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    Home > Veggies and Sides > Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    Published: Aug 23, 2023 by Kathleen · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See full disclosure

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    Air Fryer Butternut Squash is the perfect way to roast winter squash quickly. With just 3 simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can make irresistible caramelized bites of goodness, both sweet and savory!

    Air fry butternut squash when you're wanting healthy Thanksgiving sides or easy Christmas dinner side dishes. I also love to stir them into salad with apples.

    White bowl of air fryer butternut squash. Cubes of roasted winter squash on orange cloth.

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    If you're looking for easy butternut squash recipes to make with your garden harvest, you've found the easiest one, right here!

    Cooking butternut squash in the air fryer is my favorite method because it's fast and easy. The squash roasts more quickly than it would in a conventional oven, but the results are just as good.

    Roasted butternut squash is delicious all year round, but it's the perfect side dish for the colder months of fall. Winter squash like butternut works really well with other flavors, so there are some suggestions for adding extra flavor later in the post.

    In the summer, I love making Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini with squash from my garden.

    Air fryer butternut squash cubes can be enjoyed hot from the air fryer as a side dish or allowed to cool and added to salads.

    This is the perfect recipe to air fry butternut squash for Butternut Squash and Apple Salad and add a drizzle of this zesty Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing.

    Shortcuts

    • Microwaving the whole butternut squash, first, is a game changer for easy peeling and cutting.
    • Skip the step of cutting up your own butternut squash. Many grocery stores sell it cut up for you in the produce section.

    Ingredients

    Here's a list of what you'll need for air frying butternut squash:

    Scroll down to printable recipe for exact ingredient quantities.

    Ingredients for air fryer butternut squash: squash, salt, oil.
    • Butternut squash
    • Olive oil or vegetable oil
    • Salt
    • Black pepper (optional)

    How to cut butternut squash

    Let's be honest. Winter squash, like butternut and acorn squash, is HARD to cut because of its protective hard skin/peel. I have trick to make that easier!

    My best tip for peeling and cutting butternut squash is to microwave it on High 1 to 2 minutes, first, depending on the size. It magically softens the squash skin so you can peel it and cut it in half lengthwise, fairly easily with a large chef knife.

    Peeling a butternut squash.
    • You can peel it before or after cutting in half. I use the OXO Y peeler to remove the tough peel. The shape allows you to pull down with more force than a regular vegetable peeler. Trust me. It makes a huge difference.

    Technically, you can leave the peel on. It is edible, but in my opinion, not very palatable.

    Air fryer butternut squash on a cutting board with a kitchen knife set alongside.
    • Remove the seeds and strings.
    • Remove all the thick peel (if you cut in half first), revealing the orange squash underneath. Don't leave any green streaks. That's part of the skin.
    • Cut the squash into strips according to the size cubes you wish to end up with.
    • Cut the strips into cubes.

    Tip: Try and cut the butternut squash into even-sized cubes so they will roast evenly.

    How to make air fryer butternut squash

    Air frying is the easiest way to cook butternut squash if you want the caramelized flavor that comes with roasting it instead of boiling or steaming it.

    Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe with detailed instructions.

    Cooking butternut squash in air fryer

    • Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes to 390 to 400 degrees F.
    • Peel, seed and cut butternut squash into ½-3/4-inch cubes. (See tips above.)
    • Toss the butternut cubes with olive oil and salt. Add pepper (optional).
    An air fryer basket filled with cubes of butternut squash coated in oil.
    An air fryer basket filled with cubes of roasted butternut squash.
    • Add the cubes of squash to the air fryer basket and roast them for 12 minutes.
    • Stir or shake the air fried butternut squash in the basket or rack, then cook for an additional 6 minutes or until browned on the edges, checking for doneness. Cook longer for larger cubes.
    Uncooked cubed butternut squash in
 large air fryer basket.
    Roasted cubed butternut squash in large air fryer basket.

    Air fryers come in large and small capacities as well as basket style and oven-style. Larger air fryers can hold more butternut squash. Keep in mind 4 cups of butternut cubes will cook down to about 2 cups of roasted squash.

    Tip: Be careful not to overfill the basket or racks so there is enough air flow to roast and not steam the squash.

    Bowl of roasted butternut squash on orange cloth with wooden spoon in bowl.
    • Remove from the air fryer and serve warm or room temperature.

    Tip: Make sure you roast the squash until they edges are brown. The browned edges not only look good, the caramelized natural sugar tastes amazing!

    Substitutions & Variations

    Butternut squash (air fryer) is a super versatile recipe!

    I've kept this recipe simple and just added a touch of salt to season. However, butternut squash works well with other flavors.

    • Add extra sweetness with brown sugar, honey or maple syrup before roasting. This is especially helpful if your butternut squash is bought during the summer months and might be a little dryer since it is a winter squash.
    • Spices work well with squash, try combining ground cinnamon and sugar.
    • Add any variety of ground spices like cinnamon, paprika, cumin, chili.
    • Melted butter can be used instead of oil.
    • Sprinkle in some fresh or dried herbs.
    • This recipe would work equally well with other vegetables like carrots, potatoes, turnips and/or parsnips.
    • Sprinkle over some shredded Parmesan cheese just before serving.

    Helpful Information

    Do I need to peel butternut squash before cooking?

    The skin of a butternut squash is edible so it can be roasted with the skin on or off. It comes down to personal preference.

    Can I air fry frozen butternut squash?

    Yes, you can! Follow the same directions as fresh butternut cubes and add about 5 additional minutes of cooking time. Keep in mind frozen squash will not turn out as crispy as fresh squash cubes.

    Bowl of roasted butternut squash on fall colored cloth with wooden spoon next to it.

    What to serve with air fryer butternut squash

    • Enjoy hot or cold, this easy roasted butternut squash is a great addition to Butternut Squash and Apple Salad.
    • A great tasting side with any main dish, try it with Pan-Seared Pork Chops & Fried Cinnamon Apples or Bacon Wrapped Venison Backstrap.

    Storage Tips

    • To Store. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator, covered or in an air tight container for up to 5 days.
    • To Reheat. Place the refrigerated squash back into a greased air fryer at 360 degrees F and warm through for 4 minutes. Alternatively warm up in the microwave.
    • Frozen roasted butternut squash (air fryer): It freezes easily in an air tight container or zip top freezer bag. To reheat in the air fryer, spray with a cooking oil sprayer and air fry for 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

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    If you make this recipe I'd love to see it! Tag me on social media with #gritsandgouda or @gritsandgouda. Leave a comment below the printable recipe if you have questions or tell me how you liked the recipe. Don't forget to rate it 5 stars if you love it!

    Want more easy air fryer recipes?

    • Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs
    • Roasted Pecans in Air Fryer
    • Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
    • Air Fryer Squash (Yellow or Zucchini)
    Bowl of roasted butternut squash on fall colored cloth with wooden spoon next to it.

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    Kathleen Phillips: GritsAndGouda.com
    Air Fryer Butternut Squash is the perfect way to roast squash quickly. Roasting butternut squash in an air fryer takes only 10 minutes. Preparation is minimal, coat the squash in a little oil, season with salt, then roast until crisp on the outside, soft and tender on the inside.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 6 minutes mins
    Cook Time 18 minutes mins
    Total Time 24 minutes mins
    Servings 4 servings

    Equipment

    • air fryer
    • Y-shaped vegetable peeler
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 medium butternut squash (about 4 cups cubed)
    • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Peel, seed and cut butternut squash into ½-3/4-inch cubes using a Y-shaped vegetable peeler. (See equipment above.)
    • Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes to 400 degrees F.
    • Toss with olive oil and salt. Add pepper, (optional).
    • Add the coated cubes of butternut squash to the air fryer basket and air fry them for 12 minutes.
    • Open the air fryer and stir or shake the squash. Then, cook for an additional 6 minutes or until browned on the edges, checking for doneness.
    • Remove from the air fryer and serve warm or room temperature.
    • Yield: about 2 cups roasted butternut squash

    Notes

    How to cut butternut squash:
      • Remove the seeds.
      • I use the OXO Y peeler to remove the tough peel. The shape allows you to pull down with more force than a regular vegetable peeler. Trust me. It makes a huge difference. Remove all the thick peel, revealing the orange squash underneath.
      • Cut the squash into strips according to the size cubes you wish to end up with.
      • Cut the strips into cubes.
     
    My best tip for peeling and cutting butternut squash is to microwave it on High 1 minute, first. It magically softens the squash skin so you can peel it and cut it in half lengthwise, fairly easily with a large chef knife.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 126kcal
    Did you make this recipe?If you love it, share it! Comment below before you go!

    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.

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    Hi y'all! I’m Kathleen. I share Southern shortcut recipes! I’m a food stylist, cookbook author, and former test kitchen director in Alabama. I take traditional Southern recipes you know and love (and a few new ones) and make them with shortcuts so you can enjoy them faster.

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    Hi y'all! I’m Kathleen. I share Southern shortcut recipes! I’m a food stylist, cookbook author, and former test kitchen director in Alabama. I take traditional Southern recipes you know and love (and a few new ones) and make them with shortcuts so you can enjoy them faster.

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