Air fryer delicata squash is a quick and easy side dish to make this fall or winter, and it comes out gorgeous! The squash gets roasted to perfection in the air fryer, and looks so fancy with its scalloped edges. This is a dish that is perfect for entertaining.
Give me all the winter squash this time of year. I love cooking it all. Butternut squash, delicata squash, acorn squash, etc. While I used to roast all my squash, lately I've been using my air fryer because it's quicker and easier!
I especially love making this air fryer delicata squash because it's delicious and gorgeous. And delicata squash is smaller than butternut squash, so it's easier to slice and make (and doesn't leave you with a ton of leftovers).
I also love the peel, which adds a nice additional texture to the air fryer delicata squash.
Ingredients
- Delicata squash - This is the type of winter squash needed for this recipe.
- Olive oil - Olive oil helps to get the squash roasted to perfection in the air fryer.
- Dried thyme - Dried thyme adds that perfect additional flavor to the squash. However, you can swap out with your favorite dried herb.
- Salt - Salt add that slight needed bit of extra flavor.
What is delicata squash?
Delicata squash is a winter squash that is an oval shape. It also has scalloped edges that look beautiful when sliced.
The squash tastes similar to a butternut squash, and it does not need to be peeled! You can eat the peel and flesh, though the seeds are usually scooped out before cooking.
Delicata squash can be found during the fall and winter months in most grocery stores. It is also sometimes called sweet potato squash or peanut squash.
How to pick a good delicata squash
Delicata squash should be firm, with no brown or mushy spots or wrinkles. It should be heavy and look healthy.
Do you need to peel delicata squash?
No! That is one of the fantastic things about this winter squash. No need to peel delicata squash, just slice off the top and bottom parts, then scoop out the seeds before roasting or cooking in the air fryer.
Serving ideas
I love to serve the air fryer delicata squash in a variety of ways! It pairs beautifully with chicken dishes like these Green Goddess Chicken Bites, Air Fryer Greek Chicken, or Lemon Chicken Piccata.
It also makes for a great ingredient to use in a grain bowl, or serve alongside a salad. This is a great dish for holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, because it just looks gorgeous with those scalloped edges!
Customization ideas
- Swap out the dried thyme with your favorite dried herb.
- Toss with a smoked paprika seasoning for a smoky flavor.
- To brighten up the squash, squeeze a little lemon or lime juice over the squash after cooking.
- For a decadent dish, make a brown butter sage sauce, like in these Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes with Sage Brown Butter.
Recipe tips
- All air fryers cook differently. You may need to add slightly more (or less) cooking time for the perfect air fryer delicata squash.
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. Make sure there is proper airflow between the squash slices.
- For a crispier squash, or to speed up the cooking time, slice the squash into thinner pieces about ¼ inch rather than ½ inch.
Instructions
First, cut delicata squash. Chop off the very top and bottom of the squash and stand up to slice down the middle.
Next, scoop out the seeds with a spoon (or ice cream scoop), and then slice the squash into ½ inch pieces.
Add the delicata squash to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, herbs, and salt. While you're doing this, preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes.
Arrange the squash into your air fryer basket. It's okay if some pieces are overlapping, but just make sure you have good airflow throughout.
Cook delicata squash in air fryer, tossing occasionally, until squash is cooked through, tender when pierced with a fork, and roasted to perfection.
Remove the roasted delicata squash from the air fryer and plate as desired.
Other air fryer squash recipes
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves
- Air Fryer Acorn Squash
- Air Fryer Brown Sugar Butternut Squash
- Air Fryer Honeynut Squash
Looking for more air fryer recipes to love? Try these!
Air Fryer Delicata Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 delicata squash
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 380 degrees F.
- Take the squash and chop off the top and bottom. Stand the squash on one end, then slice down the middle. Scoop the seeds out of each half and discard. Slice the squash into ½ inch pieces.
- Add the squash to a large bowl with the olive oil, thyme, and salt. Toss to combine.
- Add the squash to your air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F for 14-16 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes. Remove when the squash is roasted and can be easily pierced with a fork.
Notes
- The squash I used was 1 pound, 3 ounces before slicing.
- You can easily use different spices. Check the blog post above for ideas.
- All air fryers cook differently. Start checking for doneness around the 12 minute mark.
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. Make sure there is proper airflow between the squash slices.
- For a crispier squash, or to speed up the cooking time, slice the squash into thinner pieces about ¼ inch rather than ½ inch.
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