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    Home » Air Fryer, Instant Pot, & Crock-Pot

    Published: Jan 3, 2022 · Modified: Feb 15, 2023 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Easy Air Fryer Acorn Squash Slices

    Jump to Recipe

    Air fryer acorn squash with curry seasoning is a quick & easy side dish. This healthy recipe is spiced perfectly for a sweet, savory, and nutty flavor combination.  If you have never fried squash in an air fryer, you are in for something amazing when you try this simple recipe. Air-fried acorn squash once sliced into thin slices cooks up fast for a wonderful appetizer, side, or snack.  

    Acorn squash sliced into rings is seasoned for so much flavor with just a few ingredients.  These curried acorn squash slices are then air fried which results in crispy edges and a smooth creamy inside.  These roasted little squash pieces can be eaten with or without the skin. But however you enjoy them, we all agree they are tasty. 

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices PN1

    What I love about this recipe is that is a great appetizer or side dish. Serve them with vegetarian chickpea curry or smoked beef short ribs for a low-carb & keto meal. These slices are dippable like air fryer french fries but healthier! Serve with a dip like ketchup or homemade ranch and enjoy!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients for Air Fried Acorn Squash
    • How to Cut an Acorn Squash 
    • How to Cook Acorn Squash in the Air Fryer
    • How Long to Air Fry Acorn Squash
    • How To Tell When Acorn Squash is Done
    • Variations
    • What to Serve with Acorn Squash
    • Easy Air Fryer Acorn Squash Slices

    Ingredients for Air Fried Acorn Squash

    This simple recipe packs in a lot of flavors with only a few ingredients.  To make acorn squash in the air fryer, you need only 5 ingredients.  Acorn squash is a common fall or winter starchy vegetable in North America. 

    This recipe all calls for curry powder, salt, and garlic. For the final item, a good spray oil such as avocado oil can tolerate high-heat cooking.  This is a low-fat & healthy recipe without much oil.

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices ingredients
    • Acorn Squash
    • Avocado Oil
    • Salt
    • Garlic Powder
    • Curry Powder

    See the recipe card for amounts & instructions.

    How to Cut an Acorn Squash 

    You will need a sharp chef's knife to cut through the hard skin of acorn squash.  To cut acorn squash, slice off each end so that it will stand up flat on the cutting board.   

    Once the ends are off, cut the acorn squash in half across the middle.  Open up the acorn squash to expose the inside.  Next, scoop out the seeds and fibers in the acorn squash. 

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices cut in half with seeds scooped out of one half

    Cutting Acorn Squash Slices

    Once the acorn squash has been scooped clean, you can begin cutting it into slices.   Make each slice about ½" wide and try and keep them uniform in size so they cook evenly. 

    You can leave them all in half-circle slices or cut them a second time to make them into quarter slices. I like them smaller as they seem to line up on the air fryer basket easier.  

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices sliced on a cutting board

    How to Cook Acorn Squash in the Air Fryer

    Once the slices are ready, add them to a medium-sized bowl. Spray them with oil and toss them to coat.  

    Combine the spices together into one spice blend.  Sprinkle the spices over the acorn squash and toss to coat. The curry seasoning is a great sweet and spice combination for the rich nutty acorn squash. 

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices in a bowl being sprayed with avocado oil

    Cooking Acorn Squash in the Air Fryer

    It only takes a few minutes for slices of acorn squash to cook in the air fryer. Slicing the acorn squash into rings is a much faster way to air fryer it than cooking the halves uncut. 

    Line up the slices on the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer.  Make sure the acorn squash has a bit of space around each slice so they get crispy edges and cook evenly.   

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices lined up on tray ready to cook

    How Long to Air Fry Acorn Squash

    Whether you are making sliced acorn squash like this recipe or other small cut pieces, this is the way to air frying them.   This air fryer cook time and temperature work on acorn squash slices, fries, rings, and small wedges.  As long as they are about ½" in thickness, they will cook just fine. 

    For air frying acorn squash slices in the air fryer, set it to 375° and for 12 minutes. There is no need to wait for it to preheat.  The cooking time includes a few minutes to preheat plus the cooking time. You do not need to flip them, just let them air fry and they will be tender and golden yellow-brown when ready. 

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices cooking in the Breville air fryer

    How To Tell When Acorn Squash is Done

    Air-fried acorn squash is done when it is fork-tender.  The pulp of the squash will be soft with a little browning and toasting of the spices.  The skin should be slightly crispy and tender as well.  

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices cooked and ready on the tray in the air fryer

    Using tongs, carefully remove the acorn squash from the air fryer.  They will cool off quickly so enjoy them immediately.  

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices plated in front of the air fryer

    Nutrition Information for Acorn Squash

    The tough outside skin of acorn squash is edible once cooked.  I actually enjoy eating it, especially with this recipe. Acorn squash has about 15 carbs per 1 cup of raw cubes.   

    The acorn squash is a healthy vegetable with a lot of nutrition benefits such as Vitamin C 25%,  Fiber 8%, Vitamin B6 10%, and Magnesium 11%.   When you eat the skin and the pulp, the Vitamin C goes up to 32% of your daily allowance and 12% of your daily fiber. So eat the acorn squash skin and all.  

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices ready to eat

    Variations

    This simple recipe is only 5 ingredients. You can make a few changes to mix things up and still have a great acorn squash recipe. Try these & enjoy something new.

    • Italian - omit the curry powder & use Italian seasoning instead.
    • Mild - omit the curry powder & garlic powder, use just the salt.
    • Spicy - add ¼ teaspoon cayenne to the spice blend.

    What to Serve with Acorn Squash

    Air-fried acorn squash is a healthy side dish that is wonderful for gluten-free, paleo, and vegan diets. Whether you cut acorn squash into wedges, rings, slices, or fries, this recipe is a simple and comforting side dish perfect to serve with just about anything. 

    You could even add this acorn squash to curry or to a soup.  I enjoyed this with a rib roast the first time I made it and it was a hearty filling meal. 

    Here are some great recipe ideas to cook, serve, and eat with acorn squash.  This list includes beef, chicken, vegan, and vegetarian recipes that all go well with acorn squash. 

    Paleo Chicken Thighs
    Juicy chicken thighs browned in a cast iron pan and cooked in a wonderful lemon sauce with Greek ingredients like olives, capers, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts. A bright and flavorful easy one-pan meal that anyone on a paleo, gluten-free, keto, low-carb, or Whole30 diet.
    Check out this recipe
    Paleo Greek Chicken Thighs featured diagonal full pan
    Zucchini, Chickpea, and Potato Curry
    This vegan Indian curry recipe is full of zucchini (courgette), chickpeas (garbanzo beans), and potatoes. This coconut milk curry is medium spiced and has a rich savory flavor that is velvety and satisfying. 
    Check out this recipe
    Zucchini, Chickpea, & Potato Curry featured overhead of bowl with curry and rice plus napkin spoon and parsley sprig recipe card image
    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices plated with slices of roast

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices PIN
    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices PINREDO

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    Air Fryer Curried Acorn Squash Slices with parsley recipe card plated with fork and red napkin

    Easy Air Fryer Acorn Squash Slices

    Angela
    Air fryer acorn squash with curry seasoning is a quick & easy side dish. This healthy recipe is spiced perfectly for a sweet, savory, and nutty flavor combination.  
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Indian
    Servings 4

    Equipment

    • air fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 acorn squash
    • 1 teaspoon curry powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • avocado oil spray

    Instructions
     

    • Using a sharp chef's knife, slice off each end of the acorn squash. It should now stand up flat on the cutting board.   
    • Once the ends are off, cut the acorn squash in half across the middle.  Open up the acorn squash to expose the inside.  Next, scoop out the seeds and fibers in the acorn squash. 
    • Now that the acorn squash has been scooped clean, you can begin cutting it into slices.   Make each slice about ½″ wide and try and keep them uniform in size so they cook evenly.  You can leave them all in half circle slices or cut them a second time to make them into quarter slices. 
    • Once the slices are ready, add them to a medium-sized bowl. Spray them with oil and toss to coat.  
    • Combine the spices together into one spice blend.  Sprinkle the spices over the acorn squash and toss to coat. The curry seasoning is a great sweet and spice combination for the rich nutty acorn squash. 
    • Line up the slices on the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer.  Make sure the acorn squash has a bit of space around each slice so they get crispy edges and cook evenly.   
    • Set the air fryer to 375° and for 12 minutes. There is no need to wait for it to preheat.  The cooking time includes a few minutes to preheat plus the cooking time. You do not need to flip them. Air-fried acorn squash is done when it is fork-tender. 
      Serve immediately.
    • Enjoy.

    Notes

    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 4
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 46
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 0.2g 0%
    Saturated Fat 0g 0%
    Cholesterol 0mg 0%
    Sodium 151mg 7%
    Total Carbohydrate 11.7g 4%
    Dietary Fiber 1.8g 7%
    Total Sugars 0.1g  
    Protein 1g  
    Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
    Calcium 38mg 3%
    Iron 1mg 5%
    Potassium 384mg 8%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
    Keyword air fry, easy, fall, fried, grain-free, low calorie, low-sugar, paleo, quick, squash, vegan, vegetable, vegetarian, whole30, winter

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat, drink, & explore all things food. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that hopes you find something new & tasty to love while you are here.

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