Making air fryer pumpkin is a simple way to enjoy the natural sweetness of the pumpkin during the fall months. The air fryer gently roasts the pumpkin until tender and golden brown, bringing out its warm, earthy flavor without needing much oil or time in the oven.
This easy side dish pairs beautifully with almost any meal and can also be used for soups, salads, grain bowls, or served with a delicious dipping sauce. Whether you’re preparing a cozy fall dinner or adding more whole foods to your everyday routine, this quick roasted pumpkin is a great way to bring a touch of seasonal comfort to your table.
Ingredient Notes
For this simple recipe, you will only need fresh pumpkin, oil, and seasonings. The choice is yours when it comes to which type of pumpkin to use and which flavors you want.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient list with measurements.
Which Pumpkin should I use for Air Frying?
Some of the best varieties of pumpkins for air frying are Long Island Cheese and New England Pie. Ideally you want a pie grown for eating (also known as sugar pumpkins or pie pumpkins), rather than the type used for carving for Halloween. Halloween pumpkins typically have stringy, watery flesh that isn't as tasty when cooked.
Seasoning Options
I like to add salt, ground black pepper, and ground cinnamon to my roast pumpkin but here are some other suggestions:
- Ground nutmeg
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika (sweet or smoked)
- Chili powder or curry powder for a spicy kick
- Brown sugar or maple syrup for a sweeter version
- Dried mixed herbs, rosemary, sage, or thyme
Which oil is best for Air Frying?
I like to use olive oil for air-frying my vegetables. But you can use any type of cooking oil that you would normally use for frying. Something with a high smoke point is best, such as vegetable oil, avocado oil, or canola oil.
You can drizzle oil over the vegetables or use an oil spray. If you choose to spray the oil on, be sure to avoid aerosol sprays. The propellant in aerosol oil sprays can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer.
How to Cut a Pumpkin for Roasting
To prepare your pumpkin for air frying, you will need a sharp knife and a sturdy chopping board. Use your sharp knife to cut your pumpkin very slowly and carefully while holding it steady. I find using a sawing motion with a serrated knife is the easiest way to cut through the tough pumpkin skin.
Use a large spoon to scoop out the pumpkin seeds and scrape away the stringy fibers inside. Don't throw away the pumpkin seeds; you can turn them into a delicious snack!
I cut the pumpkin into wedges for easier handling and remove the pumpkin skins. You can leave the skin on if you prefer, although it does become tougher when roasted. Then further cut the pumpkin flesh into fries, chips, or bite-sized cubes.
You can often find pre-cut pumpkin wedges or cubes at the grocery store during the fall. They will work just as well for this recipe.
You can also prepare your pumpkin ahead of time. I cube the pumpkin and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Then it is ready to use when needed.
How To Make Roast Pumpkin In An Air Fryer
Once you have your pumpkin cut, making this delicious side dish is quick and easy in the air fryer.
- STEP ONE: Preheat your Air Fryer to 360°F (180°C).
- STEP TWO: Prepare and cut your pumpkin into chunks, about 1-inch cubes.
- STEP THREE: Place the pumpkin cubes in a large mixing bowl along with the oil and season well with the seasonings of your choice. Mix well with a spoon to coat evenly.
- STEP FOUR: Place the seasoned pumpkin chunks into the air fryer basket. Arrange the pieces so they are not touching each other and are in a single layer.
- STEP FIVE: Place the basket into the air fryer. Cook the pumpkin in the Air Fryer for 10 -15 minutes. It should be fork tender with golden, caramelized edges when it is done.
Storage
Store leftover pumpkin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat the pumpkin using an air fryer, simply air fry for 3 - 4 minutes at 360°F (180°C) until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat the pumpkin in the microwave for 2 minutes on high.
More pumpkin recipes to try:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Air Fryer Pumpkin
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Pumpkin peeled and deseeded
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil or any other light oil
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360 °F (182 °C)
- Prepare and cut your pumpkin into chunks, about 1-inch cubes.
- Place in a large mixing bowl along with the oil and season well with the seasonings of your choice. Mix well to coat.
- Place the prepared pumpkin chunks into the air fryer basket. Arrange the pieces so they are not touching each other.
- Place the basket into the air fryer. Cook the pumpkin in the air fryer for 10 -15 minutes. It should be tender and golden when it is done.
Notes
- Make sure you are using a culinary pumpkin for this recipe, and not the ones intended for decorating.
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket as this will result in uneven roasting. Cook the pumpkin in batches if needed.
- Cut the pumpkin into equal sized pieces for even cooking. You can also cut your pumpkin into wedges or into fries. Just remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly - it will need to increase or decrease according to the size of the pumpkin pieces.
- To make cutting the pumpkin a bit easier, you can first soften it in the microwave (or oven) before cutting it up.
Leave a Comment