Recipes
Maple and Butter Acorn Squash
4 servings
15-30 min
Easy
When I was growing up, my mom made acorn squash for us this way every fall, except of course she baked them in a traditional oven, so they took more than twice as long to cook. This sped- up air fryer oven version is just as wonderful. Each squash half acts as a vessel for a rich and sweet combination of butter, maple syrup, and spices. Serve the squash as a vegetable side dish—or even with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the middle for dessert.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Line the cooking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Place the squashes on a cutting board and cut them in half from stem to tip. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds and stringy flesh. Place the scooped-out squash halves cut side up on the cutting board—if they do not sit perfectly level, trim off a small piece on the bottom to make them do so. Transfer the halves to the cooking pan.
- Preheat the oven on BAKE at 375°F and set the cooking time for 22 minutes.
- Use a pastry brush to brush the butter on the cut edges of the squashes, then pour the remaining butter into the squash cavities. Pour the maple syrup into the squash cavities. Sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Bake the squashes in the preheated oven.
- When the cooking program ends, check the squashes for doneness —you should be able to pierce the flesh easily with a fork. If they are not cooked through, bake for a few more minutes.
- Carefully transfer the squashes to serving plates and serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information: Per serving: 216 calories, 11 grams fat, 30 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 1 gram protein., Vegan (substitute vegan butter for the butter) and gluten-free
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About the chef
Coco Morante
Coco Morante is a bestselling cookbook author with seven titles, including The Essential Instant Pot Cookbook and The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook. With a passion for cooking since childhood, Morante is known for her expertise in Instant Pot recipes and her ability to simplify meal preparation. She contributes recipes and photography to well-known publications like Simply Recipes and The Kitchn, and manages the popular Instant Pot Recipes Facebook page. Morante's approachable style has made her a trusted resource for home cooks everywhere.
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