to prepare in the air fryer. This recipe can be used with any tiny squash that is roughly the size of a softball, or a little bigger or smaller.
- You might need to tweak the cooking time slightly to achieve the desired level of doneness since the size of your squash may differ from mine.
- To get rid of any surface dirt, thoroughly wash the acorn squash. Then split the squash in two, either horizontally or lengthwise.
- Simply cut it into whatever you believe will allow it to rest flat in the air fryer without tipping over because it won’t alter the outcome.
- Scoop out the seeds and pulp with a spoon. I always save the seeds and toast them. It doesn’t squander anything and is a fantastic, healthy snack.
- After cleaning out the interior. Cooking spray or a thin layer of olive oil should be brushed across the squash before adding salt and pepper.
- Squash should be placed in the air fryer face down and cooked for 15 minutes at 375°F (190 C). After that, flip the squash over and cook it for a further five minutes.
- You should now pierce the squash flesh with a fork or knife to determine when it is fully cooked.
- The top ought to be slightly crunchy and caramelized. It should have a soft inside. As it pierces, the fork shouldn’t encounter any resistance.
- Set yours on for an additional 5 minutes if it isn’t finished to this extent.
The majority of squash sizes cook about 20 minutes, but it can take a bit longer if yours was larger or had tougher skin.
How to Use an Acorn Squash?
If you’re intending to make meals like mashed squash or squash soup, cooking an entire acorn squash in this manner makes it simple.
Simply remove the cooked squash meat from the skin and mash it up or add it to your soup pot. The squash can also have its skin peeled off and cut into slices or cubes to serve as a side dish.
With a little pepper and olive oil, it tastes great. Another way we like to eat it is stuffed with Thanksgiving leftover turkey and stuffing. It’s the ideal way to use up leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner.
Can I Eat the Skin of Acorn Squash?
You might be wondering whether the acorn squash’s skin can be eaten.
Is it the skin where all the nutrients are kept, as it is with so many other starchy vegetables? You can eat the skin of acorn squash. However, it is not as nutrient-dense as you may anticipate.
Another issue is that the squash’s skin is fairly rough, making it unappealing to eat. It’s just simpler to remove it before eating if you roast it in the air fryer.
Tips to make Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Keep checking the squash in the last few minutes of cooking, please. Depending on the size of the squash, the cooking time will change. Watch out, as your squash might cook more quickly.
You can substitute the spices I used if you like a different flavoring. Personalize this dish to suit you.
This recipe can also be used to prepare mashed acorn squash for use in other dishes.
What to Serve with Acorn Squash
Acorn squash, whether sweet or savory, is an excellent side dish with a winter/holiday touch.
- Turkey breast is one example of a meat meal that pairs well.
- If you want to serve it with potatoes, try red potatoes, fingerling potatoes, or even a good baked potato.
- If you want another vegetable that isn’t potato-based, try turnip fries or something with earthy characteristics.
How do You Carve an Acorn Squash?
To produce acorn squash halves, find a “groove” in the squash and cut through it, making sure to align the blade with both the stem and the squash’s bottom point.
This ensures that you have two equal halves. Continue carefully around the squash until the sides are separated. You can cook it this way or further cube the inside flesh.
Conclusion
- The zucchini family includes acorn squash, which has an acorn form. It is a delectable side dish for practically any meal thanks to its gentle and buttery flavor. It can serve as a delicious supper on its own or a sweet snack.
- Acorn squash has several health advantages. This is a healthy side dish for your preferred meals because it is packed with minerals and antioxidants.
- Acorn squash is technically a fruit, but it is also utilized in much the same way as other high-carb vegetables like potatoes, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes because it is a starchy vegetable.
- Even though this recipe for acorn squash in an air fryer is fairly healthful, you should think about the garnishes. It can quickly transition from being nutritious to being unhealthy if there is excess added sugar and other toppings!
- If there are any leftovers, you may keep them in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. Return the squash to the air fryer and reheat for 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees.