Is acorn squash healthy?

Yes! As mentioned above acorn squash is incredibly good for you. It's low in calories but high in fiber plus it's packed with vitamins and nutrients. Squash is considered a grain-free complex carbohydrate.

Do I need to peel the acorn squash?

No, you can just cook the acorn squash with the skin on and once it's cooked the flesh will easily scoop out of the skin. This is much easier than trying to peel it beforehand.

Can I make this recipe in a regular oven?

Yes, absolutely! Just bake the squash halves on a baking sheet at 425F for about 45-50 minutes. You may need to add more or less time based on the size of the squash.

Can I use brown sugar instead of maple syrup?

Yes, you can use whatever type of sweetener you like the best.

Roasted Air Fryer Acorn Squash with Maple Syrup

Ingredients

Scale

1 acorn squash
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons maple syrup

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Instructions

Wash and pat dry a small to medium sized acorn squash.
Place the squash on a cutting board and cut it lengthwise in half.
Use a spoon to remove and discard the seeds and strands from the inside of the squash.
Then, rub the outside and inside of the squash with the oil to help prevent burning.
Place the two halves of the squash inside your air fryer basket, cut side up.
Cook the squash at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the inside of the squash is fork tender.
Use tongs to remove the cooked squash from the air fryer basket.
Use a spoon to scoop out the cooked squash to a serving bowl. Add the sea salt, cinnamon, and maple syrup, and stir to combine.
Serve hot.

Notes

Some people prefer to serve cooked acorn squash in the shell. If you prefer to serve it that way, then follow the directions up to step 7. Then, drizzle each half of the squash with the salt, cinnamon, and maple syrup, and serve with the shell.
Store any cooked acorn squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.

Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Side dish
Method: Air fryer
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 73
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 294.4 mg
Fat: 2.4 g
Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
Carbohydrates: 13.7 g
Fiber: 1.8 g
Protein: 0.9 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg