Crisp cubes of soft, tender butternut squash, perfectly seasoned and oh-so tasty: that's our Air Fryer Butternut Squash recipe! Serve this easy recipe for air fried butternut squash as a side dish for your favorite fall and winter dinners. Ready in just 35 minutes! We recommend our Air Fryer Cornish Hen recipe.
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Butternut Squash in Air Fryer
Soft, sweet, and nutty butternut squash; what's not to love? This tasty winter squash cooks beautifully in the air fryer, with a slightly toasty exterior and an overall creamy texture. It's the perfect Thanksgiving side dish and goes great with any protein! You'll love pairing this recipe with all your air fryer dinners!
Air frying butternut squash is simple, too. All you have to do is shake the basket now and then, and that's it! Simply dice the squash, toss it with oil and spices, add it to the air fryer, and prepare the rest of your dinner while you wait. Try it, and we know air frying will become your favorite way to cook butternut squash!
Ingredients
- Butternut Squash: Look for a smaller to medium sized butternut squash as they are a bit sweeter. Be sure to pick up the squash and feel its weight. A good butternut squash should feel heavy for its size, indicating that it's filled with moisture and has a better chance of being flavorful. Peel and dice your squash into even pieces so it cooks evenly. You can often buy it already diced from the store. See our step-by-step guide on How to Prepare Butternut Squash.
- Avocado Oil: Or preferred high smoke point oil, such as light olive oil. Don't use butter, as it will burn. Learn more: Our Favorite Oils to use for Air Frying
- Kosher Salt: Kosher salt brings out the flavor of your food significantly more than table salt.
- Garlic Powder, Dried Italian Seasoning, and Black Pepper: This will be your seasoning mixture for the squash. You can use other seasonings, too, such as onion powder. however! See below for some ideas.
- Chives: Chopped, for garnish. Chives add an onion-y, garlicky flavor that pairs well with nutty squash. This is optional, but we recommend trying it.
Feel free to experiment with other flavors for this butternut squash recipe according to your taste preferences! Butternut squash pairs well with both savory and sweet flavors, including maple syrup, cinnamon, and brown sugar, to herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
Watch the Video
How to Air Fry Butternut Squash
Step 1 - Use butternut squash that has already been peeled and diced, or peel, slice, and dice your own butternut squash as directed in our video and our step-by-step guide.
Step 2 - Place the diced butternut squash in a mixing bowl. Add oil, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Gently mix to coat all pieces of squash evenly.
Step 3 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, open the air fryer basket and pour in the squash cubes. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket; if you have too much squash, cook it in batches.
Step 4 - Air fry at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the butternut squash is lightly browned and fork-tender. Shake the basket every 5-10 minutes throughout the cooking time to ensure it cooks evenly and crisps up well.
Step 5 - Remove the air-fried butternut squash from the basket to a serving dish. Serve with chopped chives or fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy!
Toaster Oven Style Air Fryer Oven Instructions
We use a Breville Smart Oven Air when using a countertop oven model with a tray.
- Place the diced butternut squash in a mixing bowl. Add oil, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Gently mix to coat all pieces of squash evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Open the air fryer and spread the squash out in a single layer on the air fryer tray. Set the tray on the middle oven rack. Do not overcrowd the tray; if you have too much squash, cook it in batches.
- Air fry at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, until the roasted butternut squash is lightly browned and tender.
Butternut Squash Puree
One of our favorite ways to serve this air fried butternut squash is in a puree with bacon or pancetta on top. Here's how you can make butternut squash puree in the air fryer!
You will need:
- 4 cups air fryer butternut squash (1 recipe = 4 cups)
- ½ stick unsalted butter, softened
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooked bacon or pancetta for garnish (optional)
Here are the instructions:
- Place air fryer butternut squash cubes and 4 Tablespoons of softened unsalted butter into the bowl of a food processor. Puree until smooth.
- Taste the puree and adjust seasonings as necessary with salt and pepper.
- Serve with cooked bacon or pancetta pieces, and enjoy!
You can also use the leftovers to make butternut squash soup!
Recipe Tips
- Peeled, sliced, and diced butternut squash is usually readily available in the produce section of your local grocery store.
- If you have a whole butternut squash, see our step-by-step guide showing you How to Prepare Butternut Squash.
- You can use frozen butternut squash in this recipe, but the cooked squash will be much softer.
- Cook time for this recipe is based on a preheated air fryer.
- Cook time may vary depending on your specific air fryer. As always, use the cook time and temperature as a guide until you are more comfortable with your specific brand of air fryer.
- If cooking in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early, as they may cook more quickly.
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: Cool leftovers to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Allow the squash to cool to room temperature, then spread out the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Add this sheet to the freezer and allow the cubes to freeze. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag and keep in the freezer for up to 4-6 months. Label with the date. By freezing them on the sheet first, you prevent them from sticking together.
- Reheating: Reheat cooled squash in the air fryer until warmed through. For frozen butternut squash, reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer; no need to thaw.
FAQ
Yes, you can use frozen butternut squash. Keep in mind the texture will be much softer than fresh, and you may need to adjust the cooking time.
The butternut squash is done when it's tender inside and lightly caramelized on the outside. This typically takes 20-25 minutes at 400°F, but you should start checking a few minutes before the end of the cooking time as air fryer temperatures can vary.
Yes, as long as all the pieces of squash are cut evenly, this recipe should work for anywhere from half-inch cubes of butternut squash to 1-inch cubes.
Yes, air fryer butternut squash is vegan and gluten-free. If making butternut squash puree, use vegan butter.
Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes
- Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
- Air Fryer Peppers and Onions
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Potatoes and Onions
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Try all of our Air Fryer Vegetables and Air Fryer Side Dishes!
Leave a comment and review for us below if you enjoyed this recipe, or if you have questions about any of our air fryer recipes!
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 lb Butternut Squash peeled and diced (about 4 cups)
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil or your preferred high smoke point oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Chives chopped, for garnish
Instructions
How to Air Fry Butternut Squash
- Use butternut squash that has already been peeled and diced, or peel, slice, and dice your own butternut squash as directed in our video and the instructions below.
- Place the diced butternut squash in a mixing bowl. Add oil, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Gently mix to coat all pieces of squash evenly.2 lb Butternut Squash, 1 Tablespoon avocado oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Once preheated, open the air fryer basket and pour in the squash cubes. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket; if you have too much squash, cook it in batches.
- Air fry at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the butternut squash is lightly browned and fork-tender. Shake the basket every 5 minutes throughout the cooking time to ensure it cooks evenly and crisps up well.
- Remove the air-fried butternut squash from the basket to a serving dish. Serve with chopped chives if desired, and enjoy!Chives
Countertop Air Fryer Oven Instructions
- Place the diced butternut squash in a mixing bowl. Add oil, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Gently mix to coat all pieces of squash evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Open the air fryer and spread the squash out in a single layer on the air fryer tray. Set the tray on the middle oven rack. Do not overcrowd the tray; if you have too much squash, cook it in batches.
- Air fry at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, until the roasted butternut squash is lightly browned and tender.
Notes
- Pre-cut butternut squash is often available in grocery stores.
- For whole squash, refer to our peeling and slicing guide.
- Frozen squash can be used but results in a softer texture.
- The recipe is for a preheated air fryer.
- Adjust cooking time for different air fryer models as necessary.
- Check subsequent batches sooner, as they may cook faster.
Nutrition
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