This Air Fryer Maple Delicata Squash is the fall side dish I look forward to making every single year. Delicata squash is my absolute favorite winter squash and I grow it in my garden every season specifically because it is the easiest squash to work with. No peeling, no wrestling with a rock hard butternut skin, and no special equipment required.

You just slice it, toss it in a bowl with maple syrup, cinnamon, olive oil, and sea salt, and let the air fryer do its thing in about 12 minutes.

What makes this version special is the maple cinnamon coating. Most air fryer delicata squash recipes keep it simple and savory with garlic and salt which is delicious but this sweet and caramelized version is something else entirely.

The maple syrup caramelizes in the air fryer and creates these gorgeous golden edges that taste almost like candy.

It is sweet enough to feel indulgent but still works beautifully as a side dish alongside roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or a holiday meal. Once you try it this way you will not want to make it any other way.

If you are looking for more air fryer vegetable recipes try my Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini Squash, my Air Fryer Roasted Parmesan Broccoli or my Air Fryer Pesto Baby Potatoes.

You can find all of my air fryer recipes here: Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes

What Is Delicata Squash and Why You Need to Try It

If you have never cooked with delicata squash before this recipe is the perfect introduction. Here is everything you need to know.

• Delicata squash is a small oblong winter squash with creamy yellow skin and distinctive green stripes. It is sometimes called sweet potato squash because its flavor is mild, naturally sweet, and creamy similar to a sweet potato but with a subtle squash earthiness. The texture when cooked is silky and tender with a slight sweetness that caramelizes beautifully at high heat.
• The biggest reason to love delicata squash is that you do not have to peel it. The skin is thin and edible and softens completely during cooking. This makes it significantly easier and faster to prepare than butternut squash, acorn squash, or any other winter squash you might have worked with before. No vegetable peeler required.
• Delicata squash is also a good source of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and beta carotene making it one of the more nutritious fall vegetables you can add to your plate.

Why the Air Fryer Is the Best Way to Cook Delicata Squash

You can roast delicata squash in the oven but the air fryer does something the oven cannot achieve as quickly or as effectively. The concentrated circulating heat of the air fryer caramelizes the maple syrup coating and the natural sugars in the squash faster and more intensely than oven roasting, giving you those gorgeous golden caramelized edges in just 12 minutes instead of the 25 to 30 minutes an oven would take.

The air fryer also frees up your oven for everything else you are making for dinner which is especially valuable when you are cooking a holiday meal and every inch of oven space is spoken for.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Maple Delicata Squash

A few simple tips will help you get perfectly caramelized and tender squash every time.

• Do not overcrowd the basket. This is the most important tip for any air fryer recipe. If the squash slices are piled on top of each other the air cannot circulate around them and they will steam rather than caramelize. Cook in a single layer and work in batches if you have more squash than fits comfortably.
• Shake the basket halfway through. At the six minute mark shake the basket or use tongs to flip the squash pieces so both sides get equal exposure to the heat and caramelize evenly.
• Cut the slices consistently. Try to cut all your squash slices to the same quarter inch thickness so they all cook at the same rate. Thicker slices may need an extra two to three minutes.
• Watch closely at the end. The maple syrup can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt quickly in the last few minutes. Check at 12 minutes and add time in two minute increments if needed.

Serving Suggestions

This maple delicata squash is versatile enough to work with many different meals. Here are my favorite ways to serve it.

• As a holiday side dish. The sweet caramelized maple flavor makes this elegant enough for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. It looks beautiful on a holiday table and takes only 22 minutes to make.
• Alongside roasted chicken or pork. The sweet maple coating pairs especially well with savory proteins like roasted chicken thighs, pork tenderloin, or grilled chicken breast.
• On a fall salad. Add the warm squash slices to a bed of mixed greens or arugula with walnuts, dried cranberries, and a simple maple vinaigrette for a stunning seasonal salad.

Oven Instructions

No air fryer? No problem. This recipe works beautifully in the oven as well.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Prepare the squash exactly as directed in the recipe. Spread the seasoned squash slices in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet with space between each piece. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes flipping halfway through until the squash is tender and caramelized. The oven version will take about twice as long as the air fryer but the results are equally delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Maple Delicata Squash Ingredients

• Delicata Squash
• Olive Oil
• Pure Maple Syrup
• Sea Salt
• Coarse Ground Black Pepper
• Ground Cinnamon

Instructions

Using a sharp knife, slice the Delicata squash in half. Remove the seeds from the center. Cut the ends off and discard. Slice the squash into ¼ inch thick half rounds.

Place squash, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, pepper and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir to coat the squash thoroughly.

Pour the squash mixture into the basket of your air fryer. Drizzle the sauce from the bowl over the squash.

Air fry at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.

After 12 minutes check the squash. It should be cooked through and starting to brown. If there isn't any browning yet cook at 400 degrees for another 2-5 minutes.

Serve warm as a side dish.