Stuffed Air Fryer Acorn Squash {Slow Cooker option}

This Air Fryer Acorn Squash is an easy-to-make side dish featuring seasonal squash stuffed with a sweet, nutty breadcrumb filling. The air fryer method helps create a delectable balance of soft, savory squash and crunchy, caramelized filling. Perfect for the holidays! Slow cooker method included. 

Don’t you just love all the different squash varieties? I have a few recipes to try, like Stuffed Patty Pan Squash, Stuffed Yellow Squash, Stuffed Zucchini, and this 10 out of 10 air fryer stuffed acorn squash recipe!

At the heart of this dish is an aromatic cinnamon-spiced pecan filling. It complements the natural, velvety richness of the acorn squash with an irresistibly sweet and nutty crunch. 

It’s worth noting that the air fryer’s magical touch creates flawless caramelization on top, but you can also make this stuffed acorn squash in the Crockpot. Regardless, this is the perfect sweet and savory side dish to steal the spotlight on your holiday table!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Air fryer caramelized perfection. The crunch of the sweet, cinnamon-spiced pecan filling that the air fryer helps create with the creamy acorn squash is next level. 
• Slow cooker option. No air fryer? Keep reading for slow cooker stuffed acorn squash instructions (though the air fryer method is much better at caramelizing the top).  
• Healthy and simple. It's super easy to throw together with a shortlist of whole-food ingredients. 
• Holiday side dish sensation. This sweet and savory stuffed squash will impress your family and friends at the many fall and winter feasts!

Ingredients you'll need

For the squash: 

• Acorn squash. Classic dark green acorn squash is the most common variety, but you can also cook golden acorn squash, white acorn squash, or table queen acorn squash in the air fryer or slow cooker. To pick a ripe acorn squash, look for one with an even deep green color and firm, unblemished skin.
• EVOO cooking spray.  Or avocado or coconut oil cooking spray keeps the squash flesh moist during cooking. 
• Garnish. A finishing touch of maple syrup (I love the Trader Joe’s bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup here!), orange zest, and a coarse salt enhance the overall flavor. Don’t skip the garnishes!

For the filling: 

• Panko bread crumbs. Add a crispy texture and help bind the filling. Use gluten-free panko if you need to. 
• Finely chopped pecans. Or walnuts, add a nutty flavor and a delightful crunchy contrast to the creaminess of the squash. 
• Maple sugar. I used my favorite maple sugar to sweeten the filling, but brown sugar or coconut sugar also works.
• Melted butter. Adds rich flavor and helps in browning and crisping the top of the filling.
• Orange juice. Imparts a touch of bright, citrusy flavor. Be sure to use freshly squeezed orange juice here, as you also need the zest.
• Spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg add warm and cozy aromas, while a pinch of coarse salt ties it all together. 

How to cook acorn squash in air fryer

Step 1: Prep squash and filling. Wash the squash and pat dry, then cut in half, scoop out the seeds, and score the flesh.

Combine the filling ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. 

Step 2: Cook stuffed squash. Air fry the acorn squash flesh side down at 325-330℉ (depending on your air fryer’s temperature settings) for 20 minutes. Then, flip, spray with olive oil, and cook at 400℉ for 10-12 minutes, adding the filling for the last 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Plate and serve. Carefully remove the squash from the air fryer and set it on a plate. Drizzle maple syrup over top, and sprinkle with orange zest and a pinch of coarse salt. Cut the halves into two portions, and enjoy!

Slow cooker instructions

To cook your acorn squash in the slow cooker instead of air frying, prep the squash and filling mixture as you normally would, then proceed with these steps: 

• Place the squash halves in the slow cooker, flesh side facing up. 
• Spoon the filling in the middle and drizzle with olive oil. 
• Cook 3 ½  hours on high or 5-6 hours on low until squash is tender. 

The slow cooker method yields flavorful, tender squash. The difference is the caramelization you get from the air fry and oven-roasting methods.

Recipe tips

• Halve and seed squash. When cutting the squash in half, make the halves as evenly as possible so they cook at the same rate. You can use a spoon to scrape out all the seeds and pulp from the center to make room for the filling.
• Use finely chopped nuts. To create a filling with a crumble-like consistency, make sure the nuts are chopped as finely as possible. I use this mini food processor for this.

• Zest using a microplane.  I love using this microplane to zest an orange for garnish before juicing it for the filling. It really helps the flavor pop.  
• Line with foil or parchment. Consider lining the air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment to catch any filling and make cleanup easier.
• Don’t overcrowd the basket. One average-sized 4-5” wide acorn squash should fit halved in an air fryer basket, but my squash was larger, so I had to cook it in two batches. Keep this in mind when planning your meal.  

Variations

If you were hoping for a more savory stuffed acorn squash recipe, try one of these alternate fillings:

• Sausage and wild rice stuffed. Stuff with a mixture of cooked wild rice, ground sausage, celery, onion, finely chopped pecans, cranberries, and dried sage.
• Spinach and mushroom stuffed. Combine sauteed spinach, mushrooms, onion, and garlic with bread crumbs and grated Parmesan for stuffing.
• Sausage and apple stuffed. Fill the squash with a mixture of cooked ground sausage, bread crumbs, diced apple, celery, ground sage, and finely chopped pecans.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Once cooled, place leftover stuffed acorn squash in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

Freezing: Wrap portions of stuffed acorn squash tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, place in a freezer-safe bag or container, and freeze for 2-3 months.

FAQ

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Roasted Carrots 
• Air Fryer Greek Potatoes 
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes  

If you made this acorn squash recipe in your air fryer or slow cooker, I would be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star 🌟 rating in the recipe card below. I love reading your comments and feedback!

Stay posted on my latest cooking adventures through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Also, don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

Stuffed Air Fryer Acorn Squash {Slow Cooker option}

Amee

A stuffed acorn squash recipe made with fresh-squeezed juice, panko, maple sugar, and pecans with cooking methods for the air fryer or slow cooker.

4.75 from 8 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 212 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 Acorn Squash
• ¼ cup panko bread crumbs can use gluten-free panko
• ¼ cup finely chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoon melted butter
• 2 tablespoon maple sugar can swap with brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 1½ tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• olive oil spray
• ½ teaspoon orange zest for garnishing

Instructions

 

• Rinse squash and pat dry
• Cut squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and score the flesh.
• Stir all remaining ingredients together, except olive oil and orange zest.
• Place the squash flesh side down in the air fryer basket. Cook at 325-330 (depending on your air fryer temp settings) degrees F for 20 minutes.
• Flip over, spray with olive oil spray, raise the temp to 400 degrees, and cook for 10-12 minutes more (depending on the size of your squash), adding the filling for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time. *Note: you can add the filling after flipping and place a small piece of foil over just the filling mixture for the last 10-12 minutes. This creates a crispier filling texture just make sure that it's covered so it doesn't burn.
• Carefully remove the squash from the air fryer onto a plate. Drizzle with a little maple syrup, and sprinkle with orange zest and a pinch of coarse salt. Slice halves into two slices and serve.
• Slow Cooker Method:
• Place the squash in the slow cooker, spoon the filling in the middle, and drizzle with olive oil
• Cook 5-6 hours on Low, or 3.5 hours on High, until squash is tender.

Notes

Tips:

• Use finely chopped nuts. To create a filling with a crumble-like consistency, make sure the nuts are chopped as finely as possible.
• Zest using a microplane.  I love using this microplane to zest an orange for garnish before juicing it for the filling. It really helps the flavor pop.  
• Line with foil or parchment. Consider lining the air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment to catch any filling and make cleanup easier.
• Don’t overcrowd the basket. One average-sized 4-5” wide acorn squash should fit halved in an air fryer basket, but my squash was larger, so I had to cook it in two batches. Keep this in mind when planning your meal. 
• Oven method: If you do not have an air fryer or slow cooker, here’s how to cook stuffed acorn squash in the oven: Brush the flesh with olive oil and roast cut-side-down on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 375°F for 50-60 minutes, adding the filling and returning to the oven during the last 5-10 minutes. 

Keyword gluten free, slow cooker, squash

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Amee Livingston

Hi, I'm Amee and I'm completely obsessed with all things fitness, recipe makeovers, and creating tasty, time-saving, recipes. Born and raised in South Carolina, I have a deep love for southern food culture. I am a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Cancer Exercise Specialist, recipe developer, and freelance content creator. I believe that anyone can be an amazing home cook, and there's nothing better than family time around the table!

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