Baked Acorn Squash Recipe (2024)

October 25, 2018

  • 5 from 8 votes
  • 7 comments
    • #Breakfast
    • #Dessert
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Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar and Butter is one of our favorite fall treats. This easy baked squash can be eaten for breakfast or for dinner as a dessert. The butter makes theroasted squash tender, while the brown sugar adds caramelization and a pleasant nuttiness.

Baked Acorn Squash Recipe (1)

How to serve the Baked Acorn Squash

My kids like to sprinkle their baked squash with some chocolate chips (while the squash is still warm) and nuts (walnuts and pecans are best), while I like it simple just with whatever it was baked with. If you’re a fan of cinnamon you can add a sprinkling with the brown sugar before baking, or right before eating.

Baked Acorn Squash Recipe (2)

Cooking Acorn Squash in the Microwave

When you’re pressed for time but still want some baked acorn squash goodness, don’t fret! Microwave the squash side down on a plate covered for about 12 minutes, then brush with butter, sprinkle with sugar and finish cooking it by microwaving for another several minutes. And there you have it – Baked Acorn Squash, just faster!

It would not get caramelized, but hey, you win some, you lose some 😉 Enjoy!

How to Cut Acorn Squash

  • To help stabilize the squash as you cut it, you can place a ring made out of a kitchen towel under the bottom of the squash, or just place it on a cutting board.
  • Use a sharp knife, otherwise, with a dull knife, the squash might slip as you struggle to cut through it and cause you to cut yourself with a knife.
  • Rock the knife back and forth as you go through the squash.
  • Once cut in half remove the seeds and discard.
  • Use a sharp paring knife to scorethe squash in a criss-cross pattern.

Baked Acorn Squash Recipe (3)

How to Bake the Squash

  • Brush the inside of the squash with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. If the squash is unstable make a nest or a ring out of foil and place it on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Set the squash halves inside the rings. Place the baking sheet with squash in the preheated to 400 F oven and bake for 1hour or until the squash is tender and pierces easy.

Baked Acorn Squash Recipe (4)

Other BAKED SQUASH recipes

  • Acorn Squash with Walnuts and Cranberry
  • White Chocolate Orange and Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash
  • Acorn squash with Apples and Oat Crumble

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Baked Acorn Squash

Baked Acorn Squash Recipe (5)

5 from 8 votes

Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar and Butter is a simple and easy way to cook squash. Serve it with chopped walnuts and more brown sugar.

Author: Marina | Let the Baking Begin

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked acorn squash, baked squash

Calories: 330 kcal

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

How to cut acorn squash

  1. Make a ring out of a kitchen towel and place the acorn squash inside. Now with a sharp knife cut the squash in half, rocking the knife back and forth to help it go through easier. Remove and discard the seeds.

How to Bake Acorn Squash

  1. Score the inside of the squash in a criss-cross pattern about every 1 inch. Brush it with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. Place the acorn squash halves on a rimmed baking sheet. If the squash is not very stable, you can help stabilize them by making a "nest" out of aluminum foil then placing the acorn squash halves inside.

  2. Bake the squash in a preheated to 400F oven for about 1 hour or until the squash is soft and easily pierced with a fork. Remove to individual plates and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Baked Acorn Squash

Amount Per Serving

Calories 330Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Saturated Fat 10g63%

Cholesterol 45mg15%

Sodium 165mg7%

Potassium 779mg22%

Carbohydrates 46g15%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 23g26%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 1325IU27%

Vitamin C 23.7mg29%

Calcium 96mg10%

Iron 1.7mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Baked Acorn Squash Recipe (6)

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Marina | Let the Baking Begin

Baked Acorn Squash Recipe (7)

Welcome to Let the Baking Begin! I'm Marina and my love and passion for eating only the most delicious foods drive me to share that love here on Let the Baking Begin (since 2009). With over 20 years of experience in the kitchen, you know the recipes are tested and retested until perfect. I'm so happy to have you here. Enjoy! Read more...

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  • Carolyn

    Question; When microwaving on a plate, cut side down, you say covered. Do you mean cover with a bowl or plastic wrap?

    · Reply

  • Michelle

    This was a tasty recipe. Very easy to follow.

    · Reply

    • Marina | Let the Baking Begin

      Thank you Michelle!

      · Reply

  • Amy

    To stabilize my squash in baking dish, I cut a small slice of the rind off on the back side of each slice so it sits flat in the dish.

    · Reply

  • Alisa

    In the text portion of the recipe, you say to bake at 400F, but in the printable recipe, you say to bake at 350F. Which would be better?

    · Reply

    • Marina | Let the Baking Begin

      Hi Alisa, 400F is the temp to get the best results.

      · Reply

  • Gigi

    I cut the squash across rather than lengthwise, add a T of butter and then fill the cavity with maple syrup. It’s really good, too.

    · Reply

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FAQs

How long does it take to bake acorn squash at 350? ›

1. Place squash halves, cut sides down, in a baking dish. 2. Bake in a 350°F oven 45 to 50 minutes or until tender.

How do you know when acorn squash is cooked? ›

You'll know when the squash is done when you can easily insert a fork in the flesh. You want it tender, yet not mushy. If the squash is already cut in half, you can easily test if it is done by sticking a fork in the flesh of the squash. If it's fork-tender, it's done cooking and ready to eat.

Do you eat the skin of baked acorn squash? ›

It's definitely OK to eat squash skin,” Rayna Joyce, vegetable production manager at Bread and Butter Farm in Shelburne, Vermont, told me. “Some (winter) squash have really delicate skins and they become tender when cooked. You can bake them and eat the whole thing.”

What temperature do you cook squash in the oven? ›

Butternut squash, cut into 1-inch cubes, should be perfectly roasted after about 25 to 35 minutes in an oven heated to 400 degrees F. When it's done, the squash should be lightly browned and easily pierced with a fork.

Is there a difference between roasting and baking squash? ›

Most recipes say to either bake or roast butternut squash—but what's the difference? While both cooking methods will turn the tough, raw gourd into a soft, sweet ingredient, roasting butternut squash is the more common process for achieving browned, crispy edges and a creamy interior.

Is overripe acorn squash safe to eat? ›

A squash that has turned orange is over-ripe, but that doesn't necessarily mean it has gone bad. If it's no longer firm to touch, don't use it. If you're unsure, cut the squash open to take a look at the flesh and seeds. Warning signs to look for are dull flesh and seeds that are slimy and gray.

Can you eat skin of acorn squash? ›

Acorn Squash: Whether cut into slices or stuffed and baked whole, acorn squash skin is totally tasty. When roasted, the skin becomes soft enough to eat by the forkful, For those who prefer it skin-free, the meat separates from the peel easily after cooking.

Which is healthier acorn or butternut squash? ›

Try Other Winter Squashes

For example: Acorn squash: It has less vitamin A than butternut but provides even more fiber (9 grams per cup) and potassium (896 mg). Pumpkin: This squash has beta carotene and also contains more than twice as much alpha carotene as butternut squash.

How healthy is acorn squash? ›

This squash has a lot of antioxidants, which can boost your immunity and help your body to fight off certain diseases. Acorn squash contains antioxidants like vitamin C that help strengthen bones and blood vessels. It also has vitamin A, which helps improve the health of your lungs, heart and other vital organs.

Is it OK to eat a whole acorn squash? ›

Acorn squash is easily recognizable by its ridges and small, round shape. When cooked, the flesh is sweet. Also, you can eat the skin–with roasted or baked acorn squash, the skin turns tender and is easily pierced just a fork. Acorn squash, simply prepared, makes a wonderful side dish.

How long do you keep squash in the oven? ›

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the squash on a sheet pan and drizzle with the olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss well. Arrange the squash in one layer and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the squash is tender, turning once with a metal spatula.

What temperature do you put squash on? ›

Your large butternut squash halves should be perfectly baked after about 90 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. If you're using a small or medium squash, adjust the bake time.

How do you know when squash is done in the oven? ›

The squash is done when tender.

The squash is ready when you can easily pierce a fork through the flesh all the way to the peel. The flesh will also separate easily into spaghetti-like strands.

What temperature should squash be cured at? ›

Curing. After harvesting, cure winter squash (except for the acorn types) at a temperature of 80 to 85°F and a relative humidity of 80 to 85 percent. Curing helps to harden the squash skins and heal any cuts and scratches.

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