Like roasted squash but better, this Air Fryer Butternut Squash is crispy, caramelized, and simple to make!
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Whether you're looking for a new way to serve a squash or looking for a healthier holiday side dish, this Air Fryer Butternut Squash is sure to be a win!
Just preheat your air fryer, toss the squash with oil and salt, and air fry until the veggies are golden brown and delicious! I also share optional seasoning recommendations to take your squash to the next level. Add this recipe to your menu tonight!
Today's post is all about one of my favorite fall veggies: butternut squash!
With tender-when-cooked flesh, naturally sweet flavor, a surprising amount of versatility, and an impressive nutritional profile this winter squash is one that deserves to venerated.
And to be respected not only just as a winter vegetable, but as a vegetable that competes with the likes of fresh garden tomatoes, sweet green peas straight off the vine, and tender roasted broccoli (haven't tried it? Oh, please do yourself a favor and whip up a pan today).
Who else is with me here?! I mean, many of us know by now that I'm prone to going deep down food rabbit holes, but this orange winter squash-inspired one is one I'm glad to journey down often.
Especially now that I have this air fryer butternut squash recipe. I mean, what's to stop one when it only takes 3 ingredients, 30 minutes, and produces a crispy-crunchy, caramelized, and nutritious side dish?!
This side dish is perfect not only for the holidays (I'm looking at you, Thanksgiving and Christmas!) but also for those weeknight dinners that need some new side-dish inspiration.
So, give this dish a whirl tonight and chances are you'll be adding it to your regular dinner rotation, if not revering the humble veggie with me, too. 😉
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Here at Mae's Menu, we have a variety of readers: those who are more experienced in the kitchen and want to zip straight through to the recipe and those who want to learn more about the dish, potential substitutions, and more.
To skip straight to the recipe, just click "Jump to Recipe" at the top left of this post. To browse the post quickly, just click the headings in the table of contents below.
Table of contents
- This air fryer butternut squash recipe is...
- Recipe ingredients:
- Ingredient substitutions
- How to cut a butternut squash?
- Can you use pre-peeled & cut butternut squash for this recipe?
- Do you need to peel butternut squash before cooking?
- Is butternut squash keto friendly?
- How do you know when butternut squash goes bad?
- How to pick a good butternut squash:
- How long to cook butternut squash in the air fryer:
- What temperature to cook butternut squash in the air fryer:
- How to cook butternut squash in the air fryer...
- What can you season this butternut squash with?
- What does butternut squash pair well with?
- Can you use frozen butternut squash in this recipe?
- Can you reheat this butternut squash?
- How long do leftovers last?
- Tools needed to make this recipe:
- Other air fryer recipes you might like:
This air fryer butternut squash recipe is...
- Crispy
- Caramelized
- Customizable
- Versatile
- Clean
- Made with only 3 ingredients!
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Naturally sweet
- Satisfying
- The perfect Thanksgiving butternut squash!
I'm not sure there's a whole lot better in the food world than when the appliance does all the hard work for you! Just toss your veggies, oil, and salt together, give it a quick air fry and these crispy veggies are ready to enjoy!
Recipe ingredients:
- Butternut squash - pick one with smooth skin and orange skin undertones
- Olive oil - I prefer extra virgin olive oil for flavor
- Salt - sea salt or kosher salt are best, but table salt also works!
How's that for a short ingredient list?! Simple, effective, and delicious every time! See below for my list of ingredient substitutes.
Ingredient substitutions
- Squash - other hard and naturally sweeter winter squash like kabocha or delicata can also work. Cut your pieces small and watch for air frying time, however.
- Oil - avocado oil or melted coconut oil can easily work in place of the extra virgin olive oil
- Seasonings - see my list below for optional additional seasoning combinations for this squash, though just salt is totally delicious, too
How to cut a butternut squash?
Here is how to cut a butternut squash:
- Wash the squash and pat it dry
- Cut off the stem and base of the squash with a sharp chef's knife
- Peel the skin off the squash with a vegetable peeler
- Cut the squash lengthwise through the center.
- Scoop the butternut squash seeds out of the squash.
- Cut the squash into ½-inch cubes: cut the halves lengthwise into ½-inch thick pieces, then cross-wise ½ inch-thick pieces. Finally, cut one more time length-wise to create ½" cubes.
Can you use pre-peeled & cut butternut squash for this recipe?
Yes, you can definitely use pre-peeled and pre-cut squash for this recipe. It can save you a bit of time and hassle, making this recipe even more accessible.
If you buy pre-cut, however, just make sure that the squash pieces are the right size. So, if the pieces are 1-inch cubes, cut them down to be ½"-inch cubes for this recipe.
Do you need to peel butternut squash before cooking?
Yes, butternut squash skin is thick so we will need to peel the squash before using it in this recipe.
Is butternut squash keto friendly?
Consult a nutritionist for an official verdict on this, but butternut squash can fit into a low carb or keto lifestyle if consumed in moderation.
One serving of this recipe is estimated (please see the nutrition portion on the recipe card for the complete estimation and recipe disclosure) to offer between 15-20 grams of carbohydrate and around 6 grams fiber, making it a lower carb option but not as low carb as summer squashes like zucchini or yellow squash.
So, talk to your nutritionist and consider your nutrition goals when determining if this recipe fits into your diet!
How do you know when butternut squash goes bad?
You know that your butternut squash has gone bad when it demonstrates any of the following characteristics:
- The flesh is slimy -- if you've stored a cut butternut squash and it is now slimy, that is a sign that it has gone bad.
- Mold or fuzz -- this is also a sign that your squash is no longer good.
- Soft spots -- if there are soft spots on the squash peel or flesh, those areas are no longer good. You can cut around them to see if the flesh surrounding them is still good to eat, however.
How to pick a good butternut squash:
Here's what to look for in a good butternut squash:
- A smooth skin - the fewer the blemishes or discolored spots, the better
- High density - the heavier the squash is for its size, the sweeter the veggie will be
- In season - as much as I wish I could eat butternut squash year-round, the best squash is usually in season, or between late summer and the end of December
How long to cook butternut squash in the air fryer:
We will cook ½-inch cubed butternut squash in the air fryer for 18-20 minutes, or until the squash is cooked through and caramelized to your degree of liking!
If your squash is cubed larger or smaller, increase or decrease the cooking time accordingly.
What temperature to cook butternut squash in the air fryer:
For best results, we want to cook our butternut squash at a high temperature, or 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to cook butternut squash in the air fryer...
- Cut the butternut squash into ½" cubes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Toss the squash with olive oil and salt until combined.
- Add the squash to the air fryer basket or sheet and air fry for 18-20 minutes, shaking the basket or sheet every 5 minutes.
- Remove the squash from the air fryer and serve hot!
Stirring the butternut squash, olive oil, and salt together 
Add the squash to the air fryer Air fry until crispy and caramelized
What can you season this butternut squash with?
Though this squash is delicious as-is, you can also jazz it up with my two favorite additional seasoning combinations:
- ½ teaspoon cumin + ¼ teaspoon chili powder -- for a touch of savory spice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon ground ginger -- for a warmly spiced and fall-inspired flavor
If using one of these blends, add it to the squash along with the salt before air frying and continue with the recipe as directed.
What does butternut squash pair well with?
This air fryer squash recipe is very versatile. It's quick and easy enough for a weeknight dinner, yet also special tasting enough to be a Thanksgiving side dish. Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve it with:
- Brined Turkey Breast
- Sliced ham
- Roasted Pork Tenderloin
- Roasted Salmon
It's also delicious served alongside...
- Blistered Green Beans
- Roasted Broccoli
- Mashed Potatoes
- Cranberry sauce
- Quick No-Yeast + No-Knead Dinner Rolls
Can you use frozen butternut squash in this recipe?
I don't recommend using frozen butternut squash in this recipe. Although the quality of frozen squash is generally good, the moisture content in the vegetable is higher, making the end result mushy and harder to crisp up.
If time or hassle are an issue for you, however, and you are looking to save time I recommend I recommend using pre-cut and peeled squash. 🙂
Can you reheat this butternut squash?
Though you technically can reheat this butternut squash, this recipe is best served straight out of the air fryer.
The longer this recipe sits outside of the air fryer, the more it will lose its crisp. Though you can reheat it, it won't have the same crispy finish as it did fresh (though the flavor is still delicious!).
How long do leftovers last?
The leftovers will last covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, though they won't be as crispy as fresh.
Tools needed to make this recipe:
- Cutting board
- Vegetable peeler
- Chef knife
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Air fryer (I use the Ninja Foodi Tendercrisp)
Other air fryer recipes you might like:
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Zucchini
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Kale Chips
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
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Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Whether if you're looking for a new way to serve a squash or looking for a healthier holiday side dish, this Air Fryer Butternut Squash is sure to be a win!
Make this recipe as-is or add a little flair with my recommended seasoning combos (below, in the notes). Either way, this air fryer squash is a clean, delicious, and naturally gluten-free and vegan recipe!
Ingredients
- 5.5 -6 cups butternut squash, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for 3-5 minutes.
- In a medium-size mixing bowl, toss together the butternut squash, oil, and salt until combined.
- Add the squash to the air fryer roasting pan or basket and spread out into an even layer.
- Air fry the squash for 18-20 minutes, shaking the basket or tray every 5 minutes, or until the squash is cooked through and caramelizing/browning to your preferred degree of doneness.
- Serve hot!
Notes
1. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, as it is the crispiest then. Leftovers last covered in the fridge for 4-5 days, though aren't as crispy when reheated.
2. Spice up your air fryer squash by tossing either of the spice combinations with the squash, oil, and salt before air frying:
- ½ teaspoon cumin + ¼ teaspoon chili powder -- for a touch of savory spice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon ground ginger -- for a warmly spiced and fall-inspired flavor
3. Pre-peeled and cut butternut squash works for this recipe. If the pre-cut cubes are too large, just trim them down to ½" cubes.
4. Frozen butternut squash does not work well for this recipe.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 88Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 184mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 6gSugar 4gProtein 2g
This nutrition breakdown is just an estimate of the nutritional value of this recipe and cannot be taken as facts. The owners of Mae's Menu are not nutritionists or dietitians and therefore cannot be held accountable for this nutrition estimate. Please contact your nutritionist or medical professional for a nutritional breakdown of this food. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
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