Crispy Air Fryer Acorn Squash Slices with Parmesan & Thyme: Your New Favorite Side Dish

Transform a humble winter squash into a culinary delight with this incredibly easy and flavorful **Air Fryer Acorn Squash** recipe. These perfectly seasoned slices are roasted to a tender crisp in your air fryer and then finished with a delightful sprinkle of fresh thyme and savory parmesan cheese. The natural sweetness of the acorn squash, enhanced by a carefully crafted seasoning blend, makes for an irresistible side dish or a satisfying, healthy snack. If you’re looking for a quick, nutritious, and undeniably delicious way to enjoy seasonal produce, you’ve found your next go-to recipe.

Why This Air Fryer Acorn Squash Recipe is a Must-Try

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This recipe for air fried acorn squash is a true game-changer, especially if you’re looking to effortlessly incorporate more wholesome vegetables into your diet. It stands out for several compelling reasons:

• Effortless Preparation: Forget complicated cooking methods. With the air fryer, preparing acorn squash is as simple as slicing, seasoning, and air frying. Minimal hands-on time means more time to enjoy your meal.
• Perfect Texture Every Time: The air fryer excels at creating a beautiful balance of tender interior and a slightly crispy, caramelized exterior. This enhances the squash’s natural sweetness and gives it an appealing bite that traditional roasting often struggles to achieve in such a short time.
• Flavorful and Versatile: A quick toss in a robust blend of seasonings, coupled with fresh thyme and salty parmesan, elevates acorn squash from a simple vegetable to a truly gourmet experience. Its sweet and nutty notes are perfectly complemented by the savory toppings, making it suitable for a variety of meals or as a standalone snack.
• Nutrient-Rich Goodness: Acorn squash is not just delicious; it’s also packed with health benefits. It’s an excellent source of dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, along with other essential antioxidants. This makes it a fantastic addition to any balanced diet, supporting everything from digestive health to immune function.
• Seasonal Appeal: Acorn squash is a quintessential winter squash, readily available during the colder months. This recipe provides a wonderful way to utilize your garden harvest or enjoy fresh, seasonal produce.

If you’ve previously enjoyed the subtle sweetness of butternut squash, you’ll find acorn squash to be a delightful cousin, offering a slightly milder yet equally satisfying flavor profile. Its tender flesh and sweet, slightly nutty taste make it incredibly versatile, whether you mash it, blend it into soups, or enjoy it in these delightful air-fried slices.

Simple Ingredients for a Flavorful Dish

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This recipe uses a handful of readily available ingredients to bring out the best in acorn squash. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

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• Acorn Squash: We recommend a 1 1/2 pound acorn squash for this recipe, which typically yields two generous servings. When selecting an acorn squash, look for one that is firm, heavy for its size, and has dull, dark green skin. Avoid squash with soft spots or significant blemishes. The skin on acorn squash is indeed edible and becomes slightly crispy in the air fryer, adding a delightful texture. However, if you prefer, you can peel the squash before or after cooking; it’s often easier to peel once it’s tender.
• Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil helps the seasonings adhere to the squash and contributes to its golden, crispy texture. Avocado oil or another high-smoke-point oil can be used as a substitute if preferred.
• All-Purpose Seasoning: Our recipe card includes a custom all-purpose seasoning blend that perfectly complements the squash. This blend typically includes garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, dried parsley, and Kosher salt, creating a savory and slightly spicy profile. Feel free to use your favorite pre-bottled seasoning blend or experiment with other herbs and spices like rosemary, sage, or a pinch of cayenne for a kick.
• Fresh Thyme Leaves: Fresh thyme adds an aromatic, earthy note that pairs beautifully with the sweet squash. If fresh thyme isn’t available, you can use about 1 teaspoon of dried thyme instead, adding it with the other dry seasonings.
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese: This adds a salty, umami depth that perfectly balances the sweetness of the squash. Freshly grated parmesan will melt better and offer superior flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties. For a dairy-free option, nutritional yeast can offer a similar savory, cheesy flavor.

How to Make Air Fryer Acorn Squash: Step-by-Step Guide

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These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. For the complete printable version with measurements and detailed instructions, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Prepare the Squash: Begin by removing the stem from the acorn squash. If the stem comes off easily, simply pop it off. If it’s stubborn, carefully slice off that end of the squash. This makes it easier to cut the squash in half safely.

   
   

2. Halve and Seed: Carefully cut the squash in half lengthwise. Use a sturdy spoon to scoop out all the seeds and fibrous pulp from both halves. Discard the seeds or save them for roasting later.

   
   
   

3. Slice the Squash: Trim off both ends of each squash half for stability. Then, cut the remaining squash into even 3/4-inch thick slices. Aim for consistent thickness to ensure even cooking in the air fryer. The crescent moon shapes are ideal for air frying as they have more surface area for crisping.

   
   
   
   

4. Oil the Squash: Generously brush both sides of the acorn squash slices with olive oil. Ensure each piece is well coated, as the oil helps the seasoning adhere and promotes browning and crisping in the air fryer.

   
   

5. Season Generously: Sprinkle both sides of the oiled squash slices with your all-purpose seasoning blend. Rub it in gently to ensure an even coating. The amount listed in the recipe (3 Tablespoons for the blend) is for the entire blend, but you’ll only use about half of that for this one squash. Save the rest for future recipes!

   
   

6. Load the Air Fryer: Arrange the seasoned squash slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s crucial not to overcrowd the basket, as this can steam the squash instead of crisping it. You will likely need to cook the squash in two batches for one average-sized acorn squash.

   
   

7. Add Thyme: Evenly sprinkle the fresh thyme leaves over the squash in the air fryer basket.

   
   

8. Top with Parmesan: Distribute the shredded parmesan cheese over each piece of squash. The cheese will melt and become wonderfully golden and slightly crispy during cooking.

   
   

9. Air Fry to Perfection: Air fry the squash at 380°F (195°C) for 10 minutes. No need to preheat your air fryer for this recipe! After 10 minutes, the squash should be tender and lightly golden with melted, slightly crispy parmesan. Carefully remove the cooked squash to a wire rack and repeat the process for any remaining batches.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

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Delightful Serving Suggestions

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Air fryer acorn squash is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic accompaniment to a wide range of main courses. Its sweet and savory profile means it can complement rich meats, lighter poultry, or even vegetarian dishes. Here are some ideas to inspire your next meal:

• With Roast Meats: Serve alongside a hearty pot roast, air fryer pork tenderloin, or roasted chicken. The crispiness of the squash provides a beautiful contrast to tender meats.
• Poultry Pairings: It’s excellent with stuffed chicken breast, turkey cutlets, or even a simple grilled chicken. The thyme and parmesan notes enhance many poultry dishes.
• Holiday Spreads: This dish is simple enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving or Christmas. It offers a fresh alternative to heavier traditional sides.
• Vegetarian Main: Bulk it up with a sprinkle of toasted nuts (like pecans or walnuts) and crumbled feta or goat cheese for a light vegetarian main course salad over a bed of greens.
• Healthy Snack: Enjoy these slices on their own as a healthy, satisfying snack between meals. They’re much more interesting than plain vegetables!
• Breakfast/Brunch: Serve alongside eggs and a sprinkle of hot sauce for a unique and nutritious breakfast side.

Since this recipe is cooked in the air fryer, it frees up valuable oven and stovetop space, making it perfect for busy meal prep or when you’re preparing a multi-course dinner.

More Air Fryer Favorites

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Love your air fryer as much as we do? Here are some other fantastic air fryer recipes to try:

• Air Fryer Avocado Fries
• Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
• Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
• Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes

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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.