5 from 5 reviews

This simple acorn squash side dish is so easy to make thanks to the convenience of an air fryer! Simply cut the squash, brush with oil and air-fry it until it is golden and tender. A simple honey glaze with cinnamon finishes the dish and adds tasty sweet and spicy seasoning.

air fryer acorn squash on a white plate garnished with a cinnamon honey glaze

Table of contents

Why We Love This Recipe For Air Fryer Acorn Squash

If you’re like me and you love the cooler weather and holiday season but really consider yourself a summer person, you have a lot in common with the acorn squash. You see, it’s actually considered a winter squash although it technically belongs to the same species (curcubita pepo) as summer squashes. Like Walt Whitman and Bob Dylan, acorn squash contains multitudes, okay? 

This air fryer acorn squash in particular can be customized to your seasoning preferences, but I fell in love with this honey and cinnamon glaze! The flavors of this squash are sweet with a little spiciness, and you can even sprinkle some pumpkin pie spice on top to bring in more of that seasonal flavor. 

Don’t even bother with peeling off the skin, just rub some olive oil, salt, and pepper on top of your squash and throw it in the air fryer. This recipe is the ultimate convenience and makes for a phenomenal side dish!

Key Ingredients For This Acorn Squash Recipe

acorn squash, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, cinnamon, salt and pepper

Acorn Squash

You’ll need one acorn squash for this recipe and you’ll get four servings out of it. You’ll have to remove the seeds and pulp before air frying. If you can’t find acorn squash, you can always use buttercup squash for this recipe.

Honey

This recipe is simple but has loads of flavor. I like to use a really good honey for the element of sweetness. Orange blossom honey is my all-time favorite, but locally-produced honey is always a great option too. If your raw honey has gotten granular, simply warm it up in the microwave to make it melted and liquid again, or you can place the jar into a bowl of warm water.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Not only does apple cider vinegar add a flavor component to the squash, the acid also helps break down and soften the vegetable.

Additional Ingredients

You’ll also need coarse kosher salt, pepper, extra-virgin olive oil, and a pinch of cinnamon.

Step By Step Instructions To Make This Recipe

cutting the acorn squash into quarters and brushing it with olive oil

Step 1: Prepare the Acorn Squash

Carefully remove the stem from your acorn squash with the tip of a sharp knife. Then, cut the squash in half lengthwise – through the stem and blossom end. Scoop out the seeds and the pulp, and then cut each side into two pieces. This will result in four total wedges.

Step 2: Season and Oil

Brush your olive oil all over the squash wedges and sprinkle them with salt and pepper to taste. 

air frying acorn squash and combining seasonings in a small bowl

Step 3: Preheat Air Fryer and Cook

If your air fryer requires preheating, do so now, and set your air fryer to 425 degrees. When it comes to temperature, add the squash wedges to the fry basket and let them cook. Shake them, or turn with tongs, once or twice until the quash is fork tender. This should take about 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 4: Combine Seasonings

Stir the honey, vinegar, cinnamon and a pinch of salt in a small dish.

brushing air fried acorn squash with honey

Step 5: Brush Honey Mixture Over Squash

Remove the fry basket from the air fryer and use your tongs to turn the acorn squash so that it’s flesh side up. Brush the honey mixture over the squash and then return it to the air fryer for 90 seconds. Serve hot and enjoy!

acorn squash made in the air fryer, glazed with honey, and sprinkled with cinnamon

FAQs and Expert Tips

Is the skin of acorn squash edible?

Yes, acorn squash skin is thin, edible, and quite tender when cooked in an air fryer. If you do not care for the texture of the squash skin, eat the squash wedges with a spoon. 

Can this acorn squash be made in the oven?

Yes, use a convection bake at 425 degrees and bake the squash until fork tender and browned, about 40 minutes. Finish by brushing the honey mixture over your squash wedges and bake again for 4 to 5 minutes.

How do I properly cut an acorn squash?

Start by carefully removing the stem with a sharp knife. Use a towel to grip one side of the acorn squash as you cut it down the middle from the stem to the bottom. Then, turn the acorn squash so the cut side is down and slice each piece down the middle so you have four wedges total.

Can this recipe be frozen?

You can freeze your acorn squash after it’s roasted if it’s stored in an air-tight container. Once it is thawed, reheat it until it is piping hot for the best texture.

Can air fryer acorn squash be made ahead?

You can make the acorn squash ahead and reheat it in the microwave for 45 seconds on high per wedge of squash. To reheat in the oven, place it in a square oven-proof baking dish, cover it with foil and bake at 350 degrees until steaming hot, about 22 minutes.

Variations To Try

  • Omit the honey syrup altogether for a more basic version of the recipe.
  • Use melted butter instead of oil.
  • Sweeten the squash with brown sugar or maple syrup in the honey mixture.
  • Add fresh thyme to the honey mixture.
  • Use Pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon for a seasonal twist.
  • Omit the honey glaze and instead season with garlic, parsley, and parmesan for a savory version of the recipe.

Additional Squash Recipes To Try

air fryer acorn squash on a plate

At Healthy Seasonal Recipes, we specialize in cooking with fresh veggies and creating weeknight meals. Sign up HERE to get more produce-forward dinner ideas for FREE! If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought! Happy Cooking! ~Katie

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
air fryer acorn squash seasoned with honey and cinnamon

Air Fryer Acorn Squash

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Katie Webster
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Yield: 4 Servings; 1/4 squash each 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This simple acorn squash side dish is so easy to make thanks to the convenience of an air fryer! Simply cut the squash, brush with oil and air-fry it until it is golden and tender. A simple honey glaze with cinnamon finishes the dish and adds tasty sweet and spicy seasoning.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 acorn squash
  • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt plus a pinch, divided
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Carefully remove stem from acorn squash with the tip of a sharp knife. Cut squash in half lengthwise through the stem and blossom end. Scoop out seeds and pulp. Cut each side into two pieces (for four total wedges.)
  2. Brush olive oil all over the squash wedges and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. 
  3. If your air fryer requires preheating do so now. Set to 425 degrees Air Fry. When it comes to temperature, add the squash wedges to the fry basket and let cook, shaking (or turning with tongs) once or twice until the squash is fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
  4. Stir honey, vinegar and cinnamon and a pinch of salt in a small dish. 
  5. Remove the fry basket from the air fryer and using tongs turn the acorn squash so that it is flesh side up. Brush the honey mixture over the squash. Return to the air fryer and air fry 90 seconds. Serve hot.

Notes

Ingredient Note: 

You can use buttercup squash interchangeably instead of acorn squash. 

Variations:

  • Omit the honey syrup altogether for a more basic version of the recipe
  • Use melted butter instead of oil
  • Sweeten with brown sugar or maple syrup
  • Add fresh thyme to the honey mixture
  • Use Pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon
  • Omit honey glaze and season with garlic, parsley and parmesan

Make Ahead:

Can be reheated in the microwave for 45 seconds on high per wedge of squash. To reheat in the oven, place in a square oven-proof baking dish, cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees until steaming hot, about 22 minutes.

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Active Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Category: Side Dishes
  • Method: Air Fryer
  • Cuisine: Vegetables

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 servings
  • Calories: 109
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 2 g

Did you make this recipe?

Make sure you come back to the recipe post to leave a star rating and review.