Easy Air Fryer Acorn Squash Slices

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. 

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.

• 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.  It will be difficult to cut these without a good quality one. If your is dull or not strong enough to cut through melon rinds or squash, it may be time to spend a little and buy a new chef's knife for under $100.

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.   

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. 

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.  

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

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.  

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. 

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