Pumpkin Fries (Air Fryer Recipe!)
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Pumpkin Fries combine your favorite fall flavors with your favorite snack food — french fries! Some cumin, garlic powder, and smoked paprika make these extra savory, but you could just as easily go sweet instead. They’re a great way to bring something different to the table and make the best of the fall harvest!
Pumpkin Fries
After making fries out of apples, zucchini, and even polenta, I knew I had to try something really out of the box… and that’s just how this pumpkin fries air fryer recipe came to be!
Like other types of squash, pie pumpkins are lightly sweet but just as delicious with savory seasonings.
All you need is a little olive oil and your favorite spices to transform a little squash into big flavor! It’s such a refreshing twist when you’re overloaded with dessert recipes.
Serve these in place of the usual veggie sides when the weather gets cooler.
And stock up on those cute little pumpkins, because you’ll want to make these well into the wintertime too!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Pie Pumpkin – These are the same small, slightly sweet pumpkins you would use to make pie filling.
But don’t get the tiny ones for this recipe or you won’t get very many pumpkin fries.
If they aren’t in season, use butternut squash instead! - Olive Oil – My favorite for cooking. I find that I get crispier and more flavorful fries when using at least a tablespoon, but you can certainly skip it if you prefer.
- Spices – Cumin and smoked paprika add a little heat, while garlic powder makes everything taste better. Don’t forget the salt and pepper too!
Feel free to use your favorite combination of spices — up to 1 tablespoon total — or even go more of a sweet route with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
Some Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese would also be delish!
Tips and Tricks for Making Perfect Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries
- Don’t rush the prep.
Make sure to clean and dry the pumpkin thoroughly, remove every last seed and stringy bit, and peel off all of the skin.
It’s easiest to remove the skin after the squash is sliced — use a knife or your fingers instead of gunking up a vegetable peeler.
Finally, keep the slices at an even thickness and avoid having the ends too thin or pointy. Any thin spots will char and burn really easily.
- Cook in batches.
As with any air fryer recipe, there needs to be space around the food for the hot air to circulate.
Don’t fill up the basket too full. Instead, spread the pumpkin fries in a single layer and flip them halfway through cooking.
- Get the crispiest results.
Pat the slices dry really well with a paper towel before coating them with oil. Be sure to season them with salt before air frying to help draw out starch and moisture.
Then, season air fryer pumpkin fries with more salt after they’ve cooked for flavor.
You can also add up to 2 teaspoons of cornstarch to the spices for a really crispy coating. Mix it in well before adding the oil so it doesn’t clump.
Prep Ahead
- Wash, dry, and remove seeds from pumpkin
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Air Fryer – Different brands and sizes may require different cooking times, so be familiar with your model and make adjustments as needed.]
- Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
- Mixing Bowl – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- Tongs – I love this set of 3, and I use every pair of them. They are so handy and grip amazingly well!
Serving Suggestions
Just like regular or sweet potato fries, air fryer pumpkin fries taste great with your favorite dipping sauces!
Pair ketchup or ranch dressing with savory seasonings or honey if you go a little more sweet. Chipotle lime mayo would play really well with the cumin and smoked paprika, while honey mustard or Chick-Fil-A sauce would be tasty too.
As far as meals go, serve pumpkin fries the same way you would any other fry.
I like to really bring out the fall flavors with smoked turkey legs or chicken quarters and some classic Thanksgiving sides.
But these would also go well with turkey sliders or a hearty salad!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
These are best eaten hot and fresh, but you could warm them back up later in the day if they get cold. Return pumpkin fries to the air fryer and heat for 3-5 minutes at 375°F.
Leftovers will keep for a few days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container, but they won’t crisp up again like when they were cooked fresh.
Might as well make a new batch whenever you want some!
Pumpkin Fries Air Fryer FAQ
Cut off the base so it sits flat on your cutting board, then slice straight down through the center where the stem is (or would be).
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy bits from the middle, then slice each half into thinner pieces. You can start with wedges and break those down smaller, or you can simply slice each half like you would a melon.
Don’t forget to remove the outer peel as well. And if your pumpkin is on the larger size, you can cut each slice in half to make smaller pieces.
Slightly larger winter squash would work, but avoid the larger carving pumpkins you’d get for jack-o-lanterns. Those tend to be stringy and more watery, meaning your fries will be a bit mushy.
Look for anything labeled “pie” or “baking” pumpkin and you’ll be good to go!
They should be slightly browned and crispy on the outside, but soft and fluffy on the inside — just like any good French fry!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Pumpkin Fries (Air Fryer Recipe!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium pie pumpkin, not very small
- 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or more if needed
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F according to manufacturer instructions. (Mine was for 4minutes) Cosori 5.8 quart
- While the air fryer is preheating: Wash and dry the pumpkin. Cut the pumpkin in half. Cut out the tops and scoop out the seeds.
- Cut each half into ½ inches -1 inch slices and carefully peel off the skins.
- Use a paper towel to pat the pumpkin slices dry.
- In a large bowl combine the slices, oil, and spices (or you can use a zip lock bag for this). Massage the pumpkin to ensure they are coated entirely. However you can add more seasonings once fries are cooked, especially salt.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, in batches, arrange fries in the basket in one single layer and air fry for 15 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through.
- The fries should be crispy and cooked through. If by this time fries are not crispy, fry extra minutes. If fries are cut too thin or the ends are too narrow they will get charred rather quickly. The end result: the exterior of fries are slightly browned and crispy, softer texture on the inside.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper right after cooking. Enjoy with dipping sauces.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2024
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