Roasted Acorn Squash
This Roasted Acorn Squash is one of my favorite side dishes to make in the fall, and it’s one of the easiest acorn squash recipes you can make!
Squash is one of those ingredients where you don’t have to do much to it to make it taste good.
Because squash has a natural sweetness to it, I find roasting to be the best method, because it intensifies and caramelizes the sweetness and flavors in the squash.
When roasting acorn squash, I like to cut it into slices to maximize surface area for browning, then add a little maple butter to it, which enhances the flavors and gives it a sticky glazed exterior.
You can also roast it simply in slices with oil, salt, and spices like cinnamon or cloves, and end up with something delicious as well.
Cutting it into slices is really worthwhile, rather than just roasting the squash whole or in halves.
There are many varieties of squash, and each one is unique in its own way. The acorn variety has a flavor that’s more similar to a kabocha squash or traditional pumpkin, versus delicata or butternut. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s time!
How to Make Roasted Acorn Squash:
Wash each acorn squash well, then trim the top and bottom off, and scoop out the inner seeds and strings:
I like using a melon baller to scrape out squash, because its edges are sharper than a regular spoon.
How to Cut Acorn Squash:
Lay the squash halves on its flat side, then cut into 1″ thick slices:
To make the maple butter, combine maple syrup, butter, cinnamon, cloves, and salt:
Microwave for 30-60 seconds until the butter is melted, then stir it together and brush onto the acorn squash slices:
If you don’t wish to do the maple butter, you can also make roasted acorn squash with the oil of your choice, such a coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, etc, and spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger.
There should be enough butter or oil to coat both sides of each squash slice:
Roast the acorn squash slices for 25 minutes on the first side, then flip them over and roast for another 15-20 minutes, until the acorn squash is soft and golden:
Can Acorn Squash skin be eaten? Yes, and I do eat the skins! Make sure the outside is washed well before baking.
The one caveat is if the outside is heavily coated in wax, sometimes I’ll skip the skin.
Simply peel the skin off before eating if you want to discard it. I find that easier than peeling before baking.
Butternut Squash Soup is another one of my favorite squash recipes for the fall.
More Squash Recipes:
- Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Focaccia
- Spaghetti Squash with Rosemary Olive Oil and Parmesan
- Butternut Squash Crostini
- Butternut Squash Pizza
Enjoy!
Roasted Acorn Squash
Ingredients
- 2 acorn squash*
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter**
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Wash the squash well, then dry with a towel.
- Trim the top and bottom off each squash, then cut in half from top to bottom.
- Use a melon baller or spoon to remove the inner seeds and strings.
- Lay each acorn squash half on its flat side, and cut into 1-inch thick slices.
- Microwave together the maple syrup, butter, cinnamon, cloves, and salt for about 60 seconds, until the butter has melted. Stir well with a spoon.
- Place the acorn squash slices on a rimmed sheet pan in a single layer, then brush the maple butter onto both sides of the squash.
- Roast the squash for 25 minutes on the first side, then flip each slice over and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until caramelized and soft. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Post updated in October 2018 with new photos, writing, and tips. Originally published in October 2012. This post contains an affiliate link.
Unfortunately this was a bit of a disappointment. Lacked a lot of flavor. It is, however, a recipe that works.
I made the Roasted Butternut squash soup. Thanks so much for this great recipe! I was so happy to find a great recipe requiring zero cream and butter ( I used olive oil). I shared it with my neighbor, who grew the squash I made the soup with!
I was looking for a new recipe to try and the pictures looked great. I made this to go along with our dinner – my husband and I did not like this at all. We at what we could and threw the rest out. I will be going back to my old way of cooking acorn squash.
I made this a while ago and thought it was great. I altered the recipe to suit my tastes by using brown sugar and butter instead of the maple mixture you used. I also sprinkled little bit of salt an pepper on top.
I thought it was amazing…I wanted to just letting the acorn squash shine on its own with very little seasoning. Thank you!