Air Fryer Butternut Squash
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Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash for an easy side dish that’s deliciously sweet and savory. You can customize the flavors and seasonings to match your main course, or keep it simple with oil and brown sugar. Learn how to cook butternut squash in the air fryer in just 40 minutes with this easy recipe!
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Nothing says fall like a basket full of squash, but it can take sooooo long to dice and roast them.
After picking out all the different shapes and colors, I just want a simple and delicious way to eat them.
Enter this butternut squash air fryer recipe. All you have to do is slice, brush, and air fry. I’ve even included a kitchen hack to make the slicing part easier!
And you can adjust the cooking time to work for all kinds of varieties — acorn squash is another one of my favorites.
Use your tender, sweet squash halves as a simple side dish, or scoop out the flesh to use in all kinds of different recipes.
While you’re at it, you really should start roasting all your veggies in the air fryer… potatoes, corn on the cob, brussel sprouts, and more!
It’s so much faster than the oven, won’t heat up your whole house, and is especially great when you only need a small batch done.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Butternut Squash – Size matters here! Make sure it will fit in your air fryer basket before getting started.
If it’s too long, you can always trim a little off either end, or separate the long neck from the round bottom and cook in batches.
Pick one that’s firm with a matte (not shiny) surface and no bruising. - Olive Oil – Not all olive oils are alike, so be sure to pay close attention to the bottle. Regular or extra light versions are best for air frying and roasting since they can withstand higher temperatures.
Do not use extra virgin olive oil for this butternut squash air fryer recipe — that’s best saved for dressings and dips! - Brown Sugar – This brings out the natural sweetness of the squash and helps to caramelize the surface.
Maple syrup or coconut sugar are good substitutes, but I’d avoid granulated white sugar as it’s more likely to burn. - Salt and Pepper – A must in any kitchen. These enhance the natural flavors of your food for a deeper, more satisfying result. Use freshly ground if you can!
How to Cook Butternut Squash in Air Fryer
- Prepare the squash.
Before you start slicing, place whole butternut squash in the microwave and heat for about 2 minutes. This softens it just enough to make slicing a bit easier.
If you don’t have a microwave, that’s ok! You can simply cut the squash in half right away and continue the recipe as directed.
Stand butternut squash upright on a cutting board and press a large knife straight down through the base.
You may need to rock the knife back and forth at first, but it should glide through fairly easily after that.
Then, use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and stringy bits from the inner cavity until you’re left with smooth flesh.
- Brush with oil and seasonings.
Mix together the oil, brown sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. The brown sugar plays off the natural sweetness of the squash in the most delicious way.
Brush the mixture evenly over the cut halves — only on the inside. If you’re concerned about sticking, you can brush a little oil by itself over the skin side before placing each half in the basket.
- Air fry until tender.
Close the air fryer and let it do its thing. No need to shake or flip anything!
Air fryer butternut squash is done when the tops are browned and the flesh can be pierced easily with a fork.
Be sure to test in several different spots as it might be tender in the center but still hard along the top.
Prep Ahead
- Slice squash and scoop out seeds
- Mix oil, sugar, and seasonings
- Preheat air fryer
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Air Fryer – Different brands and sizes may require different cooking times, so be familiar with your model and make adjustments as needed.
- A Sharp Knife to slice the squash in half
- Small Mixing Bowl – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- Basting Brush – Useful for everything from greasing pans to basting food.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer butternut squash is the perfect fall side dish, pairing well with all kinds of roasted meats and your favorite grains.
Enjoy it with smoked or rotisserie chicken, herb crusted pork tenderloin, or juicy steak bites.
Sometimes I’ll even enjoy a half for a simple lunch, as is, or with a hearty salad. It’s a great vegetarian dinner option too since it’s loaded with all kinds of good-for-you vitamins and minerals.
You could even use air fryer butternut squash to make copycat Panera Autumn Squash Soup!
Though, you may want to reduce the amount of brown sugar in that recipe since we already used it in this one.
Or, whip that tender flesh with a little bit of heavy cream for a sweet and fluffy butternut squash mash.
Storage and Reheating Butternut Squash in Air Fryer
Allow leftovers to cool before wrapping in foil or storing in an airtight container. Air fried squash will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
To reheat, place butternut squash in the air fryer and heat for 5-6 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through.
Butternut Squash Air Fryer Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can slice and season the squash up to a day in advance and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook.
Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time since the squash will be cold instead of room temperature.
The better question would be which ones aren’t good, if we’re being honest! You can make this squash extra sweet, extra savory, or somewhere in between — the ultimate versatile veggie.
Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice will really bring out the sweet fall flavors, while dried herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme (and some garlic powder) will bring out the more savory notes.
You could even season with smoked paprika or cumin for a spicy kick. I bet hot honey would be incredible when drizzled on just before serving.
If you do go the savory route, you may want to omit the brown sugar. Play around with different seasonings until you find your favorite combination!
You bet! Toss the cubes with the olive oil and brown sugar mixture instead of brushing it on, then spread them in a single layer in the basket. You may need to cook in batches.
Air fry for 25-30 minutes at 350°F, shaking the basket a few times throughout cooking. If you prefer crispier pieces, crank up the heat to 400°F and start checking the squash after 20 minutes.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Microwave the whole butternut squash on high for 2 minutes to soften it slightly. This will make it easier to cut.
- Carefully cut the softened squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
- In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper.
- Brush the cut sides of the squash with the prepared mixture.
- Place the squash halves in the air fryer basket, cut side up.
- Air fry for 35 minutes, or until the squash is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published November 2024
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