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5 from 12 votes

Instant Pot Acorn Squash

Recipe by Amy + Jacky | PressureCookRecipes.com
Learn how to cook Instant Pot Acorn Squash (Pressure Cooker Acorn Squash)! Buttery Sweet & Creamy Acorn Squash with a brush of caramelized maple butter glaze. Super quick & easy, deliciously comforting taste of fall.
Servings 4
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 whole acorn squash , halved & seeded
  • 1 cup (250ml) cold water
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) melted unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) maple syrup (or substitute with 2 tbsp (25g) brown sugar)
  • A pinch salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon (0.3g) nutmeg (optional)
  • Seasoning: salt and black pepper

Equipment

Instructions

  • Prepare Acorn Squash: Rinse and pat dry the acorn squash. With a very sharp knife cut the acorn squash in half. Be careful! With a spoon, scrape out seeds and stringy bits in the acorn squash.
    *Pro Tip: You can save the seeds for later if you want to roast them in the oven.
  • Pressure Cook Acorn Squash: Add 1 cup (250 ml) of cold water and a trivet in Instant Pot. Place the halved & seeded acorn squash on the trivet. Lightly season with a bit of coarse salt. Close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing position.
    Smaller Acorn Squash (13" circumference) - Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 4 minutes, then 10 minutes Natural Release.
    Larger Acorn Squash (17" circumference) - Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 6 - 7 minutes, then 10 minutes Natural Release.
    Open the lid carefully.
  • Make Maple Butter Sauce: Melt 2 tbsp (28g) butter in a microwave or on the stovetop.
    In a small mixing bowl, mix 2 tbsp (30ml) maple syrup, 2 tbsp (28g) melted unsalted butter, a pinch of salt, and ⅛ tsp (0.3g) nutmeg (optional) together. The maple butter sauce will thicken as it cools down. Set aside.
  • Apply Sauce & Serve: Generously apply the maple butter sauce on the acorn squash & serve.
  • Optional - Caramelize Acorn Squash: You can use an oven, toaster oven, Instant Pot Duo Crisp's or Air Fryer Lid for this step.
    Option 1 - Oven/Toaster Oven: Place the acorn squash on an oven tray under the "Broil" function (or the highest temperature setting) for a few minutes until the maple butter sauce is caramelized.
    Option 2 - Air Fryer Lid: Place the air fryer basket with the tray on the middle rack in the Instant Pot. Place the acorn squash on the air fryer tray. Place the air fryer lid on Instant Pot. Press the "Broil" button, set the Temperature to 400°F and Cooking Time to 20 minutes.
    *For Air Fryer Lid: It will take roughly 8 - 11 minutes + preheat time.

Notes

*Adjust Cooking Time: Be sure to adjust the pressure cooking time according to how soft you like your acorn squash & depending on the size of your acorn squash.
*Rate Recipe: If you've tried the recipe, don't forget to Rate the Recipe in the Comments Section. Thank you!
Author: Amy + Jacky
Calories: 121kcal

Nutrition

Calories: 121kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 570IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg