Air Fryer Butternut Squash
This post may contain affiliate links.
Need some new ideas for healthy side dishes? Then try out this easy air fryer butternut squash. With just a few basic ingredients and about 20 minutes of your time, you can have a delicious dish ready to go onto the dinner table.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe
This easy air fryer recipe for cubed butternut squash has quickly become a family favorite. The air fryer is such an easy way to prepare a healthy side dish. Just chop up this bright orange winter squash, toss it in a little oil and seasoning, and then throw it into the air fryer basket.
The savory flavor of the seasonings paired with the slightly sweet flavor of butternut squash is the best combination. It truly is one of favorite ways to prepare butternut squash.
Once I made the most perfect air fryer sweet potatoes, I knew squash would be just as tasty. And boy was I right! This recipe has become a great addition to meals on busy evenings and always turns out wonderful.
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
Pair this low carb, gluten free, paleo and Whole30 compliant recipe with delicious meals like Instant Pot pork chops or air fryer chicken thighs. You’ll have dinner on the table in just minutes and the whole family will enjoy every bite!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
This simple recipe is jut so lovely. We know why it’s become a favorite around our house, but here are a few other reasons we love it:
- Butternut squash is loaded with nutritional benefits! It’s a great source of Vitamin c, fiber, potassium and fiber. A healthy and delicious side dish.
- The cooking process is incredibly simple and there is not much clean-up after making air-fried butternut squash. I love recipes that don’t keep me in the kitchen cleaning endless mounds of dishes after dinner.
- This great side dish pairs well with any main dish you want. It is versatile and you can even change up the seasonings used to make the flavor palette work with your main course.
Ingredients
Grab these simple ingredients the next time you run to the grocery store. Then you can make this recipe whenever you want:
- Cubed butternut squash: Cut the fresh squash, peel it, seed it and chop it up into even sized chunks. The size of your butternut squash pieces need to be all the same so that they cook evenly and all the way through.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Avocado oil or refined coconut oil are both great substitutes for olive oil.
- Salt and pepper: Bring out the flavors of the squash with a bit of salt and pepper. Feel free to use more or less than the recipe calls for and season to taste.
- Optional:
- Seasoning of your choice: Add extra flavor to this super easy air fryer recipe and season the squash with spices like cinnamon, paprika, or rosemary.
How to Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Here’s how to make the easiest and most tender butternut squash:
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. While it preheats, peel the quash and chop it into evenly sized cubes on a cutting board.
Place the chopped squash into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and pepper and any other desired seasonings, then toss to coat evenly.
Transfer the seasoned butternut squash to the air fryer basket, spreading them out into a single layer.
Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure the squash cubes cook evenly.
Once the squash is fork tender and slightly caramelized, it is ready to eat! Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately.
I love to use this method of cooking butternut squash when I want a quick and easy batch of butternut squash soup!
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Transfer leftover squash to an airtight container or zip top plastic bag. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 2-3 months. Allow to thaw before reheating.
To easily reheat, throw back into the air fryer until warmed through. You can also reheat on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in oven until warmed through.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks, skillet brown sugar glazed pork chops, and slow cooker chicken thighs are among some of our favorite main course dishes to pair with air fryer butternut squash. However, this recipe is so versatile, it goes so well with everything!
Serve it with anything from oven roasted butterfly chicken and veggies to grilled pork tenderloin. It pairs wonderfully with sides like broccoli and air fryer mushrooms too.
Tips for Success
Check out these simple tips so that there are no hiccups in the cooking process while making air fryer butternut squash:
- Make sure that you spread the squash out into a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do multiple batches.
- Don’t cut the squash too small, but don’t chop large cubes either. The squash should be about 1-inch cubes so that they cook perfectly!
- You can use pre-cut butternut squash to save a bit of time. You can typically find it in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle.
FAQ
If you end up with mushy squash, you likely either overcooked it or you overloaded the basket with too much squash and it couldn’t cook properly. Every air fryer is a little different, so it’s important to keep an eye on the squash as it cooks. The cook time may vary a bit. You also need to make sure that the squash is not stacked in layers inside the basket.
You can use frozen butternut squash in this recipe if you would like, but it will likely need a few minutes of added cook time. Frozen vegetables tends to cook a bit different than fresh too. So, keep in mind that the texture may be different.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans
- Air Fryer Tilapia
- Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
- Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Hashbrowns
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: seasoning of your choice such as cinnamon, paprika, or rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Place cubed butternut squash in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and any desired seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
- Transfer seasoned squash cubes to the air fryer basket, spreading them out in a single layer.
- Air fry butternut squash at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Test the squash with a fork to ensure it’s tender and caramelized.
- Remove cooked butternut squash from the air fryer and serve as a side dish or use in various recipes.
