This air fryer acorn squash recipe is roasted to perfection with buttery ghee, candy maple syrup, and nutty, crunchy hazelnuts. It’s the proper vegetarian, paleo and gluten-free facet dish for a vacation celebration or a weeknight dinner!
Air Fryer Acorn Squash Recipe
It’s no secret I really like my air fryer. I really like its versatility — I exploit it for the whole lot from breakfast potatoes to zucchini to mini burger bites, just about on daily basis of the week. It’s severely the perfect kitchen equipment! I even put collectively a free air fryer chart to for fast referencing!
My air fryer has turn out to be so useful on “the massive cooking days”. You realize what days I imply, proper? Events, get togethers, holidays — primarily the entire days you spend a lot time prepping and planning for upfront. The times that oven area is at such a premium you half surprise should you ought to lease the AirBnb down the street simply to have a second kitchen to prepare dinner in.
That’s when the air fryer turns into a God-send! And when you’ve got a wholesome facet dish you can also make within the air fryer, even higher. This scrumptious air fryer acorn squash recipe is the proper fall facet dish for any meal you possibly can consider!
The candy taste of this wholesome dish is unbelievable. The primary time I made it, my husband took one chew and mentioned, “Oh man, that is like sweet!” Air-fried acorn squash is actually so easy to make and is a scrumptious technique to incorporate extra veggies into your weight-reduction plan. So should you’re searching for a comfy facet for these winter months, or a technique to save oven area through the holidays, take a look at this fast recipe!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
You’re going to like this tremendous fast recipe:
- Acorn squash within the air fryer solely takes a fraction of the time to prepare dinner than it will within the oven. Plus you get to maintain the oven area for the Thanksgiving turkey. Rating!
- It solely takes 20 minutes to make acorn squash within the air fryer. An excellent addition to meal time on a busy weeknight.
- Make this dish with simply 4 easy substances. You’ll be stunned at how YUMMY the flavour is with so few substances.
Components
So right here’s what you should make this completely candy and savory recipe in your personal house.
- acorn squash: The star of the present! Be sure to decide on the freshest acorn squash you will discover for the perfect outcomes.
- hazelnuts: Chopped hazelnuts deliver out the nutty notes within the acorn squash and add a pleasant crunch.
- maple Syrup: This provides deep, candy taste. Alternatively, you utilize sugar free maple syrup for a decrease carb possibility. A contact of honey can be a superb substitute!
- ghee: Ghee is made by eradicating the milk solids from butter, so it’s Paleo compliant. You’ll be able to substitute an equal quantity of butter if that works for you. I like Tin Star ghee. For added taste, you could possibly use an herby compound ghee.
- salt & black pepper: Make this candy and savory acorn squash with a little bit of salt and pepper. It’s going to deliver out the entire flavors simply completely.
The way to Make Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Earlier than you start prepping the dish, preheat your air fryer 400°F (204°C).
Whereas that preheats, reduce the acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
As soon as the squash are reduce in half, scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Then set the squash halves inside your preheated air fryer, leaving a little bit area between every.
Spoon ghee inside every squash, and rub it gently onto the perimeters and reduce facet of the squash. Pour within the maple syrup and season with salt and pepper. Shut the air fryer and prepare dinner for 14-16 minutes, relying on the dimensions of your air fryer.
Lastly, switch the squash to a plate or platter after which sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts. I wish to toast the hazelnuts first to deliver out their nutty taste, however that’s an elective step you possibly can skip should you’d like.
Oven Directions
You’ll be able to undoubtedly make this recipe utilizing a conventional oven if that works higher for you! Both method will probably be completely fantastic. To prepare dinner within the oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) after which place the squash reduce facet up on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Spoon the ghee into every squash half and use the again of the spoon to rub the ghee onto the perimeters and flesh.
Add the maple syrup and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, relying on the dimensions of your squash, till cooked via and tender. Serve and revel in!
The way to Retailer Leftover Acorn Squash
Enable leftover acorn squash to chill fully. Then wrap individually in plastic wrap or switch to an hermetic container. Retailer within the fridge for as much as 3 days, or within the freezer for 2-3 months. Enable to thaw earlier than reheating.
To reheat, place in a preheated oven or air fryer and warmth till warmed via. It’s possible you’ll want so as to add a contact of extra ghee or maple syrup.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Acorn Squash
This scrumptious, golden acorn squash will pair splendidly with so many various dishes. If you happen to’re making it for a fast dinner, serve with a primary dish like brown sugar pork chops, air fryer rooster drumsticks, or Immediate Pot pork butt.
For the vacations, you possibly can serve this nice facet dish with all your favourite primary programs and sides. From maple mustard pork loin and roast turkey breast, to wholesome candy potato casserole and inexperienced bean casserole, this acorn squash goes nice with the entire classics.
Suggestions for Success
This straightforward facet dish recipe is actually easy, however take a look at these few suggestions and methods to make sure success:
- In case your air fryer baskets are deep and including ghee and maple syrup in a preheated air fryer is a hand burn danger, prep the squash individually earlier than you switch them to the recent air fryer. I favor so as to add the ghee and maple syrup as soon as the squash is about within the air fryer to keep away from the squash tipping and spilling over throughout switch, however danger of a burn is not value it, and my air fryer basket is comparatively shallow.
- Acorn squash are notoriously tough to chop via. To make the method a bit simpler, simply microwave the squash for 1-2 minutes, then permit it to chill. This softens the pores and skin simply sufficient to make it simpler in your knife to chop via easily
- Attempt to buy acorn squash which might be formed usually. In the event that they’re too funky or oddly formed, then they might not sit within the air fryer basket nicely.
FAQ
It isn’t essential to peel acorn squash earlier than air frying it. The truth is, it’s best to maintain the pores and skin on for this recipe in order that the acorn squash are nonetheless sturdy whereas they prepare dinner within the air fryer.
The inexperienced half is simply the pores and skin of acorn squash and sure, it’s edible. Nonetheless, you should not have to eat the pores and skin should you favor. You’ll be able to scoop out the tasty and tender inside the roasted acorn squash and simply eat that!
Extra Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Acorn Squash
This air fryer acorn squash is an excellent dish for the vacations and winter weeknights! It is tremendous easy to make and has probably the most cozy, candy taste. You are going to like it!
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Directions
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Preheat your air fryer to 400F.
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In the meantime, reduce every squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Rigorously add the squash to your air fryer basket.
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Spoon 1/2 Tbsp of ghee inside every squash half, and use the again of the spoon to rub a little bit ghee onto the perimeters and reduce facet of the squash.
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Pour 1/2 Tbsp of maple syrup into every squash half.
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Season frivolously with salt and pepper and shut the air fryer. Cook dinner for 16-18 minutes, till softened and crispy on the perimeters. Take a look at by poking via the flesh with a paring knife. If it slides easily, it is carried out!
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Rigorously take away the squash from the air fryer and sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts and cinnamon, if utilizing. Serve instantly.
Notes
Oven Adaptation: Preheat your oven to 400F. Lay the squash halves on a parchment lined baking sheet. Spoon the ghee into every squash half and use the again of the spoon to rub the ghee onto the perimeters and flesh. Add the maple syrup and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, relying on the dimensions of your squash, till cooked via and tender.
Vitamin
Energy: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 9g | Saturated Fats: 5g | Ldl cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 787mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 791IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 2mg
