FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love My Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Cut Acorn Squash For Roasting
• How To Cook Acorn Squash
• My Recipe Tips
• Common Questions
• Flavor Variations
• Storage Instructions
• Serving Ideas
• More Easy Winter Squash Recipes
• Tools I Recommend
• Roasted Acorn Squash (Easy Recipe) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

This roasted acorn squash recipe was one of my first winter squash recipes I ever learned how to make many years ago, and it’s still one of my favorites. Baked acorn squash is similar to roasting a spaghetti squash , a sweet kabocha squash , or butternut squash , but adds a natural sweetness to your savory fall and winter meals. If you’re looking for a comforting and healthy side dish for autumn, this recipe is timeless.

Why You’ll Love My Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

• Sweet and savory with a hint of maple
• Tender and slightly caramelized
• Prep in just 5 minutes
• On the table in around 30 minutes
• Perfect healthy fall side dish

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for baking acorn squash, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Acorn Squash – Look for squash that feels heavy for its size with a firm skin. This recipe uses two acorn squashes, but you could easily divide it in half and make just one squash.
• Olive Oil – This helps the seasonings stick, but the more important part is it helps the squash caramelize. Don’t skimp! You can use avocado oil instead if you like, though.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – For simple seasoning. See other seasoning ideas below.
• Maple Syrup – This is optional, if you want a sweet finish to your roasted acorn squash. I like to use Wholesome Yum sugar-free maple syrup . I created it because I’m passionate about giving people natural ingredient options that taste great and help them reduce sugar. But, you could use regular maple syrup if that works for you, or omit it altogether. Some people prefer to add brown sugar instead.
• Butter – Also optional, but I recommend adding butter at the end for a rich flavor and buttery texture. You can also use ghee if you like.

How To Cut Acorn Squash For Roasting

1. Cut in half. Slice the acorn squash in half lengthwise, in the direction from stem to tip. The easiest way to do this is to run the knife along a central ridge, then continue towards the tip and stem. Scoring before slicing can make this easier if your squash has a particularly tough skin.
2. Remove the seeds. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and any stringy bits. (You can discard them, but you can also clean and roast them!)

VARIATION: Cut acorn squash slices instead!

To do this, cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Place one half cut side down, then slice downward, crosswise, into 1-inch-thick half moons. (See my delicata squash recipe for a visual — you can cut acorn squash the same way.)

Roasted acorn squash cooks a bit faster if you slice it like this, but it’s more work upfront.

How To Cook Acorn Squash

This section shows how to bake acorn squash, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Season the squash. Line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, or leave it bare if it has a good non-stick surface. Drizzle the inside of both halves with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Place on the prepared sheet pan, cut side down.

1. Roast until almost tender. Roast acorn squash in the oven, until almost tender when poked with a fork or knife. (If you don’t plan to add maple syrup, just roast until tender.)
2. Add maple syrup (optional) and finish roasting. Remove the squash from the oven and flip it over. Drizzle with maple syrup, return to the oven (cut side up), and continue roasting until tender.
3. Serve with butter. Remove the roasted acorn squash from the oven and place a pat of butter inside each half. It will start to melt, and you can mash it with the squash flesh when eating it. So good!

My Recipe Tips

This dish is very easy to make and practically foolproof, but having made this roasted acorn squash recipe at least a dozen times, I’ve discovered a few tips over the years:

• Use a bare pan for maximum browning. Using a bare pan when cooking acorn squash allows for better caramelization and browning. However, it’s the most annoying to clean up, so you can also use foil for a result that’s pretty close. It doesn’t caramelize as much with parchment paper, and tends to take longer.
• Roast cut side down. You can roast cut side up if you like, but cut side down makes the squash more caramelized and less dry. That’s why I flip it over only near the end, just to contain the maple syrup.
• Broil if needed. The squash usually browns enough at 425 degrees F when baked cut side down, but if you want it darker, you can place under the broiler for a few minutes to brown more.

Common Questions

• Can you eat acorn squash skin? Yes, the skin of acorn squash is edible, and it gets soft enough to chew when roasted. However, you can choose not to eat it if it’s too tough for you.
• How long to bake acorn squash? Bake acorn squash in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until tender and caramelized. The time will vary depending on the size.
• What does acorn squash taste like? Roasted acorn squash has a mildly sweet and nutty flavor, with a tender, moist, and firm texture. Its taste is somewhat similar to butternut squash or sweet potatoes .

Flavor Variations

Acorn squash recipes don’t need any fancy seasonings, as this veggie has so much flavor on its own. But if you want to change it up, here are some other tasty ideas:

• Herbs: Sprinkle with dried herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, sage, or Italian seasoning before roasting. You can try fresh herbs too, but they fall off more easily, since the squash roasts cut side down.
• Fall Spiced: Add a touch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg (or use my pumpkin pie spice) for a warm, comforting fall flavor.
• Garlic Parmesan: For a savory twist, season with garlic powder at the same time as the salt and pepper. Top with grated or shredded parmesan cheese after baking, or in the last few minutes of baking.
• Chili Lime: Give your roasted acorn squash a zesty kick by seasoning it with chili powder and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
• Stuffed: Follow my stuffed acorn squash recipe for a full meal.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. I like to make acorn squash soup with them if I have a lot, or toss them into my butternut squash salad or fall salad if it’s not much.
• Reheat: Acorn squash recipes are pretty moist to begin with, so they are fine to reheat in the microwave. But, I think reheating in the oven at 350 degrees F tastes even better.
• Freeze: To freeze raw squash, peel, seed, and slice it, then freeze for up to 12 months. For roasted acorn squash, cool completely and store in an airtight container or zip lock bag for up to 6-8 months.

Serving Ideas

Baked acorn squash makes a quick and simple side dish to just about any healthy dinner . If you aren’t sure what to make as your main course, here are some ideas:

• Chicken – For an easy weeknight meal, make Crock Pot chicken thighs or some simple pan seared chicken breasts .
• Seafood – Pair this veggie with juicy bacon wrapped shrimp (my daughter’s favorite — the glaze is irresistible!). It also goes well with quick and easy air fryer cod for a no-fuss meal.
• Beef – Try a tender rump roast recipe with the squash, or a quicker sirloin steak .
• Pork – The sweet flavors of this acorn squash recipe pair perfectly with tender air fryer pork chops or juicy pork steak .
• Holiday Dishes – Roasted acorn squash is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas , and unlike your other holiday recipes, it doesn’t require much effort. Try it with a spatchcock turkey for a crowd, Cornish hens or Instant Pot turkey breast for a small gathering, or baked lamb chops for something in between.
• Other Sides – You can definitely serve this dish as your only side, but I like to have something green on my plate. 😉 Green beans almondine or a simple kale salad work well with this dish.

More Easy Winter Squash Recipes

Do you love winter squash as much as I do? Try some of these other easy winter squash recipes next:

Tools I Recommend

• Baking Sheet – I love this baking sheet for roasting acorn squash (and other veggies), because it browns them nicely and the nonstick surface lasts a long time.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 2 medium Acorn squash (~2 lb each) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 3/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 2 tbsp Maple syrup (optional; can use zero sugar maple syrup or omit altogether) ▢
• 2 tbsp Butter (optional) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Prepare a medium baking sheet by lining it with foil or parchment paper, or you can leave it bare if it’s a good non-stick surface. (If using a bare pan or lining with foil, brush lightly with oil. This is not necessary with parchment paper.)
2. Slice the acorn squash in half lengthwise, from stem to tip. (The easiest way to do this is to start along a ridge in the middle, then work toward the tip and the stem from there. It can also help to score where you plan to cut before slicing.) Scoop out the seeds. Place the squash on the baking sheet, cut side up.
3. Drizzle the open side of both halves with olive oil. (The amount may seem like a lot, but is ideal for roasting and you won’t get as much browning if you use less.) Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Flip the squash over, cut side down. (You can roast cut side up if you like, but cut side down makes it more caramelized and less dry.)
4. Roast acorn squash in the oven for 20-30 minutes , until the squash is almost tender when poked with a fork or knife, but there is some resistance. (If skipping the optional step below, continue roasting for 5-10 more minutes , until tender.)
5. Optional step: When the squash is 5-10 minutes away from being done, remove from the oven and flip it over cut side up. Drizzle with maple syrup. Return to the oven (this time cut side up) and continue roasting until tender. Alternatively, you can just add the maple syrup when you serve it.
6. Remove the squash from the oven. Place 1/2 tablespoon of butter inside each squash half, if desired.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 roasted acorn squash half

Nutrition info does not include optional maple syrup or butter.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Fall Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Roasted Acorn Squash

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Roasted Acorn Squash (Easy Recipe)

The perfect roasted acorn squash recipe - easy & caramelized! Just bake acorn squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a hint of maple syrup.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/roasted-acorn-squash/

Ingredients

• 2 medium Acorn squash (~2 lb each)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 3/4 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Maple syrup (optional; can use zero sugar maple syrup or omit altogether)
• 2 tbsp Butter (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Prepare a medium baking sheet by lining it with foil or parchment paper, or you can leave it bare if it’s a good non-stick surface. (If using a bare pan or lining with foil, brush lightly with oil. This is not necessary with parchment paper.)
2. Slice the acorn squash in half lengthwise, from stem to tip. (The easiest way to do this is to start along a ridge in the middle, then work toward the tip and the stem from there. It can also help to score where you plan to cut before slicing.) Scoop out the seeds. Place the squash on the baking sheet, cut side up.
3. Drizzle the open side of both halves with olive oil. (The amount may seem like a lot, but is ideal for roasting and you won’t get as much browning if you use less.) Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Flip the squash over, cut side down. (You can roast cut side up if you like, but cut side down makes it more caramelized and less dry.)
4. Roast acorn squash in the oven for 20-30 minutes , until the squash is almost tender when poked with a fork or knife, but there is some resistance. (If skipping the optional step below, continue roasting for 5-10 more minutes , until tender.)
5. Optional step: When the squash is 5-10 minutes away from being done, remove from the oven and flip it over cut side up. Drizzle with maple syrup. Return to the oven (this time cut side up) and continue roasting until tender. Alternatively, you can just add the maple syrup when you serve it.
6. Remove the squash from the oven. Place 1/2 tablespoon of butter inside each squash half, if desired.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 roasted acorn squash half

Nutrition info does not include optional maple syrup or butter.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Fall Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)