Instant Pot Acorn Squash

What is Acorn Squash?

Acorn Squash is a winter squash that is shaped like an acorn! Compared to other winter squashes, it’s relatively smaller in size.

The most common type of acorn squash has distinctive exterior ridges on its thick, tough, & dark green skin, sometimes with bright orange patches.

The sweet yellow-orange flesh tastes somewhat similar to butternut squash, but it’s slightly more fibrous and stringy.

Due to its tough skin, it’s very common to bake or roast acorn squash for pasta, rice, risotto, or served as a side dish. But acorn squash can also be sauteed or steamed. Plus, you can toast the squash seeds to eat!

You can make savory or sweet dishes with acorn squash such as stuffed acorn squash, mashed acorn squash, acorn squash curry, acorn squash risotto…etc.

Acorn squash is very nutritious, low in calories yet packed with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

Time for cooking Acorn Squash in Instant Pot!

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Acorn Squash

Here are the few simple ingredients for cooking acorn squash in Instant Pot:

Tools for Instant Pot Acorn Squash

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
• Optional: Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
• Pyrex Measuring Cups
• Instant Pot Trivet or
• Mixing Bowl
• Silicone Basting Brush

Prepare Acorn Squash

First, rinse and pat dry the acorn squash.

Then, with a very sharp knife cut the acorn squash in half.

*Pro Tip: Acorn squash’s skin is a bit hard to cut in at first, so be careful! If necessary, you can stabilize the acorn squash by forming a ring with a kitchen towel at the bottom.

Finally, with a spoon, scrape out seeds and stringy bits in the acorn squash.

*Pro Tip: You can save the acorn squash seeds for later if you want to roast them in the oven.

Pressure Cook Acorn Squash

First, add 1 cup (250 ml) of cold water and a trivet in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Then, place the halved & seeded acorn squash in Instant Pot on the trivet.

Lightly season acorn squash with a bit of coarse salt.

Close the Instant Pot lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing position.

Pressure Cooking Method:

• For Smaller Acorn Squash (13″ circumference) – Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 4 minutes, then 10 minutes Natural Release.
• For Larger Acorn Squash (17″ circumference) – Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 6 – 7 minutes, then 10 minutes Natural Release.

*Note – 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.

After 10 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning Venting Knob to Venting Position.

Once the Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.

Make Maple Butter Sauce

While the acorn squash is pressure cooking, let’s make the spoon-licking tasty maple butter sauce!

First, 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. 

You can sneak in a little taste test here…yum!! 😀

The delicious maple butter sauce should thicken as it cools down. Then, set aside the yummy sauce.

Apply Sauce & Serve Acorn Squash

Your pressure cooked acorn squash in Instant Pot is fully cooked at this point.

Set on a serving plate, then generously apply the yummy maple butter sauce on the acorn squash.

The Instant Pot Acorn Squash is ready to be served!

If you want to kick your acorn squash up a notch, you can caramelize the maple butter acorn squash a bit (see instructions in the next step). It will taste a bit better. 🙂

Optional: Caramelize Acorn Squash in Oven/Air Fryer

*Note: You can use an oven, toaster oven, Instant Pot Duo Crisp or Instant Pot 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 (as shown in the photo below).

Now, layer the acorn squash on the air fryer tray in Instant Pot.

Then, place the air fryer lid on the Instant Pot Duo Crisp.

• Air Frying Method: Press the “Broil” button, set the Temperature to 400°F, and Cooking Time to 20 minutes.

*Note: It will take roughly 8 – 11 minutes + preheat time. You can open the lid to check the progress.

Enjoy Creamy Sweet Instant Pot Acorn Squash!

More Instant Pot Squash Recipes

Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

Instant Pot Butternut Squash