Air fryer pumpkin: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, ready in a flash!
Air fryer pumpkin is the perfect autumn side dish: easy and quick to prepare, healthy and light, it will win over both adults and children with its irresistible taste and crispy exterior with a soft interior. Kids love it too!
Forget about long oven baking and traditional methods: with the air fryer, pumpkin turns into a golden and flavorful delight in minutes, without sacrificing taste and authenticity. In this recipe, we’ll discover all the secrets for perfect air fryer pumpkin: from choosing the best variety to tips on cutting and seasoning it, to the optimal cooking times and temperatures. Ready to discover how the air fryer can transform pumpkin into a masterpiece of taste and simplicity? Keep reading!
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very economical
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas, Fall, Winter, and Spring
- Energy 48.42 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 5.48 (g) of which sugars 3.75 (g)
- Proteins 1.69 (g)
- Fat 0.63 (g) of which saturated 0.07 (g)of which unsaturated 0.01 (g)
- Fibers 8.35 (g)
- Sodium 194.06 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 200 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- Half yellow pumpkin (about 2.2 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 sprig thyme
- to taste salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Tools
- 1 Air fryer
Steps
Let’s start by cleaning the pumpkin. Rinse it thoroughly under running water to remove any soil residues. Keeping the skin, which will become crispy and flavorful during cooking, cut it in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and inner fibers with a spoon.
Now, cut the pumpkin into slices about half an inch thick, then divide each slice into similar-sized rectangles. Transfer the pumpkin pieces into a large bowl.
Add the fresh (or dried) rosemary and thyme, a pinch of salt, and the extra virgin olive oil to the bowl. Mix well with a spoon, ensuring the pumpkin is well seasoned with spices and oil. Cover the bowl and let the pumpkin rest for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the pumpkin to absorb them. This marinating step will make the pumpkin even more flavorful and aromatic.
After the marinating time, take the basket of your air fryer and line it with a sheet of parchment paper. This will help catch any drips of dressing and keep the fryer clean. Arrange the marinated pumpkin pieces in the basket, being careful not to overlap them too much so they cook evenly. Set the air fryer temperature to 392°F and cook the pumpkin for about 20 minutes. Halfway through, open the basket and gently toss the pumpkin with a spatula, ensuring all sides are golden and crispy.
Once cooked, remove the pumpkin from the air fryer and let it cool slightly. You can serve it directly in the basket for a rustic and informal touch, or arrange it on a nice serving plate. Air fryer pumpkin is a versatile side dish that pairs with many dishes: it’s perfect with roasts, poultry, pork, or sausage, pairs well with baked or grilled fish dishes, creates an interesting contrast with aged or blue cheeses, accompanies rice, quinoa, barley, or farro, and you can add it cold to your mixed salads for a crunchy and autumnal touch.
For a gourmet touch, garnish it with parmesan or fresh sage. For a more intense flavor, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup before serving. If you like it spicy, you can add a pinch of chili powder to the marinade. Enjoy!
Here are some tips for storage, and ideas to vary the air fryer pumpkin recipe:
Storage:
Pumpkin cooked in an air fryer can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
You can also freeze it, after letting it cool completely. In this case, it lasts about 2 months.
Tips:
Choose the right pumpkin: Butternut squash is ideal for this recipe, but you can also use other varieties like Delica or Violina. Cut the pumpkin into uniform pieces: to ensure even cooking.
Do not overload the basket: arrange the pumpkin pieces in a single layer, avoiding overlap.
Check the cooking: cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer and the size of the pumpkin.
Experiment with spices: in addition to rosemary and thyme, you can use paprika, garlic powder, curry, cumin, or ginger.
Variations:
Pumpkin with honey and cinnamon: add a tablespoon of honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to the marinade for a sweet and spicy flavor.
Spicy pumpkin: add a pinch of chili powder or spicy paprika to the marinade.
Pumpkin with garlic and parmesan: add a clove of minced garlic and a sprinkle of grated parmesan to the marinade.
Pumpkin with bacon: wrap the pumpkin pieces in slices of bacon before cooking them in the air fryer.
Pumpkin with pumpkin seeds: add a handful of toasted pumpkin seeds to the cooked pumpkin for a crunchy touch.
With these tips and variations, your air fryer pumpkin will always be a success!
Wine pairing for air fryer pumpkin:
The wine pairing with air fryer pumpkin largely depends on how you cook it and what you pair it with. Here are some general ideas and then some more specific advice:In general:
Aromatic white wines: with hints of tropical fruit, flowers, or aromatic herbs, they go well with the sweetness of the pumpkin and the spices you use to flavor it. Gewürztraminer Sauvignon Blanc
Vermentino
Light and fruity red wines: with soft tannins and good acidity, they balance the softness of the pumpkin and do not overpower its delicate flavor.
Pinot Noir Schiava Lagrein
Considering the pairings:
With white meats: if you pair pumpkin with chicken or turkey, you can choose a structured white wine like Chardonnay or Verdicchio, or a light red like Bardolino.
With red meats: if you serve it with beef or pork, opt for a more robust red like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Sangiovese.
With cheeses: if the pumpkin accompanies blue or aged cheeses, a dessert wine or a fortified wine like Marsala can be an excellent choice.Considering the spices:
Pumpkin with rosemary and thyme: an aromatic white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light red like Pinot Noir.
Pumpkin with cinnamon and honey: a sweet white wine like Moscato d’Asti or a dessert wine.
Spicy pumpkin: a fresh and fruity rosé wine or a light red with good acidity like Lambrusco.
Ultimately, the best pairing depends on your personal tastes! Experiment and find the wine you like best with your air fryer pumpkin.
