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Whether you are looking for a simple side dish, a healthy snack, or a creative addition to your favorite dinner, this Air Fryer Butternut Squash has you covered! It is a slightly sweet and savory dish cooked to perfection in 30 minutes.
If you have ever wondered how to cook squash in the air fryer, this recipe is for you. I take you step-by-step through the easy process to make the perfect air fryer butternut squash cubes. They have the best texture – a delicious combination of crispy on the outside and tender and buttery on the inside.
I love making butternut squash recipes in the air fryer because you can fix a quick, easy, and delicious dish in much less time than other cooking methods. The high heat of the air fryer also caramelizes the natural sugars in the squash, creating a deliciously sweet flavor. This tasty side dish also pairs well with a variety of main courses and other side dishes!
If you are looking for more squash-inspired recipes, try my air fryer squash, sausage and butternut squash pasta, or sausage and veggies.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy. Cooking squash in the air fryer is twice as fast as baking in the oven, making it a convenient and time-saving recipe. For reference, baking butternut squash can take over an hour, whereas butternut squash in the air fryer takes 30 minutes!
- Healthier. Air fryer squash recipes require less oil than other cooking methods, making this a healthier option for cooking butternut squash. The simple ingredients also make this dish an overall nutritious option.
- Versatile. Air fried butternut squash can be served as a side dish, added to salads and soups, or used as a base for other recipes. It is a multi-tasking superhero of a recipe!
Ingredients
Below are the simple ingredients you will need to make this butternut squash air fryer recipe. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Butternut Squash: You will need either 1 large butternut squash or 2 small butternut squash to make 3 cups of cubed squash. Always peel and de-seed the squash before cubing.
- Avocado Oil: The neutral flavor is perfect for this recipe and the high smoke point is safe for making this butternut squash recipe in the air fryer.
- Maple Syrup: Adds a sweet and caramelized flavor to air fryer squash. If you don’t want a sweet flavor, just skip the maple syrup for a more savory dish!
- Seasonings: A savory combination of garlic powder, onion powder, dried sage, black pepper, and salt make this recipe simply delish!
How to Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Below are photos and recipe steps for how to air fry squash. You will also need an air fryer, vegetable peeler, knife, cutting board, and cooking spray.
Season the squash
Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Peel and cube the butternut squash into 1-inch cubes, then set aside in a large mixing bowl. Then add the oil, maple syrup, and seasonings to the bowl of butternut squash and toss until well combined.
Air fry the squash
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then place the butternut squash cubes in the air fryer basket in an even layer. Air fry butternut squash for 22-24 minutes, tossing halfway through to make sure it cooks evenly and becomes fork tender. Then serve!
Serve
Make butternut squash in the air fryer and enjoy it as a snack with your favorite dipping sauce, add it to soups or curries, on top of salads, or as a side to a main meal – from breakfast to dinner. Below are some of our favorite recipes to serve with fried squash in the air fryer.
- Chicken and Mushrooms
- One Pan Pork Chops and Veggies
- Roasted Red Pepper Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
- Grilled Chicken Thighs
Tips and Tricks
- Choose the right squash by looking for one that is firm, heavy for its size, and has smooth, unblemished skin. This indicates it is ripe and will have the best flavor and texture for butternut squash recipes in the air fryer.
- For easier prep, use pre-cut butternut squash or butternut squash fries. Just make sure you use raw, fresh squash. Avoid frozen when making butternut squash recipes in the air fryer, as it will have too much moisture and may result in a mushy end result.
- Arrange the squash in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This will allow the hot air to circulate and help the squash cook evenly. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer to avoid overcrowding the basket.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash FAQ
Storage of this squash recipe is very simple! Allow to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the squash in the air fryer or the microwave until warmed through.
Yes, this recipe is gluten free when prepared as described.
Before cooking squash in the air fryer, it is important to completely remove the peel. While the peel is safe to eat, you will get the best air-fried texture if it’s removed. Chop off each end of the squash with a sharp knife then use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin before chopping into cubes.
I recommend using a cooking spray with a high smoke point and healthy fats, such as avocado oil spray. It will also match the oil on the butternut squash for the same mild flavor. Alternatively, you can use olive oil spray or grapeseed oil spray if desired.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 3 cups cubed butternut squash, about 1 large or 2 small butternut squash
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp dry sage
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Peel and cube your butternut squash into 1-inch cubes, then preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Toss the cubed butternut squash in the oil, maple syrup, and seasonings.
- Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray, then place the butternut squash cubes in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 22-24 minutes, tossing halfway through to make sure it cooks evenly. Serve!
Notes
- You can also use pre-cut butternut squash or butternut squash fries instead! Just make sure you use raw, fresh squash. I did not test this recipe with frozen squash.
- These are really good in salads, in soups, or just served as a side dish!
- Feel free to skip the maple syrup if you want to keep this dish more savory. It’s totally optional!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
