Create a delicious side dish that complements any meal by preparing air fryer butternut squash with simple ingredients from your pantry. While butternut squash is a perfect addition to soups and purees, butternut squash cooked in the air fryer takes the sweet and savory vegetable to a new level of taste and texture.
Is Butternut Squash Good in the Air Fryer?
Air fryer butternut squash can be a timesaving and easy-to-make side dish that complements any meal. As it is, butternut squash requires little to no prep, and it’s delicious when cooked in an air fryer.
Air frying butternut squash is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it requires little to no oil and still produces crispy and caramelized results. The high heat and circulation of the air fryer cook the butternut squash quickly and evenly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Butternut Squash: The naturally sweet flavor of butternut squash makes it a versatile side dish; I cut them into bitesize pieces for fast cooking and easy meal prep.
- Avocado Oil: Lightly coat the squash with oil before air frying.
- Spices: Season the butternut squash with a simple combination of salt, garlic powder, and white pepper.
Additions and Substitutions
- I use avocado oil to coat the squash, but feel free to try other healthy fats like olive oil, bone marrow butter, or ghee.
- Do you prefer your butternut squash on the sweeter side? Toss the cooked air fryer butternut squash with maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, or pumpkin pie spice and satisfy your sweet tooth.
- For additional flavor and spice, consider seasoning the squash with herbs and spices like ras el hanout, cayenne, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, rosemary, sage, or thyme.
- Maybe you have other vegetables in the fridge that need cooking; consider combining complementary vegetables like onion or Brussels sprouts with the squash as they cook.
How to Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and prepare the butternut squash.
Step 2: Add the squash to a mixing bowl and coat with oil. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, and white pepper; stir to combine.
Step 3: Add the squash to the air fryer basket and cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Expert Tips
- Purchase butternut squash in season, usually between late summer and December. If you’re craving butternut squash out of season, I recommend purchasing frozen butternut squash and preparing that.
- Select squash with smooth skin. It should be firm and free of soft spots and blemishes. Also, the heavier the squash, the sweeter it will be.
- I use an Instant Vortex Air Fryer, so if you’re using something smaller, then be prepared to arrange the squash in a single layer and cook them in batches.
If you love this recipe, try one of these air fryer favorites!
How to Prepare Butternut Squash
This video demonstrates how to cut a butternut squash for the air fryer.
Step 1: Cut off the stem and base of the butternut squash. Peel the skin using a vegetable peeler.
Step 2: Cut the squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
Step 3: Cut the squash into 1/2-inch cubes.
Serving Suggestions
Butternut squash is a versatile vegetable that pairs well with any entree. Here are some suggestions for what to eat with butternut squash:
- Entrees: Roasted Chicken with Moroccan Spices, Pork Chops, Sriracha Salmon, Bison Steak Recipe, Air Fryer Ribeye Steak, Tandoori Turkey
- Vegetables: Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes
- Salad: Fall Kale Salad
- Grains: Pasta, Orzo, Brown Rice, Dinner Rolls
What to do with the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store leftovers in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
- Freeze – Wait for the squash to cool. Then, add the leftovers to a freezer-safe container or bag. Air fryer butternut squash will keep in the freezer for 6 months.
- Reheat – While they won’t be as crispy as they were made fresh, warm leftovers in the microwave or air fryer at 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of butternut squash?
Butternut squash is a highly nutritious vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s nutrient-dense and may contribute to improved immunity, a lower risk of chronic diseases, aid digestion, and support healthier skin and hair.
Do I need to peel the squash?
Surprisingly, the skin is edible, so you don’t need to peel it. However, the texture is off-putting to some, so I recommend peeling the butternut squash before cutting it into pieces.
Does the air fryer make it crispy?
Yes, but it’s more of a tender crispiness since they’re air fried rather than deep fried.
Can I use frozen butternut squash?
While you can cook frozen butternut squash in the air fryer, the results may not be as tasty as if you were to use fresh or thawed butternut squash; this is because frozen butternut squash tends to release a lot of moisture, which can prevent it from becoming crispy in the air fryer.
More Vegetable Recipes:
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and prepare the butternut squash.
- Add the squash to a mixing bowl and coat with oil. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, and white pepper; stir to combine.
- Place the squash in the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Purchase butternut squash in season, usually between late summer and December. If you’re craving butternut squash out of season, I recommend purchasing frozen butternut squash and preparing that.
- Select squash with smooth skin. It should be firm and free of soft spots and blemishes. Also, the heavier the squash, the sweeter it will be.
- I use an Instant Vortex Air Fryer, so if you’re using something smaller, then be prepared to arrange the squash in a single layer and cook them in batches.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Sarah L.
Monday 13th of February 2023
This air fryer butternut squash recipe is a game-changer! I never knew how to make butternut squash crispy until now. It came out perfectly caramelized and delicious, definitely a new staple in my meal prep. Thank you for sharing!