Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries

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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 Thanksgiving side dishes! All you need is a pie pumpkin, some oil and a simple seasoning mix of salt, garlic powder and smoked paprika. 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!

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

This recipe was originally published in September 2020. While the ingredients have stayed the same, I’m using a larger capacity air fryer now, so I decided to double the recipe. I also made some changes to how the pumpkin is prepped and air fried.

These fries won’t get as crispy as traditional potato fries, but they’re a delicious was 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.

Ingredients and substitutions
How to cut a pumpkin into fries
How to air fry pumpkin fries
Storage and reheating
Key recipe tips
Recipe FAQs
More air fryer recipes

Ingredients and substitutions

Below is a brief overview of the ingredients and recommended substitutions. The recipe card at the end of this post includes the exact quantities used.

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.

How to cut a 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 1/4-inch slices. You should get roughly 10 cups of pumpkin slices.

How to air fry pumpkin fries

Below is a brief overview of the steps along with photos. For further details, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

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.

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.

Key recipe 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 1/4 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.

Recipe FAQs

What is the best type of pumpkin to use for 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 for this recipe?

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

Do you need to peel the pumpkin?

Yes, I recommend peeling the skin off the pumpkin for these fries.

Why are my 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 them in the oven instead of air frying?

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.

More air fryer recipes

Or check out this collection of air fryer side dishes!

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!

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