Air fryer butternut squash is such a quick and easy side dish. Using the air fryer is about to make your life so much easier.
This easy recipe creates a crispy texture on the outside with the perfect hint of savory seasoning.
It’s a healthy treat you can feel good about. Plus, its sweet flavor makes it a crowd-pleaser for the entire family.
Say hello to your new favorite side dish: air fryer butternut squash!
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
We all know that cooking in the air fryer is healthy, but it has bonus benefits, too!
- Crispy texture. Gone are the days of sad, soggy vegetables. Using the air fryer crisps everything to perfection. Everything (especially vegetables) tastes better fried!
- Quick cleanup. The great thing about the air fryer basket is it’s super easy to clean. Most baskets and trays are even dishwasher safe and polish up like new.
- Faster cooking time. Food cooks faster in the air fryer than other methods. It heats up quickly and cooks everything quickly and evenly.
Ingredients
Here’s all you need to make this delicious recipe:
- Butternut squash – Butternut squash has a sweetness similar to sweet potatoes, with savory, nutty notes. When air-fried, the crispy crust is to die for.
- Olive oil – Don’t worry, you don’t need a lot of oil. You just need enough to create a crispy crust. I like using olive oil because it also lends a nice, nutty complement to butternut squash.
- Spices – Here’s where things get interesting! Adding garlic, sweet paprika, onion, and salt draws out the flavor of butternut squash. It creates a great balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Do You Need to Peel Butternut Squash?
You don’t need to peel butternut squash, but you’ll want to. Like a potato, the skin is edible. However, once cooked, it becomes very papery.
If you don’t have time to peel the squash, no worries! It will still taste great, but the texture will be less than ideal.
How to Air Fry Butternut Squash
Making butternut squash in the air fryer couldn’t be easier. If you can chop, the air fryer does all the hard work. Here’s how easily this recipe comes together.
1. Prep the squash. Peel the skin from the squash and scoop out the seeds. Then, chop it into even 1/2-1-inch cubes.
2. Preheat. Set the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to preheat.
3. Combine the spices. In a large bowl, combine the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper and olive oil. Add the squash to the bowl and toss until everything is well coated.
4. Air fry. Add the squash to the air fryer in a single layer and cook it for 15-20 minutes. Be sure to shake the basket every few minutes so it cooks evenly.
5. Serve. Remove the butternut squash from the air fryer, serve, and enjoy!
What to Serve with Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is an incredibly versatile veggie and goes with just about anything. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve this veggie.
- Air Fryer Pork Chops – Keep that air fryer working with this tasty pork chop recipe. The savory notes from pork chops pair heavenly with the sweetness of butternut squash.
- Scrambled Eggs – Adding veggies to scrambled eggs is a great way to make them filling and healthy. The sweetness from the eggs is great with the spices in the butternut squash.
- Chicken Milanese – Crispy fried chicken and delicious butternut squash? Yes, please! The duo of chicken and butternut squash is comfort food at its finest.
- Olive Garden Salad – Toss it over a crisp salad, like the Olive Garden copycat recipe. It’s a great way to make a healthy salad even more filling and satisfying.
How to Store
Another great thing about this easy recipe is leftovers keep incredibly well. Here’s everything you need to know about storing leftover butternut squash.
- To Store: Allow leftovers to cool completely, then transfer them to an air-tight container or freezer bag. They will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days when stored in the fridge.
- To Freeze: You can also pop leftovers in the freezer, too! Give them a quick flash-freeze on a baking tray, and then load them into a freezer bag. You can store them in the freezer for 3-4 months.
- To Reheat: If frozen, thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating. Then, pop them back into the air fryer to cook for about 5 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they will lose their crispiness.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
4
servings10
minutes15
minutesThis air fryer butternut squash is an easy and healthy side dish the family will love. Using the air fryer is quick, easy, and so efficient!
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash, cubed (about 4 cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Peel and scrape the seeds from the squash. Cut it into evenly-sized 1/2-1 inch cubes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the olive oil with the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the squash cubes and toss until well coated.
- Arrange the butternut squash in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Some overlapping is okay. Work in batches, if needed.
- Cook it for 15-20 minutes, shaking every 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and tender. Repeat with the remaining squash cubes.
- Serve the squash hot with your choice of main course. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the cooking time to the size of the cubes. Larger pieces will need closer to 20 minutes, while smaller cubes should be tender after 15 minutes.
- For crispy butternut squash, don’t overcrowd the basket. The more overlapping, the more the squash will steam, not roast.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of brown sugar to the spice mix to enhance the flavor. Or add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne to make it spicy.
- For extra crispy squash, turn the air fryer to 400°F for the last 5-10 minutes.