Baked Praline Acorn Squash is a delicious side dish! Crescent-shaped slices, topped w/ caramelized brown sugar, pecans, maple syrup & spices!
If you are searching for a delicious way to prepare acorn squash, may I suggest this recipe? Baked praline acorn squash is an absolutely delicious use of this delicious, hearty “Winter” vegetable, and I am confident you will love it as much as we do!
The basics of this easy recipe are this: Slice squash, brush with a glaze, sprinkle with a praline-type mixture, and then bake. It truly is an easy recipe to follow, and the end result is an amazing tasting side dish you will be proud to serve at any family dinner or feast! Here’s how to make it, step by step:
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How To Prepare The Acorn Squash
Before beginning, preheat your oven to 400°F. Okay… now here we go! Behold… the humble acorn squash (seen below), commonly found in most grocery stores. The first thing you will need to do is cut each squash in half horizontally (NOT from stem to bottom). The skin is fairly thick, so use extreme caution when cutting the squash.
Once cut, remove the seeds (and attached pith), using a large spoon to scoop it out. When the seeds have been removed, cut each half in half again. You will have 4 pieces from each squash (8 pieces total, if preparing recipe as written).
Carefully cut the acorn squash into approximately 1″ slices. This cutting will result in those unique crescent-shaped slices of squash.
Prep The Slices For Baking
Cover two rimmed baking sheets with aluminum foil. Give each a light coating of non-stick baking spray. Arrange the squash slices in a single layer on each baking sheet. Stir olive oil and maple syrup together in a small bowl until combined.
Brush each slice of squash with HALF of this glaze (top surface only), reserving the other half of the glaze for later.
Place the pecan halves and brown sugar in a food processor (or hand-held food chopper). Pulse/process the nuts and brown sugar until the pecans become finely ground. Add salt, black pepper, and the cayenne pepper, and give it a quick pulse to incorporate these ingredients.
Sprinkle HALF of the pecan mixture over the surface of the acorn squash slices, reserving the other half for later.
Ready To Bake!
Once the slices have been covered with maple glaze AND the pecan praline mixture, they’re ready to pop in the oven! Bake at 400°F for 5 minutes, then remove the pans from the oven.
Carefully turn each slice over (use a fork, fingers, or tongs), and repeat process the same as before. Brush the slices with maple glaze, then sprinkle with remaining praline mixture. Place them back into the oven, and continue baking for 20 more minutes.
The baked praline acorn squash should be easily pierced with a fork when done. Some caramelization of the brown sugar/pecan mixture should have occurred, as well. Remove the squash from the oven, and transfer slices (carefully) to a serving platter.
Time To Eat The Baked Praline Acorn Squash
Now it’s time to enjoy the baked praline acorn squash. TIP: Please take note that you do NOT eat the peel on acorn squash. Your family or friends will need to simply run a butter knife around the edge and remove the peel before consuming this veggie dish. It’s EASY to do, because the squash is so tender!
The acorn squash has wonderful flavor, especially due to the addition of the brown sugar/pecan mixture on each slice. Slightly sweet, and slightly nutty, with only a tiny little bit of heat from the cayenne, this veggie dish tastes GREAT!
I hope you enjoy this recipe for baked praline acorn squash. We love it, and the (covered) leftovers will keep in the fridge for several days. Simply reheat any leftovers in the microwave, and you’re good to go for a second round. Yay for leftovers! If you enjoy this recipe, check out my recipe for Roasted Parmesan Acorn Squash. It shares some similarities to this one, but with a SAVORY flavor palette.
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Looking For More VEGGIE SIDE DISH Recipes?
You can find all of my vegetable side dish recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have lots of them, including:
- Maple Cinnamon Butternut Squash
- Cauliflower Mushroom Skillet
- P.F. Chang’s Spicy Green Beans
- Pecan Praline Yams
- Apple Pecan Stuffed Acorn Squash
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Original recipe source: Erin Clarke, at: wellplated.com/praline-caramelized-squash/
Baked Praline Acorn Squash is a delicious side dish! Crescent-shaped slices, topped w/ caramelized brown sugar, pecans, maple syrup & spices!
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 acorn squash , approx. 1½ pounds each
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ cup pecan halves
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place aluminum foil on two rimmed baking sheets. Lightly spray foil with non-stick baking spray.
Cut each squash in half horizontally (NOT from stem to bottom). Skin is thick; use caution when cutting. Remove seeds and pith. Cut each half in half again, resulting in 4 pieces per squash. Cut squash into approx. 1" thick crescent-shaped slices. Arrange slices in a single layer on prepared baking sheets.
Stir olive oil and maple syrup in a small bowl until combined. Brush each slice of squash with HALF of this glaze (top surface only), reserving other half for later.
Place pecans and brown sugar in a food processor (or hand held food chopper). Pulse/process until the pecans become finely ground. Add salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper; pulse or chop just enough to incorporate these ingredients. Sprinkle HALF of pecan mixture over top surface of squash slices, reserving other half for later.
Bake at 400°F for 5 minutes; remove pans from oven. Carefully turn slices over (use fork, spatula, fingers, or tongs). Repeat process, brushing slices with remaining glaze, then sprinkling remaining pecan mixture. Place into oven; bake for 20 more minutes. Squash can be easily pierced with a fork when done (fork-tender), and pecan/brown sugar mix should be slightly caramelized. Remove from oven; transfer slices to serving platter. Serve, and enjoy!
Caloric calculation made based on 6 servings. Depending on the size squash used, it's possible to get 8 servings from the recipe, as written.
TIP: Please take note that you do NOT eat the peel on acorn squash. Simply run a butter knife around the outer edge and remove the peel (discard) before eating.
Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!