Slow Cooker Acorn Sqush (Brown Sugar & Cinnamon)
37 CommentsUpdated May 22, 2026
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You’ll be amazed how easy acorn squash is to cook in the slow cooker! The slow cooker steams the squash that is flavored with butter and fall seasonings.
Featured Comment
Thank you for a simple yummy recipe! We love butter & brown sugar, but also love it with coconut oil and salt & pepper!
– Kari
I made this Acorn Squash in the slow cooker in a sweet style. They are a delicious side for a fall meal. Acorn squash is also very cheap, and along with the fall spices I use, it makes the house smell amazing.
This recipe is just as easy as my Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes, Candied Carrots, or Slow Cooker Candied Yams recipes and all give big fall flavors.
Key Ingredients
You only need a few ingredients and a crockpot! Find the full recipe in the recipe card below the images.
Acorn Squash – These are found all year round in the produce section.
Butter – Butter slices go in each of the halves of the acorn squash.
Seasonings – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar are the BEST flavors for this fall squash.
Water – This will keep the squash moist.
How to make Slow Cooker Acorn Squash
- Halve and place in the crockpot. See the recipe card on how to cut the squash.
- Add a little sweetness, warm spice, and a pat of butter.
- Cover, cook until tender, and serve.
Sarah’s Tips & Variations
Here are my suggested adaptations if you want to change up the recipe.
- You can peel and cube the acorn squash instead of halving it—just add the butter, water, and seasonings the same way.
- For a more savory version, simply skip the brown sugar.
- Try swapping the spices with pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, cloves, or cardamom for a different flavor twist.
What to serve with Acorn Squash:
- Serve the acorn squash with your favorite main dishes such as Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs or garlic buttery Slow Cooker Steak Bites. This even goes great with Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Other fall recipes we love to make with this are are Autumn Chicken Dinner and Jack Daniels Pot Roast.
- To serve more people, you can cut the acorn squash halves in half again.
How to make Acorn Squash (Brown Sugar & Cinnamon)
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 acorn squash
- 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. butter
Instructions
- Add the 1/2 cup water to a large oval slow cooker.
- Cut the squash in half down the middle. Scrape out the seeds and the softer flesh that is with them with a spoon.
- Place the acorn squash in the slow cooker flesh up.
- Sprinkle over the cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar evenly onto the squash. Add a 1 Tbsp. slice of butter in the middle of each acorn squash half.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3.5 hours without opening the lid while it cooks.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Slow Cooker Recipes with Squash
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Slow Cooker Zucchini are simple veggie sides that cook up tender with minimal effort.
For a full meal, try Chicken and Butternut Squash or pair Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash with your favorite sauce for a light, satisfying option.
Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup is another great choice, packed with veggies, beans, and pasta for a hearty, one-pot dinner.
Looks easy and yummy. I’m a big fan of prep it and walk away!
Is there an easy way to cut (raw) acorn squash?
I think a long strong knife is best. I often use my bread knife to do it.
Microwave it for 1 minute. This softens the shell to cut more easily.
I also use my bread knife to cut it.
First time trying acorn squash!! My husband & I are on a low carb diet so I’m going to use the crock pot. I cut it in half, covered the inside with real melted butter. Sprinkled with cinnamon & sugar free syrup. Added water to the bottom, put it on low & crossed my fingers! Hope to fall in love with this squash like all the others!
It is July and still 80 degrees outside with extremely high humidity at 1:40 a.m. I have 2 acorn squash. Am i tirning on the oven? Heck no! Thanks sooo much for this recipe! All my cooking will be in the crockpot!
AFTER BAKING MY ACORN SQUASH IN THE OVEN,I LET IT COOL SCOOP OUT THE SQUASH AND PUT IT IN THE SLOW COOKER TOP IT OFF WITH BUTTER ,BROWN SUGAR AND SYRUP AND A LITTLE AMARETTO TURN IT ON LOW,AND FINISH THE REST OF MY THANKSGIVING PREPARATIONS..
Hi Elaine,
Would you mind sharing exactly how you made this, please?
I am doing Thanksgiving at my 95 yr old MIL’s house and need the oven for the turkey. I am also fixing stuffing/dressing and mashed potatoes (of course), with cranberry relish and sauce for both vegans and meat-eaters and will have limited access to an oven to roast my acorns.(My niece is also bringing 2 casseroles that will need the oven to reheat!)
I might just need to use your recipe to make my acorn squash happen. I usually roast in oven for an hours with sugar-free maple syrup for 4 of us who are diabetic.
I do have a crock pot and a Ninja multi cooker but have done acorns in them…
Thank you so much!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Michelle
ONe of my favorite recipes. FOr Thanksgiving is Acorn squash stuffed with creamed pearl onions.
Sounds really good. I will try to remember to make that!
For those who don’t know- the skin is totally edible and good.
Great to know, thank you. I will try it next time.
Might want to update the direction to say “flesh side down” 🙂
Skin side down, so flesh side up? I think it’s right.
Thank you for a simple yummy recipe! We love butter & brown sugar, but also love it with coconut oil and salt & pepper!
This works great! We cracked an egg into each half for the last few minutes, to add protein. Silky smooth poached eggs in an acorn squash, topped with cheese. The sweet, savory, and cheesy together were a hit.