Air Fryer Acorn Squash (Stuffed)

Name: Air Fryer Acorn Squash (Stuffed)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 serving
Ingredients: 2 acorn squash; 1 cup quinoa; 4 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion; 2 stalks celery; 2 small apples; ¼ cup dried cranberries; ¼ cup walnuts; 1 lemon; 2 cloves garlic; 2 tablespoon fresh sage; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper

User Reviews

5.0

120 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings
4
Calories
356 kcal
Course
Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine
North American

Air Fryer Acorn Squash (Stuffed)

Piper Stevens

Report

Acorn Squash with a delicious stuffing of quinoa, apples, cranberries and walnuts. It's a hearty, healthy fall meal or side dish, and using the air fryer makes it quick and easy.

Share:

I Made This!

90 people made this

Print

25 people printed this

Save this

72 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

2 acorn squash small
1 cup quinoa cooked
4 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion diced
2 stalks celery diced
2 small apples peeled, cored, & diced
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup walnuts toasted, chopped
1 lemon juice of
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoon fresh sage chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Add to Shopping List

Instructions

Cut acorn squash in half horizontally (See notes on the easiest way to do this)
Scoop out the seeds and stringy flesh from each squash half
Lightly brush cut sides with a little olive oil and place cut sides down in the basket of an air fryer. Cook at 400° 15 minutes or until fork tender.
While the squash is cooking, heat 2 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion, celery, sage, thyme and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the apples and cook until just softening, about 1 minute
Stir in the walnuts, cooking and stirring until the nuts are lightly toasted, about 2 minutes
Add the quinoa, cranberries, lemon juice, and the remainder of the olive oil. Stir to combine.
With a spoon fill the squash cavities with the quinoa mixture, packing it into the hollow and mounding over the tops. Place the stuffed squash halves into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400° for 5 minutes
Serve hot

Equipments used:

Notes

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.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1g Calories 356kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 60g (20%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g Monounsaturated Fat 11g Sodium 611mg (25%) Potassium 1121mg (32%) Fiber 10g (40%) Sugar 18g (36%) Vitamin A 1084IU (22%) Vitamin C 49mg (54%) Calcium 142mg (14%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 356 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1g
Calories	356kcal	18%
Carbohydrates	60g	20%
Protein	6g	12%
Fat	20g	31%
Saturated Fat	3g	15%
Polyunsaturated Fat	6g	35%
Monounsaturated Fat	11g	55%
Sodium	611mg	25%
Potassium	1121mg	24%
Fiber	10g	40%
Sugar	18g	36%
Vitamin A	1084IU	22%
Vitamin C	49mg	54%
Calcium	142mg	14%
Iron	4mg	22%