This Air Fried Butternut Squash Halves recipe can be made as a sweet or savory side dish for a comforting weeknight meal or a holiday side dish. I give you both options! I'll also share my trick to easily cut through that tough butternut "shell".
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Roasting butternut squash in the air fryer is crazy easy and crazy good!
As a savory side dish, the squash gets just a little brush with oil or butter and a sprinkling of salt, pepper or your favorite seasoning blend.
If you're in a hurry, air frying butternut squash cubes is even faster!
You can even dress it up for the holidays to serve with Skillet Green Beans with Bacon by slicing the squash halves crosswise and sprinkling with pomegranate seeds. So pretty!
But you don't have to wait until the holidays to roast this gorgeous winter squash! I grow them in my garden and eat them from fall to spring (and beyond) because that tough outer "shell" or peel protects the delicious gold inside!
For the sweet version, butter and brown sugar caramelizes with the natural sugars in the butternut squash to form a glaze that puddles in the indentions.
Air fried butternut squash halves is easy, budget-friendly, and delicious.
It's quick and easy, yet you still get those crisp edges and a tender center you’d normally expect from slow roasting in the oven.
Serve it with Easy Ribeye Roast, Purple Hull Peas, mozzarella tomato basil salad, and all your other favorites.
Shortcuts
- No peeling or cubing required - You don’t have to peel or cut the squash into cubes. Just slice it in half, scoop out the seeds, and it’s ready for the air fryer. That’s one big time-saver right off the bat.
- Faster than oven roasting – The air fryer cooks butternut squash halves in less time than a traditional oven. Don't worry, you still get that roasted flavor and tender texture!
Ingredients
Start with three simple ingredients and then try my variations!
Scroll down to printable recipe for exact ingredient quantities.
- Butternut squash - A winter squash with a deep amber or sunset orange color "flesh" when cooked. No need to peel it first. The peel acts as a support as the squash cooks.
- Melted Butter or Olive Oil - Both work beautifully in this recipe.
- Salt - Don’t skip the salt! Even just a little can give your air fryer butternut squash halves a flavor boost.
- Brown sugar and/or cinnamon for the sweet version.
I don't recommend putting a whole butternut squash in the air fryer without cutting it first.
An uncut squash takes much longer to cook and may not cook through evenly, especially in the center. Cutting it in half allows the squash to cook faster, more evenly and caramelize those natural sugars.
Pro Tips
Cut Butternut Squash Easier: Microwave the squash before cutting on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes. Just place the whole butternut squash on the turntable! This helps soften the tough outer skin just enough to make cutting in half much easier.
Substitutions & Variations
Feeling creative? Use what you have on hand.
- Try flavored olive oil – Swap regular olive oil with a flavored one like garlic or Tuscan herb. This works especially well for the basic or savory versions.
- Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar – The best option if you're craving something sweeter! Just mix the maple syrup with the melted butter before brushing it on.
- Swap in your favorite spice blend – For the savory version, feel free to use whatever spice blend you love most. Creole, Greek seasoning, or garlic pepper all work well here.
- Add chopped nuts for texture – Add ¼ cup chopped pecans, hazelnuts, or walnuts to the scooped-out area right before the second round of air frying. Perfect if you're aiming for a sweeter side.
How to Make Roasted Halved Butternut Squash
Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe with detailed instructions.
- (Check out my Pro Tip above for softening the hard shell before cutting.)
- Slice the butternut squash in half by placing the tip of a large chef knife in the center of the squash. Hold one end with your non-dominant hand and press the knife downward on a cutting board all the way through on the other side of the squash.
- Turn the cut end of the squash around so your non-dominant hand is holding that side. Insert the tip of the knife in the center where you began the cut on the other side. Press the knife down to the cutting board, finishing the cut to slice the squash in half completely.
- Scoop out the seeds. I like to use a measuring spoon because these Oxo Good Grips measuring spoons have a nice edge. Any spoon or a melon baller also works.
- Brush with butter or oil and season with ¼ teaspoon salt.
How long to cook butternut squash in air fryer?
It will depend on the size of your squash but here are the times for a 1 ½ to 2 ½ pound squash.
- Air fry cut-side down at 375°F for 20 minutes. Carefully turn the halves over, season according to options in full printable recipe below. Air fry an additional 10 minutes or until tender.
Four ways to serve roasted butternut squash halves
- Scoop out the flesh and serve like mashed potatoes.
- Cut into cubes inside the skin (cutting to but not through the peel).
- Slice the halves crosswise to serve as half-moon shaped pieces.
- If the squash halves are small, you can serve one half whole on each plate.
What to Serve with Air Fried Butternut Squash
Air Fried Butternut Squash Halves pair well with lots of savory, hearty mains! Their roasted flavor and natural sweetness add variety and help balance out bold or tangy sauces. Try them with slow cooker pineapple brown sugar ham, air fryer meatloaf, or Instant Pot bone-in pepper jelly ham.
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Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves
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Equipment
Ingredients
Basic Option
- 1 whole (1½ to 2½ pounds) butternut squash
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil, divided
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Sweet Option
- 2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
Savory Option
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper or favorite seasoning blend
- chopped fresh thyme or parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Place the butternut squash on a sturdy cutting board. Carefully push the tip of a chef’s knife through the center of the squash and slice downward to one end, holding the squash steady.
- Turn the squash around and repeat the cut from the other end to split it completely in half. Tip: Rock the knife back and forth if needed at the thickest part.
- Use a spoon, melon baller, or ice cream scoop to remove and discard the seeds.
- Preheat the air fryer at 375°F for 3 minutes.
- Brush the cut sides of the squash with melted butter or oil.
- Air fry at 375°F for 20 minutes for a 1½ to 2 lb squash, and for 22 minutes if you’re using a 2½ lb squash.
- Carefully turn the squash halves over using tongs or spatula.
Choose your finish:
For the Basic Option
- Brush with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter or oil (or less, if preferred) and sprinkle with salt.
For the Sweet Option
- Brush with the remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
For the Savory Option
- Brush with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter or oil (or less, if preferred).
- Sprinkle the cut surfaces with garlic salt and black pepper or chosen seasoning blend.
- For all versions
- Air fry at 375°F for an additional 10 minutes or until tender.
- Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition analysis is for the basic version.
Nutrition analysis on GritsAndGouda.com recipes are mostly calculated on an online nutrition calculator. I am not a dietitian and nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on products used.
Scott P
I like these both ways, sweet and savory
Kathleen
Agreed! A fun idea is to make one half savory and the other half sweet!