Air Fryer Butternut Squash

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Easy Air fryer butternut squash is a healthier way to enjoy your favorite fall vegetable. With all the health benefits of butternut squash and the convenience of air frying, you can feel good about serving it to your family and friends.

Air Fryer Butternut squash in a white bowl.

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This air fryer butternut squash is a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy this seasonal vegetable. Butternut squash is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for those looking to add more healthy foods to their diet.

Air frying is a great way to cook butternut squash, as it results in a crisp exterior and tender interior without the need for excess oil. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful and healthy dish that’s perfect as a side dish or a tasty snack.

If you’re looking for more easy recipes, try these Air Fryer Mushrooms, Air Fryer Chick Peas, and Air Fryer Fried Pickles.

A white bowl of air fryer butternut squash.

Why We Love This Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe

Air fryer butternut squash is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried squash. Butternut squash is a popular fall vegetable that is packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and potassium. If you love butternut squash soup or fries recipes or are just a fan of roasted butternut squash, you will love this recipe.

  • 30-Minute Meal: With minimal prep time and only 15-20 minutes of cooking time, this air fryer squash will be ready in less than 30 minutes.
  • Easy Ingredients: This recipe consists of only 4 simple ingredients that you might already have on hand. Use butternut squash to make a gluten-free side dish for almost any occasion.
  • Adaptable: Whether you want your squash to be sweeter or to have more of a savory seasoning, you can easily change the flavors in this air fryer recipe.

For another way to cook this gourd, here’s a tutorial on How To Microwave Butternut Squash.

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Ingredient Notes for Recipe for Great Side Dish for Easy Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Squash, olive oil and seasoning.
  • Butternut Squash: Before cooking, it’s best to peel your butternut squash before cutting it into cubes. For the best results, cut the squash into cubes about 1 inch in size. Or to save time use pre-cut butternut squash cubes.
  • Oil: If you don’t have olive oil on hand, vegetable oil will work as well.

See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations and Substitutions for this Butternut Squash Recipe

This butternut squash in the air fryer is a great side dish recipe. There is so many ways to customize your butternut squash pieces into exactly what you like.

  • Savory – To make your squash more savory or spicy, try using some paprika and cayenne pepper to your air fryer butternut squash fries.
  • Sweet – For a more sweet-tasting squash, you can add pumpkin pie spice along with the brown sugar.
  • Cooking variation: If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry! These cubed butternut squash pieces can be baked in the oven also.

How to Make Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer

This simple yet tasty recipe is easy to make and can be served as a side dish or a snack. Air-frying butternut squash is a perfect addition to any meal or gathering.

These are the basic steps for making butternut squash in the air fryer. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Slicing and preparing the squash and cubing.

Step 1: PREP AIR FRYER BASKET

First, preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F. Remove the basket and spray lightly with the olive oil spray.

Step 2: SEASON SQUASH

In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil and seasonings together. With a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, peel butternut squash and scoop out the seeds. Cut the butternut squash into uniform pieces. Toss the cubed squash in the seasoning mix, making sure all pieces are evenly coated.

Step 3: PUT SQUASH IN AIR FRYER AND BAKE

Place the butternut squash cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until squash is tender. Halfway through, shake the basket to ensure the squash is cooked evenly on all sides.

Preparing the squash and cooking in the air fryer.

Recipe FAQs this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe

Yes, you can use a squash of your choosing for this healthy side dish. Some squashes can take longer to cook, so you may need to adjust the time. You can stick a fork into the squash cubes to make sure they are tender.

When picking out your squash, you want to look for one with a nice solid beige coloring. Try to avoid any squash with bruising or cuts. They are a great side dish to any meal.

You’ll know when your winter squash is ripe when the color is all uniform and the skin will be hard. If you’re harvesting your squash you want to make sure to leave about an inch of stem on each squash.

Yes, you can use frozen butternut squash, however it won’t get the crunch as you would with a fresh squash.

To store your roasted squash with olive oil, let cool to room temperature and place in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To reheat your leftover air fried butternut squash, just air fry or bake in the oven for a few minutes until heated through.

A close up on the squash cubes.

Expert Tips for Crispy Air Frying Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is a great vegetable to cook in an air fryer due to its health benefits, affordability, and delicious flavor. Butternut squash is an easy way to make a flavorful side dish that’s both healthy and budget-friendly.

  • Easy Cleanup: For an easy cleanup, line the basket with parchment paper before cooking.
  • Crispy Squash: To ensure you get crispy squash, make sure all pieces are coated with olive oil. Oil will help the vegetable crisp up when cooking.
  • Variation tip: If you are looking for a more candied vegetable, you can drizzle some maple syrup over your batch of squash.
  • Prep Tip: For an easier prep, you can use pre-cut butternut squash.
  • Season: Make this recipe as you like. Salt and pepper, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder and garnish with fresh herbs.

What to Serve with Butternut Squash

Air Fryer Butternut squash in a white bowl.
5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Air fryer butternut squash is a healthier way to enjoy your favorite fall vegetable. With all the health benefits of butternut squash and the convenience of air frying, you can feel good about serving it to your family and friends.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit, and then spray the basket with oil.
  • In a bowl, mix together the olive oil and seasoning.
  • Toss the squash cubes in the olive oil mixture and place in a single layer in the basket.
  • Air frying baste for 15-20 minutes, then remove to shake halfway through cooking time.

Expert Tips

  • Easy Cleanup: For an easy cleanup, line the basket with parchment paper before cooking.
  • Crispy Squash: To ensure you get crispy squash, make sure all pieces are coated with olive oil. Oil will help the vegetable crisp up when cooking.
  • Variation tip: If you are looking for a more candied vegetable, you can drizzle some maple syrup over your batch of squash.
  • Prep Tip: For an easier prep, you can use pre-cut butternut squash.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 340mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 9935IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

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