Air Fryer Delicata Squash
If you’re looking for a delicious fall side dish, air fryer delicata squash should be at the top of your list! This seasonal vegetable is simple to prepare, has a naturally sweet flavor, and pairs beautifully with warm spices. Delicata squash is perfect for the air fryer, resulting in a crispy, caramelized texture!
Erica’s Notes
Hot take: delicata squash is THE most underrated variety of squash. Why you ask? Well 1) because it is absolutely delicious and 2) BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PEEL IT. Delicata squash gets its name from its ‘delicate skin’ which softens beautifully as it cooks, making it fully edible. It is also a good source of fiber, vitamin C and carotenoids making it perfect for my tagline… nutritious AND delicious.
We’ve been getting delicata squash every week in our CSA box (aka a box of organic produce from a local farmer) which is so fabulous because it is one of my favorite winter squashes. Number one favorite in fact.
I am not exaggerating. I can and have eaten an entire delicata squash when prepared in the air fryer like this. It gets nice and caramelized, a little crispy and the dried thyme, garlic and just a little brown sugar compliment it’s naturally sweet flavor.
It is so versatile. You can make it as an easy side dish to serve with a roasted protein, throw it on top of salads or grain bowls, pair with a dipping sauce like roasted garlic aioli or honey ginger dressing or eat it straight up. I love air fryer recipes, especially side dishes, because I find it hard to fit a whole meal for my family in the air fryer. I love that I can pop the delicata squash in the air fryer while I whip up a salad or make the protein on or in the oven.
Moral of the story: this is a delicious side dish that you can modify based on your personal preferences and serve with just about anything, enjoy!
What You’ll Need to Make Air Fryer Delicata Squash
Delicata squash: Delicata squash is a sweet squash with an edible peel. It has a relatively short season from late summer through early winter and you can find it at most grocery stores. Look in the produce section for an oblong squash with green stripes and orange stripes and pick one that doesn’t have any soft spots.
Olive oil: just a couple of teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil is all you need to help the squash cook evenly and get that golden-brown finish. You could also use avocado oil.
Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, dried thyme, garlic powder, brown sugar, and a hint of cinnamon come together to create a sweet-savory profile that is super yummy. You can find all of these in the spice aisle at your local grocery store.
How to Make Delicata Squash in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Prep the squash: Cut off the ends of the squash and then slice it in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to remove the seeds. Slice the squash into ½-inch thick half-moon pieces, using a sharp knife and cutting board.
Toss with oil and seasonings: In a large bowl, combine the squash slices, olive oil, and seasonings. Toss well to coat.
Air fry: Arrange the squash pieces in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer, ensuring no pieces overlap. Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
Serve and enjoy! Serve the air-fried delicata squash on its own, with a dipping sauce, or as a topping for salads or grain bowls.
Expert Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Delicata Squash
- Cut evenly: For even cooking, slice the delicata squash into uniform ½-inch pieces.
- Avoid overcrowding: Place squash pieces in a single layer to ensure even air circulation and crispy results.
- Shake it up: Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps achieve a golden-brown finish on all sides.
Variation Ideas
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix for a hint of heat.
- Swap the brown sugar for a drizzle of maple syrup for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Make squash rings by hollowing out the whole squash instead of slicing lengthwise into squash halves.
- You can use acorn squash sliced into thick rings or cubed butternut squash or sweet potato instead of delicata squash. The seasoning mix works beautifully on any of these, but you may need to adjust the cooking time based on which squash you use.
- After the squash is cooked, add toppings like parmesan cheese, pumpkin seeds or fresh herbs. Chopped rosemary or thyme leaves are both delicious.
FAQs
Yes! The thin skin of delicata squash becomes tender when cooked, making it completely edible and delicious.
Try this roasted garlic aioli, honey mustard dressing, honey ginger vinaigrette or fig balsamic dressing.
Store any leftover delicata squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes for best results.
Serve with a protein like pork tenderloin, grilled chicken or roast salmon, on top of grain bowls, in this arugula salad or this kale salad.
Yes! See recipe notes for how to make this on a sheet pan in a regular oven.
I have the Cuisinart basket air fryer and I really love it!
More easy and healthy side dish ideas:
Sweet potato cubes with harissa aioli
Hot honey air fryer Brussels sprouts
BRB, gotta go eat a whole squash. ✌🏼
If you try and like this recipe please don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating down below! If you love more lifestyle, behind the scenes and ‘eating in real life’ type of content come find me over on Instagram, @itsaflavorfullife, I love connecting with you all there!
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Air Fryer Delicata Squash
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Golden brown, crispy and the perfect balance of sweet and savory, you will love this easy air fryer delicata squash!
Ingredients
- 1 medium delicata squash, seeds scraped out and cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon each salt, pepper, dried thyme, garlic powder and brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Slice delicata squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out the ‘guts’ and seeds. Use a sharp chef’s knife to slice squash into ½-inch half-moon-shaped pieces. Toss the delicata squash with olive oil and seasonings.
- Place delicata squash pieces in the air fryer basket in an even layer with no pieces overlapping. Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket at the halfway mark.
- Serve with a dipping sauce, on a salad or grain bowl, with protein of choice or straight up! Delicata squash fo’ evahhh.🤘🏼
Notes
Oven instructions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Slice and season delicata squash per the recipe. Place in an even layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 23-25 minutes, flipping the squash pieces halfway through cook time.
Refer to above blog post for ingredient information, variation ideas and answers to frequently asked questions.
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Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1 cup cooked squash pieces
- Calories: 109
- Sugar: 9.2 g
- Sodium: 290.8 mg
- Fat: 2.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 26.8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Tastes great! Have been making them in the oven, but am going to try it in the air fryer.