Simple Roasted Delicata Squash (With Air Fryer Option)

Sick of the same old side dishes and sad steamed vegetables? This simple roasted delicata squash recipe will turn any mediocre meal into something extra special. You’ll finally look forward to a savory side once you bake these gourd-geous golden brown and crispy squash slices.

No special equipment or ingredients necessary. All you need is a dear little delicata squash, a knife, an oven, and a little bit of ordinary spice. Steam, slice, season, and roast—that’s the way we like it most!

So scoop up that sassy squash and let’s get started!

Why You Need To Make This Recipe

If you’ve been suspicious of squash in the past, then this is the recipe for you. We’re pretty positive that this scrumptious delicata squash will win you over. And, if you’re still not quite satisfied, here are even more reasons why you should make this uncomplicated roasted recipe.

• Easy to cut and simple to make
• Delicious and highly satisfying
• Nutritious, packed with vitamins and minerals, while also low in calories
• Great way to use up extra squash from the garden or local farmer’s market
• Gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and dairy-free

Tips for Serving Up Your Simple Roasted Squash

While this vegan roasted squash recipe is meant to be simple and stress-free, we also wanted to inspire you with other ideas for baking and serving. Once you feel comfortable cooking with these gorgeous little gourds, you can come up with your own culinary creations.

• So Much Squash, So Little Time – You can use other types of squash for this recipe. Kabocha, acorn, and butternut all work well in this recipe. Steaming time may vary with squashes that are more dense than the delicata, so remember to microwave in 1 minute extra intervals if 4 minutes is not enough and your squash is still very hard.
• Dare To Make a Double Batch – You may find that you (or your family) will gobble up this single squash in one sitting. In that case, microwave as many squash as you wish, cool, prepare, and cut them all before adding to the baking sheets. Each single squash uses approximately one entire baking sheet so, if you have extra sheets, make as much squash as you wish.
• Let’s Get Saucy – Make a terrific tahini sauce to accompany your roasted squash. Add 2 tablespoons of tahini to a small bowl and add ½-1 tablespoon of warm water. Use a fork or whisk to mix well. Drizzle over your squash or add to a small bowl for dipping.
• Spice It Up – When adding your winter squash to the oven, consider sprinkling in a few spices to make it extra special. Flavors that complement this cozy side include: thyme, cumin, chili, smoked paprika, sage, ginger, and cinnamon. Yum!
• No Pain, More Grain – Roasted squash partners perfectly with creamy pastas and whole grains. Serve alongside plant-based macaroni and cheese, vegan risotto, quirky quinoa, or basic brown rice. Lovely, warm, and super filling.

How To Make Simple Roasted Delicata Squash

No need to feel intimidated by baking this lovely little squash. Just take it step by step and you’ll be amazed at how simple it really is. If you’re nervous because you’ve never liked squash in the past, we think you’ll be more than pleasantly surprised by the incredible flavor and texture of this recipe.

1. Preheat the oven. Wash and dry the squash. Cut off the ends.
2. Steam the squash in the microwave for 4 minutes. Cool before cutting.
3. Make ½” slices and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
4. Oil, season, and bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
5. Add tahini sauce, if desired, and enjoy!

Star Ingredient: The Dashing Delicata!

Delicata is such a special style of winter squash. Besides it’s beautiful little bumps and luminous lemon-lime color, it’s got a delicate brown sugar flavor and creamy texture. We also love it because:

• High in fiber
• Good source of vitamins A and C, lutein, potassium, and folate
• Only 80 calories per cup
• Smaller and easier to cut than other squashes
• Low in carbs (if that is something you need to reduce)

What Can I Do With the Seeds? (Scoot Over, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds!)

Can you believe that you can roast delicata squash seeds just like you do with pumpkin seeds? Follow the directions for our roasted pumpkin seeds recipe and just reduce the cooking time to 8-10 minutes, depending on your oven. You’ll know that they’re done when you hear them start to pop and crackle, just like popcorn popping. You’ll love how crisp and delicious they are!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re a complete beginner at baking squash, we’re here for you! It can feel intimidating to cut and cook something unfamiliar, but it’s totally worth it. Here are answers to some common questions, in case you had the same concerns.

I can’t find a delicata squash! Will a different type of squash work in this recipe?

You can use other types of squash for this recipe. Kabocha squash, acorn squash, and butternut quash all work well in this recipe. Steaming time may vary if the squash is more dense than the delicata squash, so microwave in 1 minute extra intervals if 4 minutes is not enough and your squash is still very hard.

Can I air fry delicata squash?

Definitely! Here’s how to do make easy air fryer delicata squash: while you cut the squash into slices, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Lay your squash slices out on a plate or cutting board. Brush with oil and sprinkle with seasonings. Add the slices in a single layer to the basket and air fry at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, flipping the slices over halfway and being careful to check that they are crisp (but not burnt) on the outside. Voila! Air fryer delicata squash!

What if I don’t have a microwave? Can I still make this recipe?

Yes, you can. Another option is to quickly steam the delicata squash in a pot with a steaming rack, in the Instant Pot, or simply leave out the steaming all together. Because the skin of this squash isn’t as thick as others, you can choose not to steam and just roast the slices for a little longer, if needed.

I try to avoid added fat in my diet. Do I need to use the oil when baking the squash?

No worries. You can completely eliminate the oil if you wish or just give the bare minimum of oil spritzes onto the tray of squash slices. The squash won’t be quite as crispy or golden when it’s cooked, but it will still be delicious.

Storing Your Delicata Squash Leftovers

Any leftover cooked squash will last about 3-5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. You can also freeze any remaining simple roasted squash in a freezer-safe covered container or bag for up to 4-6 months.

More Roasted Vegan Recipes to Try

• Perfect Sweet Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
• Sheet Pan Roasted Peas
• Simple Sweet Roasted Chickpeas
• Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash
• Roasted Asparagus With Garlic, Tomatoes, and Tahini Drizzle
• Savory Roasted Chickpeas
• Roasted Beetroot Hummus
• Oven Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
• Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Pilaf

Equipment You’ll Need

There’s not a whole lot you’ll need to make this ravishing recipe. All that’s truly necessary is an microwave, knife, oven, and baking sheet.

• Measuring Spoons
• Oven
• Microwave
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board
• Pastry or Silicone Brush (optional for oil application)
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat
• Baking Sheet
• Spatula

Simple Roasted Delicata Squash (With Air Fryer Option)

Author: Gina House

5 from 8 votes

This simple roasted delicata squash recipe is so scrumptious, you just have to give it a try! It's easy to make anytime and serves as a tasty side dish during the autumn months when squash are plentiful. This dish is warm, nutty, and truly flavorful.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 1 -2

Ingredients

• 1 medium Delicata squash, around 6-8 inches in length
• ½ tablespoon vegetable oil or oil spray, or oil of your choice
• ½ teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Wash the outside of the squash.
• Cut the ends off of the squash. Place the squash into the microwave and cook for 4 minutes on high (depends on the power of your microwave). The squash should be slightly squishy, but not fully cooked.
• Let the squash cool for at least 5 minutes before cutting. Once the squash is cool, use a sharp knife to cut the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out all of the seeds.
• Cut the squash into ½” slices so that you have semi-circle (smiley) shapes.
• Lay the squash slices in a single layer onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
• Brush or spray the pieces with oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the outside looks crisp and golden, gently flipping them over halfway through the cooking process. Once done, use a spatula to remove the slices from the baking sheet. Serve with tahini or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

• Tahini Sauce – Add 2 tablespoons of tahini to a small bowl and add ½-1 tablespoon of warm water. Use a fork or whisk to mix well. Drizzle over your squash or add to a small bowl for dipping.
• Oil-free Version – You can completely eliminate the oil if you wish or just give the bare minimum of oil spritzes onto the tray of squash slices.
• Air Fryer Method – While you cut the squash into slices, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Lay your slices out on a plate or cutting board. Brush with oil and sprinkle with seasonings. Add the slices in a single layer to the basket and cook at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, flipping the slices over halfway and being careful to check that they are crisp (but not burnt) on the outside.
• Squash Substitutions – You can use other types of squash for this recipe. Kabocha, acorn, and butternut all work well in this recipe. Steaming time may vary if the squash is more dense than the Delicata squash, so microwave in 1 minute extra intervals if 4 minutes is not enough and your squash is still very hard.
• Gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and nut-free

Nutrition

Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 1185mg | Potassium: 1586mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 6193IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 3mg

Course Side

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer recipes, delicata squash recipe, roasted delicata squash

Roasted squash photos by JJ Steele for World of Vegan. If you try this simple roasted squash recipe, let us know what you think by leaving a comment and rating below. Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for even more vegan recipe inspiration.