Air Fryer Magic: Acorn Squash, Perfectly Crispy!

Yes, you can cook acorn squash in an air fryer. It's a great way to make a simple side dish or prepare mashed acorn squash to use in other recipes. It's also a healthy option, as acorn squash is low in calories but packed with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fibre.

How to prepare acorn squash for the air fryer

Acorn squash is a tasty, nutritious treat that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare acorn squash in an air fryer:

Step 1: Wash the Acorn Squash

Give the outside of the acorn squash a good wash and dry.

Step 2: Cut the Acorn Squash in Half

Using a sharp, heavy kitchen knife, carefully slice the acorn squash in half, lengthwise. You can also cut away the stem first to make this step easier.

Step 3: Scoop Out the Seeds

With a spoon, scoop out the seeds and the stringy bits around them from the centre of the squash. You can discard these or wash and dry the seeds to roast them later.

Step 4: Score the Inside (Optional)

Using your knife, you can score the inside of the squash by making light cuts across the flesh. This step is optional but can help with the next step.

Step 5: Add Butter and Seasonings (Optional)

At this point, you can add some butter and your choice of seasonings to the inside of the squash. You can go sweet with brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and/or honey, or savoury with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, rosemary, cumin, or lime juice.

Step 6: Place in the Air Fryer

Place the squash halves, cut-side up, into the air fryer basket. If your air fryer requires preheating, set it to 325°F for 5 minutes.

Step 7: Air Fry

Air fry the acorn squash at 325°F for 20 minutes.

Step 8: Butter and Season (Optional)

Remove the squash from the air fryer and add more butter, salt, or other seasonings to the inside, if desired.

Step 9: Air Fry Again

Place the squash halves back into the air fryer basket, cut-side up, and increase the temperature to 400°F. Air fry for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cut surface is browned and the inside is tender.

Step 10: Serve

Your acorn squash is now ready to be served! You can drizzle it with maple syrup, honey, or any other sauce or seasoning of your choice. Enjoy!

How to cook acorn squash in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• Acorn squash
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Cayenne pepper
• Maple syrup
• Vegan butter
• Cloves
• Parmesan cheese

Method:

First, wash the acorn squash. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully slice the squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and the stringy parts with a spoon.

Next, add your chosen seasonings to the squash. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or try a combination of cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter. You could also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat. Alternatively, for a savoury twist, toss the squash with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and parmesan cheese.

Now it's time to air fry! Place the squash in the air fryer basket, cut side up. Cook at 325°F for 20 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to between 375°F and 400°F, and air fry for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the squash is golden brown and tender.

Finally, remove the squash from the air fryer and serve. You can eat it straight from the shell, or scrape the flesh out and plate it. Enjoy!

How to store acorn squash

Acorn squash is a member of the winter squash family. It has a hard, inedible skin and firm flesh. It is roughly egg-shaped with thick ridges and a defined point at the bottom.

When storing acorn squash, it is important to consider the temperature and humidity of the storage area. Unlike other types of winter squash, acorn squash does not require curing, a process that involves storing squash at a warm temperature with good air circulation to allow excess water to exit the fruit. Curing helps to improve the taste of the squash and enhance long-term storage by slowing the fruit's respiration rate and reducing the chances of rot. However, curing reduces the storage life and quality of acorn squash.

• Store acorn squash in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated location.
• Ideal storage temperatures for acorn squash are between 50°F and 55°F.
• Avoid storing acorn squash at temperatures below 50°F, as this can cause chill damage.
• Do not store acorn squash near apples, pears, or other ripening fruit, as these fruits release ethylene gas, which shortens the storage life of squash.
• Plan to use acorn squash within two weeks of purchase, as it is difficult to know how long it has been in storage and under what conditions.
• If you grow your own acorn squash, you can expect a longer storage time of up to two to three months.
• Once cut, wrap raw pieces of acorn squash in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to four days.
• Cooked acorn squash can be sealed and refrigerated for up to four days or frozen for up to 10 to 12 months.

By following these storage guidelines, you can ensure that your acorn squash remains fresh and flavorful for as long as possible.

What to serve with acorn squash

Acorn squash is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a main course. It is often roasted, baked, or cooked in an air fryer, and can be stuffed, mashed, or served in its shell. Here are some ideas for what to serve with acorn squash:

Proteins

• Pork tenderloin or pork chops
• Chicken, such as a baked chicken breast or chicken sausage
• Sausage, including Italian sausage or chicken sausage
• Salmon, such as honey-glazed salmon
• Ground beef
• Eggs, such as in a frittata

Salads

• Autumn salad with apple, cranberries, spinach, feta or another cheese of choice, and a maple vinaigrette, with chopped nuts such as pistachios, almonds, or pepitas
• Broccoli, cranberry, and bacon salad with a sweet mayonnaise dressing
• Shaved Brussels sprout salad with cranberries and apples with a sweet dressing

Soups

Lemony carrot cauliflower soup

Other Sides

• Rice, such as wild rice or brown rice
• Quinoa
• Roasted vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, or winter vegetables
• Baked or mashed potatoes
• Stuffing
• Bread, such as a baguette or dinner rolls

Health benefits of acorn squash

Acorn squash is a nutritious food with a range of health benefits. Here are some of the reasons why it's good for you:

Packed with Important Nutrients

Acorn squash is a highly nutritious carb choice, rich in vitamins and minerals that promote health in various ways. The bright orange flesh is packed with vitamin C, provitamin A, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, iron, and manganese, all of which are critical for health.

Good Source of Antioxidants

Acorn squash is loaded with antioxidants, which protect against cellular damage. Diets high in antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of various chronic conditions, such as heart disease and certain cancers. It's particularly rich in plant pigments called carotenoids, which have powerful antioxidant effects.

Promotes Digestive Health

Acorn squash is packed with both soluble and insoluble fiber, which play important roles in digestive health. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stools, while soluble fiber softens them, preventing constipation and supporting regular bowel movements. The fiber in acorn squash also aids the friendly bacteria in the gut, strengthening the immune system and protecting against disease.

May Protect Against Certain Diseases

Adding acorn squash to your diet may improve your health and decrease your risk of developing chronic conditions, especially heart and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and may even increase overall lifespan. Vegetable-rich diets help lower heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Diets rich in vegetables may also protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and may even increase overall lifespan.

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