Air Fryer Roasted Pumpkin Recipe
From pies to muffins, pumpkin recipes are the epitome of fall cooking! But there's no need to bake a complicated recipe to enjoy the flavors of fall! With this roasted pumpkin recipe, you can use your air fryer to make a delicious autumn side dish in minutes. And since it's topped with a sweet maple syrup glaze, this simple pumpkin dish is the perfect accent to any fall meal.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
What Do I Need to Make This Roasted Pumpkin Recipe?
With the help of your air fryer, you can enjoy delicious roasted pumpkin in minutes! And since you can whip up this recipe with a short list of ingredients, you'll be on your way to a delicious fall side dish in no time. All you need to prepare roasted pumpkin in your air fryer is:
- Small sugar pumpkin
- Melted butter
- Maple syrup
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Salt
How Do I Make This Roasted Pumpkin Recipe?
Roasting pumpkin slices in your air fryer couldn't be simpler! Just follow these easy instructions to prep and cook the squash in under 30 minutes.
Step One: Prepare the Glaze
Before you can start cooking, you'll need to preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees. Then, combine the maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Whisk the ingredients until smooth, then set the bowl aside.
Step Two: Prep the Pumpkin
Cut your sugar pumpkin in half from stem to base on a large cutting board. Then use a spoon to scoop the seeds out of the center of the pumpkin. After all the seeds have been removed, slice the pumpkin into vertical wedges, around one inch thick. You can leave the skin on the pumpkin as you cook it.
Step Three: Season the Pumpkin
Place the pumpkin slices in a large mixing bowl and top them with melted butter. Then, pour the maple syrup mixture over the top of the slices. Toss to coat the pumpkin pieces in the seasoning until each piece is fully coated.
Step Four: Air Fry the Pumpkin Slices
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Arrange the pumpkin slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket, cooking in batches if all the slices don't fit. Air fry the pumpkin at 390 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through the cook time. The pumpkin is finished cooking when it's fork tender and the edges are caramelized.
How Do You Store Roasted Pumpkin?
No matter how you serve your roasted pumpkin, it's sure to be a hit! But if you have some leftovers when your meal is through, they should be stored in the refrigerator. Transfer the pumpkin pieces to an airtight container and keep them chilled. They'll stay good for up to three days.
You can reheat the leftovers in the air fryer or the oven at 350 degrees for 4 to 5 minutes, until heated through.
Do I Need to Peel Pumpkin Before Roasting?
When you're preparing pumpkin slices in the air fryer, there is no need to remove the skin before cooking. In fact, the pumpkin cooks better in the air fryer with the skin on. That's because the skin helps the slices hold their shape.
The pumpkin skin will soften as it cooks, so there's no worrying about it being too difficult to eat. But if you don't want to serve the pumpkin with the skin on, you can easily pull the cooked skin off the slices before serving.
Roasted Pumpkin Recipe Ideas
This basic roasted pumpkin recipe is the perfect starting point for creating some delicious fall side dishes in your air fryer! With these recipe ideas, you can enjoy roasted pumpkin a variety of ways throughout the entire season.
- Add a little spice. Since this recipe is seasoned with basic fall spices, it's easy to take the flavor of your roasted pumpkin up a notch. To add some spice to your pumpkin, simply add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the maple syrup mixture before cooking.
- Make it dairy free. Since this recipe is made with butter, it's not dairy-free as written. But you can easily replace the butter with coconut oil or your favorite dairy-free butter replacement.
- Serve with a topping. Another simple way to add more flavor to your pumpkin slices is with a simple topping. Try drizzling some tahini over the top of the slices or adding a sprinkling of goat cheese before serving.
How to Serve Roasted Pumpkin
There are so many delicious ways you can enjoy your air fryer roasted pumpkin after it's prepared! Try some of these serving ideas to enjoy a delicious pumpkin side all fall long.
- Side dish. This roasted pumpkin is a great way to add a sweet and savory side dish to any meal. It pairs perfectly with holiday meals or as a side to roasted meats for a weeknight dinner.
- Over rice or quinoa. Give your grain bowl some delicious fall flavor by topping it with a couple of roasted pumpkin slices.
- Appetizers. Start off your dinner or party with a helping of fall by serving these fun pumpkin slices as a starter for your next meal.
Perfect Dishes to Pair with Air Fryer Roasted Pumpkin Slices
Your air fryer has just delivered perfectly caramelized pumpkin slices with that irresistible maple glaze, and now you're wondering what to serve alongside this autumn masterpiece. With fall flavors taking center stage in kitchens everywhere, knowing how to pair your sweet, cinnamon-spiced pumpkin can transform a simple side dish into a memorable meal.
Whether you're planning a cozy family dinner or hosting friends for a seasonal gathering, thes complementary dishes will help you create a well-rounded menu that celebrates the best of fall cooking. From savory proteins that balance the sweetness to grain-based sides that add heartiness, you'll discover options for every occasion and dietary preference.
- Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin: The mild sweetness of your maple-glazed pumpkin creates an exceptional pairing with herb-crusted pork tenderloin. The savory herbs-think rosemary, thyme, and sage-provide an earthy contrast that highlights the pumpkin's natural flavors without competing for attention. Pork's naturally mild flavor profile allows the cinnamon and nutmeg notes in your pumpkin to shine while adding substantial protein to the meal.
- Wild Rice Pilaf with Cranberries: A nutty wild rice pilaf studded with tart cranberries brings textural variety and earthy depth to complement your sweet pumpkin slices. The chewy texture of wild rice provides a satisfying contrast to the tender pumpkin, while cranberries echo the fall theme with their bright acidity cutting through the maple syrup's richness.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Brussels sprouts might seem like an unlikely partner for sweet pumpkin, but their slight bitterness and crispy texture create a perfect flavor balance. When roasted until caramelized and tossed with crispy bacon bits, Brussels sprouts add a savory, umami-rich element that prevents your meal from becoming overly sweet.
Air Fryer Roasted Pumpkin Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ small sugar pumpkin about 1–1.25 lbs — or 1 whole if doubling
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth. Set aside.
- Starting with half a small sugar pumpkin (or a whole one, if doubling), cut it in half from stem to base and scoop out the seeds.
- Slice the pumpkin into vertical wedges, about 1 inch thick. Leave the skin on. Place in a mixing bowl
- Pour over the butter followed by the maple syrup mixture.
- Arrange slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry at 390°F for 13–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the slices are fork-tender and caramelized at the edges.
- If desired, brush again with leftover maple butter and garnish before serving.
Notes
• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4–5 minutes until heated through. Frequently Asked Questions Should I peel the pumpkin first?
No need. The skin softens as it cooks and helps the slices hold their shape. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes—substitute the butter with coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative.
Nutrition
7 Comments