Air-Fried Pumpkin: Perfect Timing For Delicious Results

Roasting pumpkin in an air fryer is a quick and healthy way to enjoy this autumnal treat. With a cooking time of around 20 minutes, it's far more efficient than oven roasting, which can take an hour.

To roast a whole pumpkin, simply wash it and scrub away any dirt. You can cut the stem off before cooking or leave it on. The skin will be easy to remove after cooking. For a pumpkin that's too big to fit in your air fryer, cut it in half and remove the seeds and fibres before air frying.

If you're roasting pumpkin chunks, toss them in a large bowl with your choice of oil and seasonings. You can use olive oil, avocado oil or coconut oil, and season with salt, pepper, cinnamon, paprika, garlic powder, or nutmeg. Place the pumpkin in the air fryer in a single layer and cook at around 400°F for 10-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

How to prepare a pumpkin for roasting

Preparing a pumpkin for roasting is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.

Firstly, wash the pumpkin to remove any dirt from the outside and dry it with a kitchen towel.

Next, place the pumpkin on a cutting board and cut it in half. You can do this lengthwise or vertically, whichever is easier for you. Be sure to use a sharp, steady knife as the pumpkin's skin can be quite thick and difficult to pierce.

Once cut, use a spoon to remove the seeds and fibres from the inside of the pumpkin. You can choose to save the seeds to roast as a snack later.

At this point, you can either cut the pumpkin into 1-inch thick slices or wedges, or peel the skin off and cut it into cubes. If you want to roast the pumpkin with the skin on, you can skip the peeling step.

If you are not ready to roast the pumpkin right away, you can store the cut pumpkin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer until you need it.

And that's it! Your pumpkin is now ready to be roasted!

How long to roast pumpkin in an air fryer

Roasting pumpkin in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook this versatile vegetable, which is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The cooking time will depend on how you cut your pumpkin, the variety of pumpkin, and the temperature of your air fryer.

Preparation

Before roasting, you should wash the outside of the pumpkin to remove any dirt and dry it with a kitchen towel. You can choose to peel the pumpkin or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. Leaving the skin on will give you caramelized edges.

Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds and fibers with a spoon. You can cut the pumpkin into wedges, cubes, or fries. If you are cutting the pumpkin into wedges, make sure they are not too thin as they will burn easily.

Cooking Times

For whole pumpkins, air fry for approximately 12 minutes per pound. A two-pound pumpkin will take around 24 minutes to cook. You can test if the pumpkin is done by inserting a knife into the flesh. If the knife slides through easily, the pumpkin is ready.

For pumpkin cubes, cook for around 18-20 minutes at 380°F (190°C). Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

For pumpkin wedges, cook for 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Again, shake the basket halfway through.

Seasoning

You can season your pumpkin with a variety of spices, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, cinnamon, paprika, or vegetable spice. You can also use olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil for extra flavor and to help with browning.

Tips

• Cut the pumpkin into evenly sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• You can store cut pumpkin in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
• Don't forget to roast the seeds! They make a delicious snack.

How to roast pumpkin in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 small pumpkin (approximately 23 oz) or 2 lb pie pumpkin
• 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Spices of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, cinnamon, paprika, nutmeg, Italian seasoning, vegetable spice, or a simple veggie blend)
• Optional: Greek yogurt or hummus for serving

Method

• Wash the outside of the pumpkin to remove any dirt and dry it with a kitchen towel.
• Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds and fibres with a spoon. You can roast the seeds in the air fryer as a snack!
• Cut the pumpkin into 1-2 inch wedges or cubes.
• Place the pumpkin pieces in a large bowl and add oil, salt, pepper, and any desired spices. Toss well until the pumpkin is evenly coated.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 375F and 400F (190C to 200C).
• Place the pumpkin in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the pieces are not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry for 18-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The pumpkin is done when it is tender and caramelized.
• Remove the roasted pumpkin from the air fryer and serve hot.

Tips

• You can adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your pumpkin pieces. Smaller pieces may cook faster, while larger pieces may take longer.
• If you are roasting a whole pumpkin, cook for approximately 12 minutes per pound.
• You can also add sweet or savoury seasonings to your pumpkin before roasting. Try brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey for a sweet treat, or cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or thyme for a savoury dish.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• You can store leftover roasted pumpkin in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How to store leftover roasted pumpkin

Roasted pumpkin is a delicious and nutritious treat, perfect for fall. But what do you do when you have leftovers? Here are some tips to ensure your leftover roasted pumpkin stays fresh and tasty:

Storing in the Fridge

Leftover roasted pumpkin can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. This ensures that your pumpkin remains fresh and safe to consume.

Freezing for Long-Term Storage

If you have a large amount of leftover pumpkin or won't be using it within a few days, freezing is a great option. Cut the pumpkin into cubes and place them in freezer-safe bags, ensuring they are laid flat for easy stacking. You can also freeze pumpkin puree in ice cube trays for easy portioning. Frozen pumpkin can last for up to 6 months and can be defrosted overnight in the fridge or by placing the frozen bag in a bowl of warm water.

Reheating Tips

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover roasted pumpkin, simply pop it in the microwave for under a minute or until warmed through. If you're using frozen pumpkin, be sure to let it thaw and reach room temperature before reheating.

Recipe Ideas for Leftover Roasted Pumpkin

There are endless possibilities for using up your leftover roasted pumpkin. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Pumpkin puree: Simply blend your roasted pumpkin to create a puree that can be used in various recipes, such as pumpkin soup, muffins, or pancakes.
• Soups and stews: Add your roasted pumpkin to a soup or stew for a creamy and nutritious boost. Try a pumpkin and lentil soup or a bacon and pumpkin pasta dish.
• Baked goods: Use your roasted pumpkin in cakes, bread, or muffins. Try a classic pumpkin pie or a spiced pumpkin and ginger loaf.
• Savory dishes: Pumpkin can be added to rice or curry dishes, or served as a side dish with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.

With these tips, you can enjoy your roasted pumpkin for longer and reduce food waste. Happy cooking!

What to serve roasted pumpkin with

Roasted pumpkin is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or incorporated into a variety of recipes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with roasted pumpkin:

As a Side Dish

Roasted pumpkin can be served as a side dish, similar to roasted potatoes. It pairs well with a variety of main courses, such as:

• Parmesan-crusted chicken
• Chicken leg quarters
• Greek slow-roasted leg of lamb
• Baked parmesan crusted salmon with lemon cream sauce
• Marinated roast beef
• Pork roast with crispy crackling
• Slow cooker beef brisket with BBQ sauce

In Recipes

Roasted pumpkin can be used in a variety of recipes, either as a star ingredient or as a complementary flavour. Here are some ideas:

• Purées and soups: Pumpkin purée can be used in recipes like pumpkin mac 'n' cheese, cranberry pumpkin steel-cut oats, pumpkin cream cheese muffins, pumpkin pasta, sweet pumpkin bread, chewy pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie, pumpkin sugar cookies, and pumpkin pie parfaits.
• Baked goods: Pumpkin is a classic ingredient in baked goods like pumpkin cream cheese muffins, pumpkin pasta, sweet pumpkin bread, chewy pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie, pumpkin sugar cookies, and pumpkin pie parfaits.
• Salads: Roasted pumpkin can be added to salads, such as a pumpkin salad with feta and walnuts or a pumpkin and lentil salad.
• Dips and sauces: Roasted pumpkin can be blended to make a dip or sauce, like a lemon yogurt sauce or a garlic herb yogurt dipping sauce.
• Other recipes: Roasted pumpkin is versatile and can be used in a variety of other recipes, such as pumpkin curry, pumpkin fritters, pumpkin risotto, or pumpkin cornbread with sugared walnut topping.

Frequently asked questions