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    Seasonal » Recipes » Christmas

    Baked Acorn Squash

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Oct 29, 2019 · Modified: Feb 25, 2021 by Dee

    This easy recipe for Baked Acorn Squash with maple syrup and brown sugar makes a delicious fall side dish that's special enough for Thanksgiving.

    Jump to Recipe -
    baked acorn squash with brown sugar and maple syrup on plate

    Candied acorn squash filled with maple syrup, butter and brown sugar is one of our favorite baked acorn squash recipes. As much as I love savory stuffed acorn squash, this sweet roasted acorn squash is a favorite Thanksgiving side dish, along with easy mashed sweet potatoes, Instant Pot Corn Casserole and Instant Pot mashed potatoes.

    I love how acorn squash looks. I love the shape and the color, so I buy some early in the season, put them in a large wooden bowl and use this as my kitchen table centerpiece until I'm ready to cook the squash.

    It makes a natural, beautiful arrangement, but I just have to remember to cook it! So right before Thanksgiving, when I'm planning my Christmas decorations, I'll take the centerpiece apart and serve it for dinner -- fun, huh?!

    Acorn squash is super easy to prepare, and really, the hardest part is cutting it in half. So I sometimes cheat and have the Hubs cut it for me, and then I do the rest.

    How to make Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar and Maple Syrup

    First, cut the squash in half. Then, scoop out the seeds with a spoon or fork. If you've ever scooped out pumpkin seeds, this part is a breeze!

    scoop seeds out of acorn squash

    A lot of recipes recommend baking the squash with the cut side down first. This softens up the inside before you add anything to it. But, I found an even easier, quicker way to cook acorn squash!

    Cook Acorn Squash in the Microwave

    I cook the acorn squash in the microwave for a few minutes -- just until it's slightly soft inside. Then, I fill the cavity with a little butter, maple syrup, brown sugar and cinnamon.

    uncooked acorn squash with maple, brown sugar and cinnamon

    How Long to Bake Acorn Squash

    It takes about 30 minutes to bake acorn squash in the oven at 375 degrees. The insides are soft, and the tops get a nice golden brown color without being overdone.

    When the squash is done, it's filled with a sweet, caramel-like filling that makes it taste like dessert. Yum.

    baked acorn squash filled with maple syrup and brown sugar on a plate

    How to Cook Acorn Squash in the Air Fryer

    I tried baking the squash in the air fryer, and it was even quicker and easier than the oven!

    Follow the above steps to prepare the squash., and add the filling. No need to precook the squash before filling it! Then, preheat to 360 degrees, and cook for 10 minutes or until tender and golden brown on top.

    I have an oven-type air fryer (Instant Pot Vortex). Cook times may vary among different brands or models.

    acorn squash with maple syrup and brown sugar on fork
    baked acorn squash with maple syrup and brown sugar filling

    I usually cut the squash in half, which makes the sauce spill out, but I scoop it up again and drizzle the sauce over the cut squash, and everyone's happy, especially the kiddos since this is about the only way they eat squash!

    Baked Acorn Squash Recipe

    baked acorn squash with brown sugar and maple syrup on plate

    Baked Acorn Squash

    Published by Dee
    This easy recipe for Baked Acorn Squash with maple syrup and brown sugar takes ordinary squash to an entirely different level and makes it special enough for a Thanksgiving side dish! 
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course side
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 257.35 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 acorn squash cut in half
    • pinch of salt
    • 6 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 12 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 tablespoon butter

    Instructions
     

    • Scoop the seeds out from the center with a large spoon.
    • Microwave the squash for 3 minutes or until slightly soft.
    • Sprinkle the insides with salt, and add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to each squash half.
    • Add some of the cinnamon to each half.
    • Rub the top of each half with butter, and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, or until insides of squash are soft.
    • Optional -- Air fry squash at 360 degrees for 10 minutes or until tender using oven-style air fryer

    Notes

    Tip -- slice a small piece off the skin of the rounded back of the squash so that it doesn't wobble in the baking dish 

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 257.35kcalCarbohydrates: 61.45gProtein: 1.77gFat: 2.11gSaturated Fat: 1.25gCholesterol: 5.02mgSodium: 30.12mgPotassium: 853.75mgFiber: 3.41gSugar: 35.62gVitamin A: 849.2IUVitamin C: 23.7mgCalcium: 128.01mgIron: 1.64mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!
    Baked Acorn Squash filled with butter, brown sugar and maple syrup for Thanksgiving
    easy Baked Acorn Squash with Maple and Brown Sugar

    Recipe has been updated as of October 29, 2019

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ann says

      November 05, 2019 at 2:27 am

      Oh My! I’m definitely saving this for later. This baked acorn squash will make such a perfect fall side dish! I love how it looks — the shape, the color, everything. Plus, the recipe is really affordable and somehow… special. I like that you use maple syrup and brown sugar in the recipe. I’m planning to make this in a couple of days. Really in the mood for something like this. Hope this will make everyone satisfied, especially my kiddos.
      Dee thank you SO MUCH for this treasure and all of your useful tips! I really appreciate it.5 stars

      Reply
    2. James says

      November 04, 2019 at 7:39 am

      Made this for dinner last night! Yummy and the picky eaters approved!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 05, 2019 at 7:39 am

        That's good to know! Thanks so much, James!

    3. Lori says

      October 29, 2019 at 7:11 pm

      The best and easiest way to cook acorn squash. Very clear and detailed prep tips. Excellent for beginners and good refresher recipe for experienced beginner cooks.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 03, 2019 at 11:29 am

        Thank you so very much, Lori!

    4. Beks says

      October 29, 2019 at 6:57 pm

      Score it, now that’s a great idea! A bit hard to do when you first open it, but can be done half way through the baking process.5 stars

      Reply
    5. Krista says

      November 05, 2018 at 7:45 am

      I love this! I have to try this method!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      November 03, 2018 at 8:00 am

      So vibrant, healthy and yummy!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Toni | Boulder Locavore says

      November 02, 2018 at 5:03 am

      My kids will surely love to try this with me!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 02, 2018 at 7:49 am

        My kids love acorn squash this way. 🙂

    8. Melanie Bauer says

      November 01, 2018 at 9:57 pm

      Oh how delicious this recipe looks! I love everything on it, can't wait to try this!5 stars

      Reply
    9. Amanda says

      November 01, 2018 at 7:30 pm

      This is such an interesting recipe. Very easy to follow. I can’t wait to try!!5 stars

      Reply
    10. Taylor W. says

      November 01, 2018 at 3:13 pm

      I always forget about acorn squash! I need to make this recipe soon, looks so delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 02, 2018 at 7:46 am

        Thanks, Taylor. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

    11. Demeter says

      November 01, 2018 at 12:21 pm

      I love how it doesn't have to be a complicated recipe to enjoy such an amazing flavor combiantion. Looks fantastic!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 02, 2018 at 7:45 am

        Thanks so much, Demeter! We love this!

    12. Miz Helen says

      November 19, 2015 at 4:22 am

      Your Baked Acorn Squash looks delicious. Your recipe is awesome, I have pinned it. We really enjoy you sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    13. Dee M says

      November 15, 2015 at 9:37 am

      Thanks. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

      Reply
    14. Dee M says

      November 15, 2015 at 9:36 am

      Thanks so much! It really does taste amazing! 🙂

      Reply
    15. Alia Cherry says

      November 14, 2015 at 7:14 pm

      YUM! cant wait to try- thanks!

      Reply
    16. Heart says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:45 pm

      This looks so GOOD! I like the simplicity of this recipe. It's easy and healthy. And that syrup, indeed, makes it more special.

      Reply

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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