Here is my delicious and flavorful air-fryer roasted acorn squash with pesto and pine nuts and a kick of chipotle chili flakes.
It sounds like an interesting combo, right? It is indeed! Check out how I made this roasted acorn squash with detailed step-wise pictures.
Earlier, I shared the classic baked mac and cheese, a great main dish, but serving it along with some seasonal roasted veggies makes it extra special, right? And this roasted acorn squash is what you need – a perfect side loaded with flavors.
Jump to:
I had made this for our Thanksgiving dinner, and everyone enjoyed it. So I thought of posting it just before the holiday season. If you plan for a holiday dinner, try this, and I am sure everyone will love it. Fret now, this is not a complicated dish. It’s very, very simple.
P.S. – I have shared some simple holiday menu below. Please check them out.
How to cut acorn squash?
When it comes to pumpkin, butternut squash, and acorn squash, chopping is quite a task. But with some simple techniques, you can chop like a pro. Mine is not perfect and even, but I did not struggle like how I used to. I followed this YouTube video and as they suggested slicing a small portion of the bottom of the acorn squash made the entire chopping easy. It gives a flat spot/base, and you chop them further without toppling.
I cut my acorn squash into five slices so that it can fit my air-fryer basket. You can cut them into 4 to 5 slices depending upon the vegetable’s size and the air-fryer basket.
Is it safe to eat the skin of acorn squash?
As you can see from the pictures, I did not discard the skin. And yes, the skin of acorn squash is edible, and roasting makes it soft and delicious. Make sure you wash the acorn squash thoroughly and pat it dry before chopping.
Ingredients required for this roasted acorn squash
Apart from acorn squash, all you need is salt, ground pepper to taste, oil, pesto, pine nuts, and chipotle chili flakes.
Now the chipotle chili flakes are optional but infuse nice flavor and a click to this roasted squash. You can use regular chili flakes, spice powders, or skip it and use ground pepper. Again, it’s a recipe that is heavily customizable, and you can create a zillion variations.
Instead of pine nuts, you can use slivered almonds. Every variation would be a recipe on its own. If you try this recipe with a new variation, do share it via comments. It would help other readers, as well.
Which side to roast first?
I had this question when I started testing this recipe. Many recipes called for roasting cut side down first, but I did the other way round. I understood that if you want a roasted effect with the char, try roasting the cut side up first, but if you want a steamed effect, try roasted cut side down first. Either way, you will get a delicious and well-cooked acorn squash because I have tried both. :-)
Roasting acorn squash in the oven
I made this in my air-fryer, but you can use your oven as well. Preheat the oven to 400 deg F. Bake the cut side up for 7 minutes and then bake again with the cut side down for 7 minutes. Now fill in the center with the pesto and pine nuts. Then increase the oven temperature to 425 deg F and bake for 12 minutes. You can also use the broil option and broil for 10 minutes.
A vegetarian holiday brunch/lunch/dinner menu
I know the holiday season this year is different but don’t let this pandemic dampen your holiday spirits. I know we will be missing our extended family and friends, but folks, make a simple yet lavish meal for your family and enjoy the family time together. In the end, the holiday season is all about family time and staying together.
Here is a small list that I have put together for you. I hope this menu helps, and you all can draw some inspiration.
Starter:
You can make a simple tomato soup or cream of celery or zucchini soup or creamy butternut squash soup. If you want a spicy one, then do try the cauliflower soup or my manchow soup.
Mocktail:
Mocktail always jazzes up the holiday table. I love to blend different juices, and I indeed made one for Thanksgiving. I will share it soon, but you can try my tea mocktails or Indian flavored sprite with Jaljeera masala.
Main dish:
It’s hard to say no to pasta and pizza. Do try the baked mac and cheese or pesto pizza or pasta with butternut squash sauce.
If you want to go all healthy, then try my zucchini chili with the bread of your choice or Shepherd’s pie with lentils. Delicious and comforting one for sure!
Veggie sides:
Oh boy, I have many simple veggie sides, and I don’t know what to include and exclude. Here are some of the crowd-favorite ones – roasted Brussels sprouts, this roasted acorn squash, cauliflower steaks, roasted cauliflower with sumac, roasted mushrooms, or roasted potatoes.
Desserts:
My holiday favorites are Christmas loaf and banana bread. This year, I have shared some delicious single-serving desserts like apple crisp and coffee cake. You can check them out as well.
I know I got deviated from today’s recipe. Now without any further ado, let’s see how to make this roasted acorn squash.
How to make roasted acorn squash
Cut the acorn squash:
- Wash the acorn squash thoroughly and pat it dry. Slice a small portion of the bottom of the acorn squash to get an excellent flat base. Then trim the edges and cut it into two halves. Scoop out the flesh using an ice-cream scoop or with a spoon.
- Now chop them lengthwise into four or slices like below.
Season the acorn squash and air fry
- Preheat your air fryer if required for 5 minutes. Oil the acorn squash both on all the sides and sprinkle salt and pepper.
- Now place the acorn squash in the air fryer basket, like below, the cut side top.
- Air fry the acorn squash for 6 minutes at 370 deg F.
- After 6 minutes, using a tong, carefully flip the acorn squash so the cut side is down like below. Air fry the acorn squash for 6 minutes at 370 deg F.
- After this, remove the acorn squash from the air fryer and place it in the working area. Evenly spread the pesto sauce on each slice like below. ( I used one heaped tsp of pesto sauce for each slice.) Then sprinkle the pine nuts and the chipotle chili flakes.
- Place the acorn squash slices back into the air fryer basket and air fry it at 400 deg F for 10 minutes.
- Carefully remove it from the air fryer basket and serve warm!
Recipe Notes:
- This air fryer timing yields fork-tender acorn squash. You can increase the cooking time by 3 to 4 minutes but not more than that, especially for this recipe. Depending upon the thickness of each slice, the cooking time might vary slightly.
- Adjust the seasonings as per your preference. You can use homemade or store-bought pesto for this recipe.
- Instead of pinenuts, you can use slivered almonds as well.
P.S.: If you try this roasted acorn squash, please don’t forget to comment and rate this recipe. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I will get to it A.S.A.P. Make sure to follow me on my Pinterest for more healthy and delicious ideas! Follow me on Instagram or join my Facebook Group for more gardening and recipe updates! You can also sign-up for my newsletter for weekly updates.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Acorn Squash | Roasted Acorn Squash with Pesto
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Instructions
Cut the acorn squash:
- Wash the acorn squash thoroughly and pat it dry. Slice a small portion of the bottom of the acorn squash to get an excellent flat base. Then trim the edges and cut it into two halves. Scoop out the flesh using an ice-cream scoop or with a spoon.
- Now chop them lengthwise into four or slices like below.
Season the acorn squash and air fry
- Preheat your air fryer if required for 5 minutes. Oil the acorn squash both on all the sides and sprinkle salt and pepper.
- Now place the acorn squash in the air fryer basket, like below, the cut side top.
- Air fry the acorn squash for 6 minutes at 370 deg F.
- After 6 minutes, using a tong, carefully flip the acorn squash so the cut side is down like below. Air fry the acorn squash for 6 minutes at 370 deg F.
- After this, remove the acorn squash from the air fryer and place it in the working area. Evenly spread the pesto sauce on each slice like below. ( I used one heaped tsp of pesto sauce for each slice.) Then sprinkle the pine nuts and the chipotle chili flakes.
- Place the acorn squash slices back into the air fryer basket and air fry it at 400 deg F for 10 minutes.
- Carefully remove it from the air fryer basket and serve warm!
Notes
- This air fryer timing yields fork-tender acorn squash. You can increase the cooking time by 3 to 4 minutes but not more than that, especially for this recipe. Depending upon the thickness of each slice, the cooking time might vary slightly.
- Adjust the seasonings as per your preference. You can use homemade or store-bought pesto for this recipe.
- Instead of pine nuts, you can use slivered almonds as well.
Nutrition
I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.
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