Spiced pumpkin slices in the air fryer are a healthy and delicious side dish that combines the naturally sweet flavor of pumpkin with a mix of flavorful spices. The air fryer is an ideal appliance to achieve a crispy exterior and soft interior using very little oil, making it a lighter choice compared to traditional frying. This cooking method helps retain the nutritional properties of the pumpkin, such as vitamins A and C, minerals, and fiber, while reducing overall calorie intake. Spiced pumpkin is perfect as a side dish, appetizer, or even a fall snack.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Fall, Winter
Ingredients for Spiced Pumpkin Slices in Air Fryer:
- 1/2 delica pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- to taste fine salt
- to taste black pepper
- to taste dried sage
- to taste dried rosemary
Tools for Spiced Pumpkin Slices in Air Fryer:
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Knife
- 1 Spoon
Steps for Preparing and Cooking Spiced Pumpkin Slices:
Clean the pumpkin well with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly, then cut it in half (we used only half a pumpkin for this recipe, ideal for 2 people).
Remove the seeds and fibers with a spoon, then cut it into slices 0.4 to 0.6 inches thick; do not cut thinner as the slices would tend to dry out too much during cooking.
Place the slices on the air fryer rack (if you have a small 4-liter model, two batches are necessary), salt, and pepper them, then add dried sage and dried rosemary, and spray with extra virgin olive oil.
Cook at 356°F for about 20 minutes, once cooked they should be golden, soft inside, and crispy outside.
Serve the spiced pumpkin slices with a meat or fish second course.
They can be stored for 1-2 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container; before consuming, you can reheat them for a few minutes in the air fryer to regain their crispiness.
Tips:
You can flavor the pumpkin with:
thyme, oregano, cumin, turmeric, hot paprika, curry, chili pepper.
Or with a mix of: cinnamon, chili pepper, and paprika, or with rosemary or thyme and garlic powder.
