Tiffany Haney
Pumpkin is a versatile ingredient that can be used in anything from lattes to pies, soups, and pasta. It is a staple of fall, and one delicious way to enjoy pumpkins is by making air fryer roasted pumpkin wedges. This brings out the natural sweetness of the pumpkin while giving it a crispy and charred exterior. Cooking time depends on the size of the pumpkin and the air fryer, but it typically takes 10-20 minutes for pumpkin slices or wedges, and 12 minutes per pound for a whole pumpkin.
Cooking Pumpkin in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Pumpkin | Culinary, Sugar, Pie |
| Pumpkin Size | 2-3 pounds |
| Pumpkin Style | Wedges, Slices, Cubes |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 375-380°F (190°C) |
| Air Fryer Time | 10-20 minutes |
| Oven Temperature | 425°F |
| Oven Time | 25-30 minutes |
| Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Cinnamon, Parsley, Pumpkin Seeds |
| Calories | 28-64 kcal |
| Other Tips | Shake the air fryer basket halfway through |
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What You'll Learn
Pumpkin size and air fryer capacity
Pumpkins can be cooked in any brand of basket-style or oven-style air fryer. However, the size of your pumpkin will determine whether it fits in your air fryer. The typical pie pumpkin is 2-3 pounds, and this size fits in most air fryers. If your pumpkin is too large, you can cut it in half and remove the stem before air-frying.
If you are cooking a whole pumpkin, it will cook for about 12 minutes per pound. You should adjust the cooking time based on the size of your pumpkin. For example, if your pumpkin is cut into pieces, you will need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes per pound. If your pumpkin isn't fully cooked after 12 minutes per pound, you can cook it in 3-minute increments until a knife can easily pierce the flesh.
The size of your air fryer may also impact the cooking time. For example, if you are cooking pumpkin slices in batches, the number of batches will depend on the size of your air fryer.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for pumpkins in an air fryer depend on the type of pumpkin, the size of the pumpkin, and the style of cooking.
For whole pumpkins, it is recommended to cook them for about 12 minutes per pound. This means that a typical pie pumpkin, weighing 2-3 pounds, will take about 24-36 minutes to cook. If the pumpkin is not fully cooked after the recommended time, continue cooking in 3-minute increments until a knife can easily pierce the flesh.
When cooking pumpkin wedges or slices, the cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the pieces. For 1- to 2-inch wedges or slices, cook for 10-12 minutes at 375°F (190°C), flipping halfway through for even cooking. For thinner slices, be careful as they can burn more easily. For thicker slices, you may need to increase the cooking time accordingly.
If cooking in batches, as is often necessary due to the size of the air fryer basket, cook the pumpkin for 15 to 20 minutes at 380°F (190°C), shaking the basket at the 10-minute mark to ensure even roasting.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the model and settings of your air fryer, so adjust the time and temperature as needed.
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Preparing the pumpkin
Now, you can cut the pumpkin into your desired shape. You can cut it into wedges, slices, cubes, or fries. For even cooking, it is important to ensure that the pieces are of uniform size and not too thin, as they may burn easily in the air fryer. Place the pumpkin on a stable cutting board and cut off the top and bottom to create flat surfaces. Then, stand the pumpkin upright on one of the flat ends and slice it in half. Using a large spoon, scoop out the seeds, which you can save to roast later.
If you are making wedges, cut each half into wedges of uniform thickness, about 1 to 2 inches wide. For slices, cut the pumpkin into thin, long slices, but not too thin to avoid burning. If you prefer cubes, simply cube the pumpkin, ensuring the pieces are of similar sizes. Once your pumpkin is cut, you can season it with a variety of spices and herbs, or leave it plain.
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Seasoning and flavour
You can enhance the flavour of your pumpkin by seasoning it before cooking. One option is to use a simple mix of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. You can also add some olive oil or avocado oil to this mix to make a marinade, which will help the spices stick to the pumpkin. Another option is to use a salt-free seasoning blend, such as Mrs. Dash. If you're after a savoury dish, you can top your cooked pumpkin with fried sage leaves, fresh cilantro or coriander, or even some grated parmesan cheese.
If you're looking for a sweeter dish, you can add brown sugar or maple syrup to your pumpkin before cooking. You can also garnish your roasted pumpkin with cinnamon honey butter, lemon tahini sauce or garlic herb yoghurt dipping sauce.
For a more substantial dish, you can turn your roasted pumpkin into a puree by simply blending it, or make a pumpkin soup. You can also use your roasted pumpkin in baked goods, such as pumpkin cream cheese muffins, sweet pumpkin bread, or chewy pumpkin cookies.
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Storing and reheating
Firstly, you can store your pumpkin in the fridge. If you've made a puree, you can store it in mason jars in the fridge for up to seven days. If you've cooked the pumpkin in slices or wedges, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
You can also store your cooked pumpkin in the freezer. If you've made a puree, divide it into half-cup or one-cup increments and put it into freezer-safe bags. Lay them flat to stack in the freezer. You can store your pumpkin in the freezer for up to six months. If you've cooked the pumpkin in slices or wedges, you can also freeze them in individual bags.
To reheat your pumpkin, defrost it overnight in the fridge if it's frozen. For a quick thaw, place the frozen bag in a bowl of warm water. You can then reheat your pumpkin in the air fryer for around 10 minutes, or until it's heated through. You can also reheat your pumpkin in the oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F and place the pumpkin on a baking tray. Cook until the pumpkin is heated through.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 12 minutes per pound to cook a whole pumpkin in an air fryer. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the pumpkin pieces. For example, it takes 10-12 minutes to cook pumpkin wedges or slices, and 15-20 minutes to cook pumpkin cubes.
The pumpkin is done when it is tender and caramelized. You can use a fork to check the flesh. If the fork can easily pierce the flesh, the pumpkin is done.
You should use a culinary pumpkin or a sweet sugar pumpkin (also known as a pie pumpkin) for cooking. Avoid using field pumpkins or pumpkins meant for decoration, as they tend to be too large and have watery, stringy flesh.
First, wash the pumpkin and cut off the top and bottom to create flat surfaces. Then, cut it in half and scoop out the seeds. You can leave the peel on if it is thin and tender. Finally, cut the pumpkin into wedges, slices, or cubes, aiming for uniform thickness.
Preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 425°F (or 190°C).
