Air Fryer Squash with Maple Glaze: A Delightful Fall Recipe

Meta Description: Learn how to prepare delectable squash in the air fryer with a maple glaze in as little as 30 minutes. This simple meal is full of flavor and ideal for fall.

Introduction

It’s the ideal season to savor the hearty, comforting flavors of fall when the leaves begin to turn and the air becomes crisp. Squash, a versatile vegetable that may be baked, mashed, or even grilled, is one of the season’s standout ingredients. We’ll look at how to prepare maple glaze air fryer squash in this recipe, which will make a tasty and easy meal. This simple dish elevates squash with a rich maple glaze while showcasing its inherent sweetness.

Your family and friends will be impressed by this air fryer squash recipe, whether you’re cooking it for a holiday feast or a casual weeknight supper. Let’s examine the specifics!

Why Use an Air Fryer?

An excellent kitchen tool that cooks food fast and effectively while maintaining a crispy texture without using too much oil is the air fryer. Squash can caramelize wonderfully in an air fryer while maintaining its natural characteristics. Additionally, compared to conventional roasting techniques, it drastically reduces cooking time.

Ingredients

The following items are necessary to make the ideal air fryer squash with maple glaze:

Ingredient	Quantity
Butternut squash	1 medium (about 2 lbs)
Olive oil	2 tablespoons
Maple syrup	3 tablespoons
Cinnamon	1 teaspoon
Nutmeg	1/2 teaspoon
Salt	1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper	1/4 teaspoon
Optional toppings	Chopped pecans or walnuts

Selecting the Right Squash

Look for a squash that is heavy, firm, and has a smooth skin when selecting one. Because of its inherent sweetness and creamy texture, butternut squash is a great choice for this recipe. But you may also try acorn squash or any other type you like.

Preparing the Squash

1. Peeling and Cutting: Peel the butternut squash first. A sharp knife or vegetable peeler will work best because the skin can be tough. Peel the squash, then cut it in half lengthwise, then remove the seeds. To ensure consistent cooking, chop it into 1-inch cubes.

2. Coating with Olive Oil and Seasoning: Add the cubed squash, olive oil, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a large bowl. Coat the squash evenly by tossing it. This is an important step since it improves the flavor and gets the squash ready for that delicious glaze.

Making the Maple Glaze

Make the maple glaze while the squash soaks up the spices and olive oil.

1. Combine Ingredients: Combine the maple syrup and a pinch of salt in a small basin. If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can also add a small pinch of cinnamon.

2. Adjust Sweetness: Adjust the glaze’s sweetness to your liking after tasting it. During the air-frying process, the maple syrup will caramelize and form a wonderfully sticky coating.

Cooking the Squash in the Air Fryer

Your squash has to be cooked now!

1. Preheat the Air Fryer: For around five minutes, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). By doing this, you can make sure the squash cooks through and has the crispy quality you want.

2. Air Frying: In the air fryer basket, arrange the seasoned squash cubes in a single layer. If you have a small air fryer, you might have to cook in batches. To guarantee equal cooking, shake the basket midway during the 15 minutes of cooking.

3. Glazing the Squash: Take the squash out of the air fryer after 15 minutes, then cover it with the maple glaze. Gently toss the squash so that the glaze coats every piece.
4. Final Air Frying: After returning to the air fryer, cook the glazed squash for five more minutes. This gives the squash a gorgeous finish by enabling the glaze to caramelize and stick to it.

Serving Suggestions

When your squash with maple glaze is done, take it out of the air fryer and place it on a platter. For crunch and taste, top with chopped pecans or walnuts, if you’d like. This can be eaten cold as part of a fall salad or served warm as a side dish.

Pairing Suggestions

This delicious air fryer squash goes well with a range of main courses, such as grilled fish, roasted chicken, or a substantial grain salad. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a colorful platter alongside other roasted vegetables, or as part of a vegetarian feast.

Nutritional Benefits

In addition to being tasty, squash is nutrient-dense. It is a nutritious addition to your diet because it is high in dietary fiber and vitamins A and C. The maple syrup offers a more natural alternative by adding a hint of sweetness without overpowering the meal with refined sugars.

Conclusion

This recipe for air fryer squash with maple glaze is a straightforward and filling celebration of fall tastes. It will quickly become a family favorite because to its crispy outside and sweet, caramelized glaze. Additionally, the air fryer approach consistently produces precisely cooked squash while saving time.

Give this recipe a try and share your thoughts! How did your air fryer squash turn out? Did you add any extra toppings or variations? Let us know in the comments below, and happy cooking!

For more delicious fall recipes, check out https://cookandbakersworld.com/air-fry-shrimp-recipe/

You now have a comprehensive instruction to creating maple glaze squash in an air fryer! Have fun while cooking!