Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin is a simple side dish that is quick to make and tastes delicious. This soft, roast pumpkin can be made in your air fryer in minutes!
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Air-Fried Roast Pumpkin
Roasting chunks of pumpkin in your Air Fryer is a great way to make a simple and tasty vegetable side dish! An Airfryer makes the roasting process so quick and easy - and the best part is that there is no need to turn on your oven!
I love making this air-fried roast pumpkin during the Fall months - but it is such a versatile dish that can be enjoyed all year long in so many different ways. It can be enjoyed as a side or can be included in a recipe.
Roast pumpkin goes with many different flavors and types of main dishes - you can even puree it to use as an ingredient in other recipes or as baby food!
This Air Fryer Pumpkin recipe is also healthy to enjoy. Pumpkin is a highly nutritious vegetable and Air Frying requires little to no oil to become roasted and caramelized.
For more easy air fryer recipes, check out our Frozen Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets and Air Fryer Popcorn!
Ingredients & Notes
For this easy recipe, you will simply need pumpkin, oil, and seasonings. The choice is yours when it comes to which type of pumpkin to use and which flavors you want. See below for more information:
Which Pumpkin should I use for Air Frying?
Nearly all varieties of pumpkin and squash can be air fried with excellent results. The different pumpkin varieties may all look different from the outside, but they all have similar flesh and will roast well in an air fryer.
Some of the best pumpkin varieties for air frying are Long Island Cheese and New England Pie. It may be worth keeping in mind that it is often easier to prepare and work with smaller varieties of pumpkin.
Seasoning Options for Air Fryer Roast Pumpkin
I like to add salt, ground black pepper, and ground cinnamon to my roast pumpkin but other seasoning options you could also add include:
- 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 Vegetables?
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.
If you want to make a healthier version of this recipe you can use an oil spray instead of regular oil. Just be sure to look for the spray type that spritzes rather than an aerosol. This is because the propellant in aerosol oil sprays can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer.
How to best prepare a pumpkin for Air Frying
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.
You can cut the pumpkin into wedges, fries, chips, or cubes, half an inch thick. You can also leave the skin on if you prefer, but be sure to clean up the stringy bits from the inside. Do this by using a spoon to scrape out the seeds and fiber. Don't throw away the seeds; you can turn them into a delicious snack!
You can also buy pre-cut pumpkin wedges or pieces at grocery stores if you don't have the time to prepare your own. 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
Cooking pumpkin in an Air Fryer is a quick and easy process. You can have delicious, roasted pumpkin in just 15 minutes. Follow the simple steps below to Air Fry Roast Pumpkin:
Step-by-Step Instructions
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 prepared pumpkin 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 tender and golden when it is done.
You can then enjoy your soft and roasted pumpkin pieces as you desire!
Storage Instructions
You can store any leftover pumpkin in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can enjoy the leftovers 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.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Make sure you are using a culinary pumpkin for this recipe, and not the ones intended for decorating. These often have stringy and watery flesh and are too large to easily work with.
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket as this will result in uneven roasting. Rather 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.
Serving Suggestions
You can enjoy this roasted Airfryer pumpkin as an easy snack or you can serve it alongside other dishes as a part of a main meal.
As a snack, I like to serve the roasted pumpkin with a dipping sauce such as tahini, Jalapeno Hummus, ranch dressing, or Dragon Sauce. You can also serve it alongside other vegetables, crackers, and types of bread as part of a snack platter.
As a side dish, roast pumpkin pairs well with all sorts of meats, fish, and grains. It works as a delicious part of any Fall meal. I love serving mine with Parmesan Panko Crusted Chicken, Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Cheese, or Creamy Tuscan Chicken.
You can also puree your cooked pumpkin to make a tasty pumpkin puree. This can then be used in all sorts of desserts and soups. I love to make FLUFFY PUMPKIN PANCAKES and PUMPKIN PIE OVERNIGHT OATS with my pumpkin puree!
More Pumpkin Recipes To Try:
Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin
Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin is a simple Fall side that is quick to make and tastes delicious. This soft, roast pumpkin can be made in your air fryer in minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 lb pumpkin, peeled and deseeded
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or any other light oil)
- Seasoning (See options below)
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika (sweet or smoked)
- Chili powder or curry powder for a spicy kick
- Brown sugar for a sweeter version
- Dried mixed herbs
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°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
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover pumpkin in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can enjoy the leftovers for up to 3 days.
To reheat the pumpkin using an air fryer, simply air fry for 3 - 4 minutes until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat the pumpkin in the microwave for 2 minutes on high.
Recipe Tips
- 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.
I hope you love this Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin recipe as much as I do. And if you want to see more of my food adventures, follow me on Instagram or Facebook.
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