As autumn arrives, the days grow shorter, the atmosphere fills with warm colors, and market stalls overflow with fresh pumpkins. With Halloween approaching, the pumpkin becomes the star—not only of decorations but also of sweet and savory dishes—bringing flavor, color, and creativity to your home table.
But how can you turn pumpkin into quick, light, and tasty recipes? The perfect solution is the air fryer, which enhances the pumpkin’s flavor and simplifies every preparation, turning each dish into a stress-free success.
Pumpkin: the versatile queen of autumn
Did you know that the first pumpkin cultivations date back 10,000 years? The pumpkin originated in Central America and, thanks to European explorers, spread throughout the world, becoming the symbol of autumn and one of the icons of Halloween.
It all comes from the Irish tradition of the “Jack-o’-Lantern”: according to legend, a man condemned to wander in darkness with a turnip lit by an ember for having tricked the devil inspired the Irish to carve turnips and beets to keep evil spirits away during the ancient festival marking the end of summer and the beginning of winter, around October 31st. When the tradition reached America, the pumpkin—larger and easier to carve—replaced the turnip, becoming the iconic symbol of Halloween and the autumn season.
From a simple lantern to ward off spirits to an icon of Halloween, the pumpkin has also conquered contemporary cuisine: today, thanks to the air fryer, it becomes snacks, side dishes, main courses, and light, quick, and creative desserts, bringing out every part of it.
Why choose the air fryer
The air fryer has revolutionized autumn cooking: with very little oil, it gives perfect crispiness on the outside and tender softness inside. And it simplifies preparation: just cut the pumpkin, season it, and cook it—no need to watch over pots or pans.
Other advantages?
- Reduced cooking times: in just a few minutes, you can have warm snacks and ready sides.
- Easy cleaning: no oil splashes or greasy pans to wash.
- Versatile cooking: prepare snacks, sides, main dishes, and desserts with the same ease.
Thanks to the air fryer, pumpkin can turn into any kind of dish—without stress.
Crunchy snacks and tasty sides
Pumpkin chips are perfect for autumn aperitifs: thin slices or rounds, seasoned with a drizzle of oil and your favorite spices—paprika, rosemary, or a pinch of cinnamon for a sweet touch.
Even roasted pumpkin cubes become a quick and eye-catching side dish. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, they are ideal to accompany meat, fish, or legume dishes. The air fryer ensures even crispiness without burning.
Creative main courses
The air fryer is not just for snacks and sides: you can use it to prepare creative main dishes—small pumpkins stuffed with vegetables, cheeses, or grains to serve at the table. It’s the perfect idea for a show-stopping Halloween dinner! Plus, the air fryer enhances the pumpkin’s natural flavor, making it tender and tasty without adding unnecessary fats.
Irresistible autumn desserts
Pumpkin is also perfect for desserts. Muffins, mini cakes, crumbles, and pies become light and fluffy thanks to air fryer baking. This way, you can enjoy autumn flavors, cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla, without guilt.
Even Halloween-themed treats, like little cupcakes made from simple pumpkin purée and decorated with spooky designs, are quick to prepare and wonderfully eye-catching
Use every part of the pumpkin
Not just the flesh: even the pumpkin’s seeds and peel can turn into crunchy, surprising snacks. Before cooking, wash the seeds and peel thoroughly (organic pumpkin is even better), then slice the peel thinly and season everything with oil, salt, and spices (sweet or smoked paprika, turmeric, rosemary).
Creativity and simplicity are the keys to avoiding waste and making every part of the pumpkin shine in the kitchen.
How does the air fryer work?
The air fryer is the perfect appliance for those who want to cook quickly, healthily, and creatively. Everything happens thanks to a flow of hot air that circulates rapidly inside the basket. This mechanism creates an effect similar to traditional frying: the surface of the food becomes crispy, while the inside remains soft and juicy, using very little or no oil.
Here’s how it works:
- The food is placed in the basket.
- The heating element warms the air inside.
- The fan distributes the hot air evenly, cooking and browning the food on all sides.
The result is a lighter, faster, and cleaner alternative to traditional frying, with shorter cooking times and easy handling in the kitchen.
With hOn, everything gets even easier
To make preparing recipes with your air fryer even simpler and smarter, there’s the hOn app:
- Discover dedicated air fryer recipes and filter by snacks, sides, main dishes, or desserts;
- Follow practical tips for everyday use, with ideal times and temperatures;
- Check intuitive guides for maintenance and cleaning, for worry-free use.
Every recipe becomes a creative, quick, and delicious cooking experience, maximizing the potential of the air fryer and of the pumpkin.
