Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries

↓ Jump to Recipe

Sweet and salty with caramelized and crispy edges, these Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries are a delicious alternative to traditional fries and the perfect way to change up your fall and Thanksgiving side dishes! All you need is a pie pumpkin, some oil and a simple seasoning mix of salt, garlic powder and smoked paprika. These fries are also perfect for snacking served with my dairy-free chipotle sauce or no buttermilk ranch dressing!

Pumpkin fries served on a platter with a serving fork and salt and parsley on the side.

Quick Look: Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries

⏱ Prep Time: 20 minutes
👩🏻‍🍳 Air Frying Time: 30 minutes (15 minutes per batch)
⏳ Total Time: 50 minutes
🍽 Servings: 8
⚡ Calories: 108 per serving
🌱 Diet: vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free
🔥 Flavor/texture: sweet and salty; tender with caramelized, crispy edges.
👌 Difficulty: easy; just takes a bit of time to peel and slice the pumpkin.
❤️ Why you'll love: only 5 ingredients needed; great way to change up your fall and holiday side dishes.

SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON

Add us as a trusted site on Google

Why you need to try pumpkin fries!

If you're looking for an alternative to french fries, these pumpkin fries are worth a try! They won't get as crispy as traditional potato fries, but they're a delicious option and fun way to enjoy seasonal pumpkin. Once air fried, the texture is more like these air fryer turnip fries - tender with caramelized edges.

What I love about this recipe is that you don't need to air fry the pumpkin fries in a single layer. Yes, if you overcrowd the air fryer, they will steam instead of air fry. But, I found that overlapping them slightly and shaking the basket a few times to rotate them around, had the same results as if I had air fried them in a single layer.

This recipe makes a large batch, so it's perfect for feeding a crowd, and you can half the recipe for a smaller side dish or snack.

Table of Contents

Quick Look: Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries
Why you need to try pumpkin fries!
Ingredient notes
How to cut a whole pumpkin into fries
How to air fry pumpkin fries
Storage and reheating
Expert tips
Air fryer pumpkin fries FAQs
More air fryer side dish recipes
📖 Recipe

Ingredient notes

Pumpkin - I used a 4 pound pie pumpkin for this recipe but you can also use 2 smaller pumpkins. I've also made this recipe with Jack Be Little pumpkins, but prefer pie pumpkin. I don't recommend using a carving pumpkin for this recipe as the flesh is stringy and watery.
Oil - Just a little olive oil helps get those crispy, caramelized edges on the fries.
Seasonings - I like to keep it simple with salt, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Feel free to change it up with your favorite spices and/or dried herbs. Sometimes I add dried oregano and cumin, like I do with my sweet potato wedge fries.

How to cut a whole pumpkin into fries

To save time, you can prep the pumpkin a day or two in advance and store the pumpkin slices in an airtight container in the fridge.

Two pumpkin halves on a wooden board with the seeds scooped out.

Step 1: Stand the pumpkin on a cutting board. If the pumpkin isn't level, you can trim the bottom off. Using a sharp knife, start on one side of the stem and cut down one side. Repeat on the other side. Pull apart the two halves and scoop the seeds out. (Save the seeds to make these air fryer pumpkin seeds)!

Skin peeled off two pumpkin halves on a wooden board.

Step 2: Cut the stem off and peel the skin off the pumpkin. I like to use a Y peeler for this but a swivel peeler works too.

Pumpkin cut into 8 smaller pieces and arranged on a wooden board with a knife on the side.

Step 3: Cut each pumpkin half into quarters so you have 8 pieces of pumpkin. These pieces are a more manageable size to cut into fries.

Pumpkin slices spread out on a wooden board with a knife on the side.

Step 4: Cut each piece into ¼-inch slices. You should get roughly 10 cups of pumpkin slices.

How to air fry pumpkin fries

Pumpkin slices in a large glass bowl with oil and seasonings on the side.

Step 1: Place the pumpkin slices in a large bowl.

Pumpkin slices coated in oil and seasonings in a bowl with a spatula.

Step 2: Toss together with the oil and seasonings until the slices are well coated.

Seasoned pumpkin slices arranged in the air fryer basket.

Step 3: Place some of the pumpkin slices in the air fryer basket. It's okay if they overlap, but you don't want to fill the air fryer.

Air fried pumpkin slices in the air fryer basket.

Step 4: Air fry at 400F for 15-17 minutes, stopping a few times to shake the basket and rotate the fries around so they cook evenly. Repeat with remaining pumpkin slices.

Want to save this recipe for later?

Enter your email address and I'll send it straight to your inbox. You'll also receive new recipes from me regularly!

Storage and reheating

These fries are best served hot and fresh. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, air fry at 400F for 3-5 minutes.

Expert tips

Even cooking. Be sure to cut your pumpkin fries into roughly the same size slices. If you cut them into different sizes, they will cook unevenly. (I aim for ¼ inch thick slices).
Overlap the pumpkin slices. There's no need to air fry the pumpkin slices in a single layer. It will take forever to air fry all of them! You can overlap the slices in the air fryer basket, just don't fill the basket and make sure you shake the basket a few times while air frying.
Size of air fryer. I used a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer for this recipe, which is large enough to air fry all of the pumpkin slices in just 2 batches. If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to air fry the fries in 3-4 batches.
Half recipe. This recipe makes a lot of fries, so feel free to half the recipe. Just use half the pumpkin or use a smaller pumpkin (about 2 pounds instead of 4).

Pumpkin fries on a platter with a serving fork.

Air fryer pumpkin fries FAQs

What is the best type of pumpkin to use to make pumpkin fries?

I like to use a pie pumpkin (or sugar pumpkin) for this recipe as they have a delicious sweet flavor and work well for cooking and baking. You can also use Jack Be Littles, which have a sweet taste and smooth flesh, and are smaller and easy to work with. Larger pumpkins, on the other hand (like the ones you carve as jack-o-lanterns), are edible but they tend to be a little watery and stringy. Their large size is also a little more awkward to peel and cut. I don't recommend them for this recipe.

Can you use another type of squash to make these fries?

Absolutely! You can substitute buttercup, honeynut, acorn or butternut squash. (Or, check out this recipe for air fryer butternut squash cubes).

Why are my air fried pumpkin fries not crispy?

Pumpkin contains more moisture than potatoes, so these fries won't get crispy like french fries but you will be able to get some crispy and caramelized edges. If your fries are too soft or even soggy, it could mean that the air fryer basket was too full or the fries were overcooked.

Can I bake these pumpkin fries in the oven instead of air frying them?

Yes, but in my experience, the edges won't get as crispy or caramelized compared to the air fryer. Arrange the pumpkin slices in a single layer on a large sheet pan. Roast on 450F for 15-17 minutes, stopping at the midway point to flip the fries.

What do you recommend serving with pumpkin fries?

They're great for snacking with your favorite dip but they also work as a versatile side dish. Try them for brunch with quiche or this sausage frittata. You can also pair them with my jalapeno turkey burgers, or serve them with your holiday meal alongside a ham or turkey, my apple cranberry stuffing and air fryer maple pecan Brussels sprouts.

More air fryer side dish recipes

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Sign up for our newsletter and follow Crumb Top Baking on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook!

If you make this recipe, please leave a review and rating below to let me know what you think. If you have a question, drop that below too!

📖 Recipe

Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries

Sweet and salty with caramelized and crispy edges, these Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries are a delicious alternative to traditional french fries and the perfect way to change up your Thanksgiving side dishes!

5 from 7 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 50

Servings: servings

Author: Leanne Combden

Ingredients

▢ 1 pie pumpkin (sugar pumpkin), approximately 4 pounds
▢ 3 tablespoons olive oil
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
▢ 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
▢ Chopped fresh parsley for serving, optional

Instructions

Stand the pumpkin on a cutting board. If the pumpkin isn't level, you can trim the bottom off. Using a sharp knife, start on one side of the stem and cut down one side. Repeat on the other side.
Pull apart the two pumpkin halves and scoop the seeds out.
Cut the stem off and trim the bottoms off each half (if you haven't already cut the bottom off).
Use a peeler to peel the skin off each pumpkin half. (I like to use a Y peeler to do this).
Cut each pumpkin half into quarters so you have 8 pieces of pumpkin.
Cut each piece into ¼-inch slices. You should get roughly 10 cups of pumpkin slices.
Add the slices to a large bowl and toss together with the oil and seasonings until well coated.
Place the pumpkin slices in the air fryer basket. Just add enough so they are overlapping in two layers. Don't fill the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will need to air fry in 2-4 batches. (See notes below).
Air fry at 400F for 15-17 minutes, stopping a few times to shake the basket and rotate the fries around so they cook evenly.
Repeat with remaining pumpkin slices and serve with a sprinkle of salt and chopped fresh parsley.