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Home » Blog

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

By Laurie
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Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Air Fryer Butternut Squash is slightly crispy on the outside and has fully tender insides. Makes an excellent side dish in 20 minutes!

Close up of Air Fryer Butternut Squash on a white plate on a table.

Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer

This butternut squash air fryer recipe is incredible! It takes about an hour in the oven, but you can have yours done in under 20 minutes in the air fryer!

Pumpkin season is in full swing, and what better way to get into the spirit than with some delicious cinnamon butternut squash? You can use this versatile vegetable in everything from soups to sides of roasted vegetables. Today I will show you how to make air fryer butternut squash, a new twist on this fall favorite. Air frying allows for healthier cooking without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Grab one butternut squash next time you go grocery shopping for your weekly meal prep or just as a side at dinner tonight!

If you love the taste of slow-roasted vegetables from the oven or crockpot, I hope that you try out these Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables. They are so good! Some more of my favorite recipes are AIR FRYER PARMESAN CRUSTED ZUCCHINI CRISPS, AIR FRYER SOUTHERN FRIED SQUASH, AIR FRYER CHILE RELLENO, and AIR FRYER PARMESAN TOMATOES.

Why You’ll Love This Butternut Squash Air Fryer Recipe

  • Quick & easy
  • Great for fall
  • Healthy
  • Delicious
  • Family friendly

What is butternut squash?

Butternut squash is a hard, orange, winter squash. It has a sweet, nutty flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. It’s usually orange outside, but it can also be green or yellow. Its skin is thin and edible, so it doesn’t have to be peeled before cooking! Butternut squash is a versatile vegetable that is often used in soups, stews, curries, risotto, and even desserts! The seeds are great to eat, either roasted or raw, on their own or with some salt!

If you’re new to cooking or looking for a way to spice up your repertoire, this butternut squash air fryer recipe is the perfect answer. The round orange vegetable looks like pumpkin and tastes similar to sweet potatoes. Butternut squash has a smooth texture with nutmeg hints. It can also be peeled and cut into cubes before boiling or steaming until tender. You can serve butternut squash as is or mash it with butter, salt, pepper, and brown sugar for a tasty side dish high in fiber!

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Top view of Butternut Squash, a ramekin of Olive Oil, a ramekin of Ground Cumin and Ground Cinnamon, and a shaker of Salt, and one of Black Pepper lying down on a worktop.
  • Butternut Squash
  • Olive Oil
  • Ground Cumin
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper

How To Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Step 1: Cut butternut squash

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Dice in Pieces
  • Preheat air fryer to 400˚F (200˚C), air fryer setting.
  • Peel the butternut squash and cut it into 1/2 inch cubes.

Step 2: Season with spices

Top view of glass mixing bowl with cubes of Air Fryer Butternut Squash tossed with Olive Oil and Spices.
  • Toss butternut squash pieces with olive oil, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.

Step 3: Air fry butternut squash

Top view of Butternut Squash being chopped into cubes on a wooden chopping board, with a knife lying next to some of the cubes.
  • Spread butternut squash pieces in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer (if the pieces don’t all fit in one layer, cook them in batches).
  • Cook for 15-18 minutes or until turning golden in color and fork-tender, shaking every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  • Remove the cinnamon butternut squash from the air fryer and serve.
Top view of a white dish filled with cubes of cooked butternut squash.

Pro Tips:

  • This recipe will work in any Air Fryer, Basket, or Oven Model. I have also cooked Butternut Squash in the Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Vortex, GoWise, PowerXL, Cosori, Instant Pot Crisp Lid, and Mealthy Lid. The butternut squash air fryer recipe remains the same for each model.
  • For best results, try to dice the butternut squash into equal-sized pieces, so they all cook up simultaneously.
  • Depending on your air fryer, you may need to shake your basket or flip the butternut squash during the cooking process.
  • You can purchase pre-washed and pre-cut butternut squash in the produce department for an even quicker side dish!
  • This recipe also works with frozen butternut squash.
White dish filled with cubes of cooked butternut squash.

FAQs

Is butternut squash keto friendly?

Butternut squash is a popular winter vegetable, and it’s also keto-friendly. But what about the sugars in butternut squash? If you’re looking to stay on track with your diet this fall, read below for all of the facts!
There are about 21 grams of total carbs, but since the fiber content is so high, butternut squash is about about 15 in net carbs in total.

How to pick a good butternut squash:

You may have seen butternut squash in the produce section of your local grocery store, but do you know how to pick a good one? Most people don’t. The truth is that there are many ways to tell if it’s fresh and ready for cooking – here are some easy tips!

First, make sure the skin has no dark spots or blemishes. Examine the stem end; it should be smooth with no cuts or cracks.

Check for any soft spots on the squash where there might be decay.

Finally, smell it! If it smells like strong cheddar cheese, then you’re in luck, because that means it’s ripe and just waiting to go into your favorite dish! You can also use these hints when selecting acorn squash.

How do you know when butternut squash goes bad?

Butternut squash has a shelf life of about 2 weeks before it starts to go bad.

Signs that your butternut squash is going bad are if the skin becomes less smooth and shiny with some wrinkles forming, or if you notice any mold on the surface. If you see these signs, discard them immediately.

Do you need to peel butternut squash before cooking?

I have been asked this many times, and the answer is no, it is unnecessary. In fact, leaving the skin on the squash means there will be more nutrients on your plate than if you remove them with a peeler!

How do you prepare the butternut squash for the air fryer?

The butternut squash is hard, orange winter squash. It has a sweet flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked.

It’s really optional whether you want to remove the skin, but use a vegetable peeler if you want to peel the skin for a great roasted flavor. Then, cut the butternut squash into similar-sized pieces. This way, they all cook up at the same time.

Can you use pre-peeled & cut butternut squash for this recipe?

Yes, this is a great way to save even more time. My local grocery store has a package of pre-washed and pre-cut butternut squash in the produce section!

Around the holidays, Costco and Trader Joe’s also sell their own variety already cut up!

What temperature to cook butternut squash in the air fryer:

Cooking the Air Fryer Butternut Squash at 400 degrees F, at air fryer setting, gives your butternut squash the same slow-roasted flavor that you will achieve when using a traditional oven. But, when using an oven, it will take about 45 to 60 minutes. By using the air fryer, you are looking at a cooking time of under 20 minutes

What type of spray or oil should you use for the air fryer?

A light coating of Olive Oil Cooking Spray will give your food just enough moisture to prevent it from drying out. When cooking, use a spray with an especially high smoke point so that the oil doesn’t burn or cause unwanted flavors in your dish. Some popular options are Avacado Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, and even Sunflower Oil.

For years, I have been warning people about the risk of using Pam and other Aersol sprays in the Air Fryer. They tend to remove the coating of the air fryer, so always go for a high smoke point oil to cook your food effectively and protect your air fryer.

More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes:

  • AIR FRYER SOUTHERN FRIED SQUASH
  • AIR FRYER PARMESAN CRUSTED ZUCCHINI CRISPS
  • EASY AIR FRYER ROASTED BROCCOLI WITH GARLIC
  • IR FRYER PARMESAN TOMATOES
  • AIR FRYER FROZEN GREEN BEANS
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
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Close up of Air Fryer Butternut Squash on a white plate on a table.
Print
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
18 mins
Total Time
28 mins
 

Air Fryer Butternut Squash is slightly crispy on the outside and has fully tender insides. Makes an excellent side dish in 20 minutes!

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer butternut squash
Servings: 4
Calories: 61 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1/2 butternut squash
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat air fryer to 400˚F (200˚C), air fryer setting.

  2. Peel the butternut squash and cut into 1/2 inch cubes.

  3. Toss the butternut squash pieces with olive oil, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.

  4. Spread the butternut squash pieces in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer (if the pieces don't all fit in one layer, cook them in batches).

  5. Cook for 15-18 minutes or until turning golden in color and fork-tender, shaking every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.

  6. Remove from air fryer and serve.

Recipe Notes
  • This recipe will work in any Air Fryer, Basket, or Oven Model. I have also cooked Butternut Squash in the Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Vortex, GoWise, PowerXL, Cosori, Instant Pot Crisp Lid, and Mealthy Lid. The recipe will remain the same.
  • For best results, try to dice the butternut squash into equal-sized pieces, so they all cook up simultaneously.
  • Depending on your air fryer, you may need to shake your basket or flip the butternut squash during the cooking process.
  • You can purchase pre-washed and precut butternut squash in the produce department for a quick side dish.
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Amount Per Serving
Calories 61 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 0.3g2%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Sodium 295mg13%
Potassium 337mg10%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 9970IU199%
Vitamin C 20mg24%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Air Fryer Butternut Squash

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Hello, I’m Laurie!

I’m a mom and a wife who loves to cook. I love to share what I learn. I work hard on using my appliances, Air Fryer and Instant Pot, to make my life easier, and hopefully, in return, your lives easier.

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