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Air fryer pumpkin is tender inside with lightly caramelized edges, can be seasoned multiple ways, cooks in just 20 minutes, and is a perfect gluten-free, paleo, WFPB, vegan fall side dish!
Table of contents
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin
Spooky season is upon us, and while we’re busy planning this year’s decorations and whipping up batches of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin brownies courtesy of canned pumpkin puree, there’s definitely room left for getting fresh pumpkin on your dinner table, too – whether a mid-week meal or your Thanksgiving table.
Pumpkin is perfect for adding to your fall menu. They’re versatile, easy to prepare, and impressively packed with nutrients. That includes being a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin K, and Vitamin E, with moderate amounts of iron, magnesium, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, and several antioxidants.
Its sweet-savory flavor also lends itself well to both sweet and savory seasonings. Plus, roasting pumpkin in an air fryer means you can have this side on your table in about 30 minutes. Best of all, if you live somewhere with a fairly short pumpkin season, air-fried pumpkin also freezes wonderfully, ready to enjoy all fall/winter.
Looking for more simple air fryer sides? Check out air fryer Brussels sprouts, potato wedges, green bean fries, and even air fryer chickpeas!
The Ingredients
- Pumpkin: Use a small culinary pumpkin like a sugar pumpkin – also called sweet or pie pumpkins-, Long Island Cheese, or Cinderella pumpkins (not a carving pumpkin/ field pumpkin) with smooth, blemish-free skin that’s heavy for its size. Kabocha squash (aka Japanese pumpkin) will also work.
- Olive oil: I used extra-virgin olive oil, but any cooking oil, like avocado oil, or coconut oil (melted), will work. Avoid using cooking spray like PAM in your air fryer, as they can damage the non-stick lining.
- Seasonings: For this easy air fryer pumpkin recipe, we used:
- Pumpkin pie spice (optional, but we love the warm depth)
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
Other Ways to Season Air Fryer Pumpkin
There are plenty of seasonings/ spices that complement the sweet and savory flavor of pumpkin. Feel free to experiment with any of the below.
- Black pepper (for subtle spice)
- Cinnamon (for sweet or savory)
- Nutmeg (just a tiny pinch for warm depth)
- Smoked paprika (to add subtle smokiness)
- Onion powder (enhance the savory flavor)
- Ground cumin (an earthy, savory flavor that pairs well with curry and spice)
- Garam masala/ Curry powder (for a savory spicy flavor)
- Chili/Cayenne powder (season to taste for a hint or kick of spice)
- Dried thyme, rosemary, sage (fresh should only be added in the last few minutes)
- Cajun seasoning (add to taste)
- Brown sugar/ maple syrup (1-2 tbsp for sweetness and extra caramelization)
To garnish: We like to garnish the air fryer roasted pumpkin with fresh parsley, pumpkin seeds/pecans, dried cranberries, vegan feta cheese, and/or a sauce – like this tahini dressing.
How to Peel and Cube Pumpkin
- First, wash the pumpkin well if needed.
Optionally soften it in the microwave for about 2 minutes.
- Then, use a long, sharp knife to cut the pumpkin in half.
- Use a spoon to scrape/scoop out the fleshy, seedy part from both halves.
We highly recommend setting the seeds aside to make roasted pumpkin seeds or pumpkin seed pesto.
- Then, place the pumpkin halves, cut-side down, on your cutting board and cut them in half lengthwise once more (from pole to pole, not across the equator).
- Then, using a paring knife or a vegetable peeler, peel away the skin in small strips.
Some people prefer to cut the strips before peeling them – it’s up to you.
- Next, cut each pumpkin quarter into ½-inch strips (or your desired size) before dicing those.
How to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin?
Roasting pumpkin in an air fryer is simple to do in a handful of steps.
- 1) First, preheat the oven to 400F/205C.
- 2) Then, peel and dice the pumpkin into ½-inch cubes (following the steps above).
Alternatively, air fry them in ½-inch pumpkin slices, wedges, or fries.
- 3) In a large mixing bowl, combine the oil and seasonings, mix well, and toss in the pumpkin, using your hands to ensure it’s evenly coated.
- Spread the pumpkin cubes in a single layer (with little overlapping) in your air fryer basket and air fry for about 20 minutes, shaking once halfway.
Work in batches, if necessary, rather than overcrowding the basket. Adjust the time up or down by a few minutes for softer or more crisp and caramelized results.
FAQs
If the pumpkin is small enough to fit in your air fryer basket, then absolutely. I recommend about 12 minutes of air frying per lb. at 400F/205C or until knife-tender.
Air frying pumpkin whole or halves is best if you want to make pumpkin puree.
Pumpkin peel is technically edible, though many varieties are tough and papery once cooked, so we highly recommend peeling them first.
Absolutely. Once peeled and chopped, store the pumpkin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days before air frying/baking it.
Chop and season the pumpkin, spread it across a large sheet pan, and bake in a preheated oven at 425F for 25-30 minutes, checking every 10 minutes.
Top Recipe Tips and Notes
- Use a culinary pumpkin: While most ‘carving’ pumpkins are edible, they aren’t as tasty, can be fairly stringy, and have less flesh. So, use an edible variety for the best results.
- Save the seeds and peel: The peel can be turned into crispy chips, and the seeds can be roasted as a snack.
- To save time and effort: You may be able to purchase pre-chopped pumpkin.
- Cut even pieces: Or as even as you can for their shape. This will ensure they air fry evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Spread it in a single layer with little to no overlapping. This ensures the pumpkin ‘roasts’ with caramelized edges. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fryer time varies: Based on the exact size of the pieces and your air fryer make/model. First, check on them at around 15 minutes and again every 1-2 minutes until they’re done to your preferred level.
Serving Recommendations
You can enjoy this air-fried pumpkin as a side dish for all your favorite meals, including Sunday dinner, vegan Thanksgiving, and on weeknights, as well as:
- To add to salads
- Toss into pasta dishes – like mac and cheese, pesto pasta, pumpkin pasta bake, etc.
- Enjoy over or in pumpkin risotto
- In vegan tofu tacos, burritos, sweet potato enchiladas, or bean quesadillas
- In a vegan quiche or vegan frittata
- In a savory pastry
- As a pizza or vegan calzone topping
If you air fry the pumpkin whole (method in FAQs), you could also mash it to create pumpkin puree (for pumpkin pie and other bakes).
Storage Instructions
Allow the air fryer pumpkin to cool, and store any leftovers in an airtight container/Ziplock/Stasher bag in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Just note that they’ll soften over time.
You can also freeze them by spreading them flat (not touching) on a baking tray to flash freeze, then transferring them to a Ziplock/Stasher for 3-4 months. Leave them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheat the pumpkin in the air fryer for 4-6 minutes, pan-fry it with a little oil, or use a microwave (though the latter will be soft, not crisp).
More Vegan Pumpkin Recipe
- Pumpkin risotto
- Pumpkin pasta bake
- Easy vegan pumpkin soup
- Pumpkin stuffed pasta shells
- One-pot pumpkin chili
- Pumpkin curry
You might also enjoy browsing this list of 24 easy vegan canned pumpkin recipes!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Air Fryer Pumpkin
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 small pumpkin, peeled and cubed (4 cups)
- ½ tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the olive oil, and seasonings. Mix well and then add the cubed pumpkin. Toss well to coat all the pumpkin cubes evenly.
- Place the pumpkin pieces into the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. Work in batches if the cubes are on top of each other.
- Air fry at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. Open the basket, shake, and air fry for 10 minutes or until soft and roasted.
Notes
- Use a culinary pumpkin: While most ‘carving’ pumpkins are edible, they aren’t as tasty, can be fairly stringy, and have less flesh. So, use an edible variety for the best results.
- Save the seeds and peel: The peel can be turned into crispy chips, and the seeds can be roasted as a snack.
- To save time and effort: You may be able to purchase pre-chopped pumpkin.
- Cut even pieces: Or as even as you can for their shape. This will ensure they air fry evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Spread it in a single layer with little to no overlapping. This ensures the pumpkin ‘roasts’ with caramelized edges. Cook in batches if necessary.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
I’ve never thought of putting pumpkin in an air fryer before, but this was so easy, smelled delicious and so addicitive!
It’s such a great way to enjoy pumpkin!
So easy and delicious!