Air Fryer Acorn Squash (Stuffed)

What is Acorn Squash?

Acorn is a type of winter squash. It gets its name because it looks just like a large acorn. Acorn squash has a mild, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor. Which makes it a ideal for stuffing.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• Air fryer acorn squash takes about half the time as oven roasted acorn squash.
• This delicious stuffed acorn squash recipe is a perfect simple side dish or the main dish.
• All of the ingredients are nutritional super stars, and together, they are a super healthy combination. Acorn squash is high in Vitamin A, beta carotene, folate, and magnesium, as well as low in calories.
• This vegan recipe is naturally gluten free.
• Delicious air fryer acorn squash is protein packed! Quinoa is a complete protein, and walnuts add another hit of protein.

Ingredient Notes

It may seem like this recipe has a lot of ingredients, but it’s really simple to make.

• Onion, Celery and Apples Any type of apple works for this squash stuffing.
• Olive Oil Olive oil is for sautéing the vegetables and also added to the quinoa stuffing.

• Acorn Squash These winter squash are available from early fall throughout the winter months at farmer’s markets and you can usually find them year round at the grocery store. Look for a squash that feels heavy for its size, and a dull dark green, or dark green and orange skin.
• Quinoa Quinoa comes in white, red and black and they are all similar as far as nutritional values, cook time required and flavor. I like red quinoa for its vibrant color. And if you don’t want to choose, try tricolor quinoa.
• Cranberries You can use dried cranberries, fresh cranberries, or frozen (and defrosted) cranberries.
• Walnuts Toasted walnuts bring a delicious crunch and nutty flavor to this stuffing. Substitute pecans or any other nut that you prefer.

• Lemon We’ll be using the juice of one large lemon to add brightness.
• Garlic Use fresh garlic, or pre minced garlic.
• Sage and Thyme Fresh herbs are perfect, but you can also use dried if that’s what you have.
• Salt & Pepper

How To Make Stuffed Acorn Squash

Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each end of the acorn squash half to allow them to stand upright. Cut the acorn squashes in half horizontally. Air fry them cut side down for 15 minutes

2. Sauté onion, celery, sage, thyme, and garlic until softened.
3. Add apples to the pan and cook for another minute.
4. Add walnuts and cook until they are toasted.
5. Stir in quinoa, cranberries, lemon juice and olive oil.

6. Fill squash halves with the stuffing mixture and air fry 5 more minutes.

Helpful Tips

• Acorn squash has a hard, thick skin which can make it difficult to cut .To make it easier, put the squash in the microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes until the skin has softened slightly. You’ll be able to easily cut through the acorn squash. (Use a sharp knife).
• Remove a thin slice from the bottom of each squash half to make it level enough for the squash half to stand upright. (You’ll need to remove the stem).
• You can roast the squash seeds and use them just like pumpkin seeds. Just rinse them using a colander, dry on paper towels, and toss with a little bit of olive oil and your favorite seasonings. Put the seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry 10-15 minutes at 350°, shaking the basket frequently.
• If you want to add some sweetness to this recipe, brush a little maple syrup on the cut sides and hollow of the squash halves before air frying them.
• The quinoa stuffing can be made ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until it’s time to make air fryer acorn squash. Allow the stuffing to come to room temperature while the squash is air frying.
• The stuffing will fill 4 acorn squash halves. I used fairly small squash, so I had leftover stuffing. If you have bigger squash, you may not have any stuffing leftover.
• If you do have leftover stuffing, store it in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The stuffing makes a great side dish on it’s own, or you can use it to make stuffed peppers or zucchini.
• Reheat the stuffing covered, in the microwave.
• Acorn squash is perfect for this recipe, but you can easily substitute any type of edible squash. Delicata squash, butternut squash, kabocha squash, or even cute little sweet dumpling squash (which resembles a small pumpkin). All of them work with this flavorful stuffing and require similar cook times as acorn squash.

Common Questions

More Delicious Squash

Winter squash is delicious, versatile and nutritious. Besides this Air fryer stuffed acorn squash, you might want to try some of these squash recipes.