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    Home » Air Fryer Recipes » Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    Published: Sep 8, 2021 | This post may contain affiliate links·

    418 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Air Fryer Butternut squash is an easy way to make perfect roasted butternut squash. A quick and delicious side dish for Fall/Autumn and the holidays.

    close up of roasted butternut squash pieces
    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe works
    • List of Ingredients
    • How to roast butternut squash in the air fryer
    • Alternative Method – Make it in the Oven
    • Recipe Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Easy Air Fryer Recipes
    • Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    What says ‘Fall’ better than some cinnamony roasted butternut squash? I’m always partial to the sweet scents of cinnamon and maple especially in the Fall / Autumn and I love to season everything in it – from sweet potato to butternut squash.

    After I bought my air fryer this year, I found that the process of roasting veggies is so much easier and quicker in the air fryer - I prefer to roast my veggies in the air fryer rather than in the oven now. What's more, with the air fryer, everything crisps up and caramelizes easily - from Air Fryer Eggplant to Air Fryer Bananas.

    The next time you’re looking for a quick, healthy, and delicious side dish for your weeknight, or if you are planning a holiday menu, I highly recommend these caramelized roasted butternut squash. The air fryer does a quick job of roasting them, and you will love the caramelization and the crispy edges of the squash.  

    caramelised roasted butternut squash pieces

    Why this recipe works

    • 10-minute recipe for crispy, caramelized, cinnamony butternut squash
    • Easy side dish for Fall and the holidays
    • 4 ingredients only!
    • Healthy, high in nutritonal value

    List of Ingredients

    To make butternut squash in the air fryer you will need:

    Olive Oil - I prefer olive oil for a neutral flavor. You can use butter if you like.

    Cinnamon, Maple Syrup - Cinnamon is a classic Fall flavor and Maple syrup helps in giving a nice caramelization to the butternut squash. You can skip these and go for optional seasonings if you like (see recipe variations below)

    Butternut squash - I prefer to buy fresh, instead of using pre-cut butternut squash. Do not use frozen butternut squash, as it will not crisp up as well as fresh.

    Salt - Use kosher or sea salt to season. I prefer to add salt midway through the air frying cycle. Salt can bring out the moisture in the vegetable and this will prevent it from crisping up. It is recommended to add it towards the end.

    How to roast butternut squash in the air fryer

    To make butternut squash in the air fryer, get hold of a nice big butternut squash – I prefer to use a fresh one, instead of precut pieces. To prep the butternut squash, cut it up into two halves and peel the skin using a vegetable peeler.  Once peeled, start to chop into large cubes. From the bottom half of the butternut squash, take out the stringy bits and seeds and discard them.

    chopping board with knife and butternut squash pieces

    Once you have cubed the butternut squash, toss it in a mixing bowl along with olive oil, maple syrup and cinnamon. Don’t add the salt just yet.

    mixing bowl with butternut squash pieces with cinnamon powder

    In a preheated air fryer, add the cubes of butternut squash in a single layer without crowding. Cook at 370 F (190 C) for 10 minutes, flipping once midway. Add the salt mid-way through, toss and continue to air fry until the 10 minutes cycle is complete.

    butternut squash pieces in an air fryer

    Once done, the butternut squash cubes will look like this.

    roasted butternut squash pieces in an air fryer

    Alternative Method – Make it in the Oven

    If you do not have an air fryer, you can make the roasted butternut squash in the oven. Simply follow the same steps as above to chop and season the butternut squash.

    Then transfer the butternut squash to a baking tray, in a single layer.

    Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until caramelized and done. Season with salt and serve.

    Recipe Variations

    Try different seasonings

    Air fryer Butternut squash can be made with as few or as many ingredients as you want. In this recipe, I have used maple, cinnamon, salt, and olive oil. You can also try these seasonings if sweet roasted butternut squash isn’t your thing:

    • Cumin and paprika
    • Ginger powder and cinnamon
    • Minced fresh garlic
    • Rosemary, Thyme, Sage

    Make butternut squash air fryer fries

    Another way to enjoy this recipe is to make butternut squash air fryer fries, instead of cooking them as cubes. To make the fries, simply cut the butternut squash into long thin fries. Season with olive oil and air fry at 400 F fr 10 minutes, flipping them midway for even frying. Finally, season with salt and serve.

    close up of butternut squash with parsley garnish

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I Use Pre-Cut Butternut Squash?

    Pre-cut fresh butternut squash will work well for this recipe, instead of using fresh whole butternut squash. Make sure that the pieces are around 1 inch in size - small cubes will need less time in the air fryer or oven. Do not use frozen butternut squash - they will not roast as well as fresh-cut pieces.

    How do you make butternut squash easier to cut?

    To make it easier to cut the butternut squash, you can soften the skin a little before peeling your butternut squash. Simply use a fork to pierce the butternut squash a few times, then put it in the microwave for 2 minutes. This will help soften the skin a bit before you start to peel the butternut squash.

    Easy Air Fryer Recipes

    Air Fryer Chicken Patties

    Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

    Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp

    Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

    close up of butternut squash with parsley garnish

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    Shinta
    A quick and easy Air Fryer butternut squash recipe. A perfect side dish for Fall and for the holidays!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 57 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 Cups Butternut Squash Cut into cubes
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
    • ½ teaspoon Olive Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Maple Syrup
    • ½ teaspoon Salt To season

    Instructions
     

    • In a large mixing bowl, toss up the butternut squash cubes along with olive oil, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
    • Preheat your air fryer (I used my Instant Vortex) at 370 F (190 C).
    • Once preheated, add the seasoned cubes of butternut squash in a single layer without crowding.
    • Cook at 370 F for 10 minutes, flipping once midway. Add the salt mid-way through, toss and continue to air fry until the 10 minutes cycle is complete.
    • Take out the cooked squash and garnish with chopped-up parsley (optional). Air Fryer butternut squash is now ready to be served.

    Alternative method - in the oven

    • Follow the same steps as above to season the butternut squash cubes in a mixing bowl.
    • Then transfer the butternut squash to a baking tray, in a single layer.
    • Bake the squash at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until caramelized and cooked. Season with salt and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 295mgPotassium: 375mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 11162IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword air fryer butternut squash, Fall recipe, thanksgiving side dish
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    Shinta Simon

    is always on the lookout for inspiration for her next meal. She shares recipes for family meals, Instant Pot recipes and more

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