Oven Roasted Acorn Squash Slices
Roasting acorn squash slices is the easiest way to prepare this seasonal vegetable. Simple to prepare, coated with a sweet and savory olive oil mixture, and topped with pecans, these baked acorn squash slices are perfect for holiday meals and weeknight dinners!
Maple Roasted Acorn Squash Slices
If you’ve never attempted to cook acorn squash before, it can be a little intimidating. After all, these round little squash aren’t exactly everyday staples, but I think they definitely should be!
Not only are acorn squash extremely nutritious and budget-friendly when they’re in season, but they’re also simple to prepare and oh-so-tasty and even fancy enough to add to a holiday spread. There are many different ways to prepare this versatile vegetable (technically a fruit), but one of my absolute favorite methods is simply roasting acorn squash slices in the oven.
With minimal prep time and a quick cook time, the end result is delicious slices that are sweet, savory, and super tender. Plus, cleanup is minimal, and they pair wonderfully with all your favorite main dishes. Leftovers store well, too!
Jump to:
- Maple Roasted Acorn Squash Slices
- Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe Ingredients
- How to Roast Acorn Squash Slices
- Oven Roasted Acorn Squash Slices Recipe Variations
- Expert Tips for making Acorn Squash Slices in Oven
- How to Store Acorn Squash Slices
- What to Serve with Baked Acorn Squash Slices
- Sliced Acorn Squash FAQs
- More Popular The Fit Peach Recipes
- Recipe
- Reviews
Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe Ingredients
- Acorn squash - Use whole acorn squash for roasting. Or, swap it out with butternut squash instead.
- Olive oil - Helps caramelize the squash and pecans while also adding a boost of healthy fats.
- Maple syrup - Adds a subtle sweetness without the need for refined sugars. Honey would also work.
- Fresh herbs - Fresh sage and fresh thyme add an herbaceous, earthy flavor.
- Seasonings - Add a sprinkle of garlic powder and sea salt, adjusting to taste.
- Pecans - Provide a nice crunch and a rich, buttery flavor. Walnuts or pecans would also taste great.
How to Roast Acorn Squash Slices
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Prepare the squash. Wash and dry your squash. Then, use a sharp knife to cut the top and bottom off. Place the flat end of the squash on a cutting board, and slice it in half.
Scoop out the seeds, and lay each half cut side down. Slice the halves into long pieces, and place the pieces in a large bowl.
Step 2: Combine the seasonings. Add the oil, maple syrup, herbs, and spices to a cup or jar, and mix to combine. Then, add the pecans, and mix again to coat the nuts.
Step 3: Season the squash. Pour the olive oil mixture evenly over the squash pieces, and too to coat.
Step 4: Roast the acorn squash. Arrange the squash pieces on a greased baking sheet, leaving space between each piece. Sprinkle some of the pecans on top if they’ve fallen to the bottom of the bowl.
Then, roast the squash until it is fork-tender and brown and toasted on top. Repeat as needed, working in batches until all the squash has been cooked.
Step 5: Serve. Transfer the baked acorn squash slices to a serving dish, sprinkle toasted pecans on top, and enjoy!
Oven Roasted Acorn Squash Slices Recipe Variations
- Honey roasted acorn squash : Swap the maple syrup with honey for a deep buttery honey flavor.
- Cheesy roasted acorn squash : Sprinkle ¼ cup parmesan cheese over top of the acorn squash slices, and let it melt over the squash as it cooks.
- Herb roasted acorn squash : Add another ½ teaspoon each of chopped rosemary and oregano to the olive oil mixture for a more herby flavor profile.
- Cinnamon roasted acorn squash : Skip the sage, thyme, and garlic, and instead add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon nutmeg to the olive oil mixture.
Expert Tips for making Acorn Squash Slices in Oven
- Make sure your acorn squash is ripe and ready to be cooked. A ripe acorn squash has a deep green color with a spot of orange here and there at the top and bottom and where it had contact with the ground. Steer clear of squash that has soft spots as it indicates it may be bad inside.
- Try to make the squash slices the same size. This allows them to all cook the same in the oven.
- Coat each slice well with the olive oil mixture. This prevents them from burning in the oven.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Leave some space in between each acorn squash slice so the heat is able to reach all sides and really roast the squash. If there isn’t enough space and the pan is overcrowded, the squash will become mushy and soft.
How to Store Acorn Squash Slices
Fridge : Store cooled roasted acorn squash in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When ready to enjoy, heat the squash back up in the toaster oven or back in the oven at 350 F for 5 minutes until crispy. I don’t recommend microwaving it as it will get even softer.
Freezer : Let the squash slices cool down. Then, pop the baking sheet into the freezer to let the slices freeze individually. Next, place the frozen roasted acorn squash pieces in a freezer-friendly bag or container, and store for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw, and pop them back in the oven at 350 F until crispy.
What to Serve with Baked Acorn Squash Slices
Roasted acorn squash is a great side perfect for weeknight dinners, gatherings, and even holiday meals. Some great dishes to pair it with are air fryer salmon, sweet chili, and chickpea soup.
Sliced Acorn Squash FAQs
Yes, roasting is done at a higher temperature to achieve a crispy layer while cooking the squash through. Baking is simply softening the squash.
Nope! The skin actually gets soft and cooks in the oven too and is edible! If you don’t want to eat it though, it’s easiest to remove the skin after it’s cooked.
Yes! It will soften up when baked.
Acorn squash is a part of the winter squash family along with pumpkin, butternut, delicate, and spaghetti, just to name a few. It has a sweet yet nutty flavor that pairs well with both savory and sweet spices. Many find the meat of the acorn squash to be buttery and can take on the flavor profile of almost anything you cook it with.
For more side dish recipes, check out my:
PS : If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star review and comment below! Also be sure to follow along with me on Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date on all tasty recipes here at The Fit Peach!
More Popular The Fit Peach Recipes
- Almond Flour Cinnamon Rolls
- Dipping Sauces for Sweet Potato Fries
- Southwest White Chicken Chili
- Egg Bites with Ricotta
- Turkey Meatballs
- Raspberry Lemon Cookies
Recipe
Roasted Acorn Squash Slices
Ingredients
- 2 acorn squash - medium
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon sage
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup pecans - chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Wash and dry the outside of the acorn squash. Then use a sharp knife to cut the top and bottom off the squash (about 1 inch on both sides). Place the squash on one of the now flat ends and cut the squash in half. Scoop out the seeds from the middle. Place the acorn squash half flat side down and slice the squash long ways into 1 inch pieces. Add the squash pieces to a large bowl and set aside.2 acorn squash
- In a cup or jar, add the olive oil, maple syrup, sage, thyme, garlic powder, and sea salt. Mix well with a spoon to incorporate the spices. Add the pecans and mix well to coat.¼ cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, ½ teaspoon sage, ½ teaspoon thyme, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ⅛ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ cup pecans
- Pour the olive oil mixture over the acorn squash and toss well to coat each piece.
- Grease a large baking sheet and place each acorn squash slice about 2 inches a part. You may have to work in batches if your baking sheet won’t fit all the slices. Sprinkle some of the pecans over top if they have fallen to the bottom of the bowl. Roast the squash for 15 - 20 minutes until brown and toasted on top. Repeat with any remaining squash slices.
- Transfer the acorn squash to a serving dish, sprinkle with the toasted pecans, and enjoy!
Comments
No Comments