Air fryer butternut squash is an awesome vegetable loaded with nutrients and flavor. If you’re a fan of roasted butternut squash, then you’re going to love this air fried version just as much!

Air Fryer Butternut Squash in a basket

Easy Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe

This recipe is one of those quick and easy recipes that will be your go-to. It’s so simple to learn how to cook butternut squash in the air fryer. The texture of the squash is just like roasting in the oven but even crispier! With some added seasonings and little olive oil spray, you get a fantastic butternut squash side dish that’s healthy and easy. You don’t need much oil at all and the flavor comes out delicious.

Video: Recipe for Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer:

How to Air Fry Butternut Squash

This is the perfect vegetarian, vegan and plant based recipe.  The butternut squash can be served as a side dish for any occasion, especially for holidays. Air fried butternut squash is fantastic as  Thanksgiving side dish that won’t take up the oven or stove. It is also great for any time of the year.

  • Start with fresh butternut squash. Peel squash and cut into cubes and season with oil and seasonings.
  • Make sure to cut the squash cubes evenly so you can have even cooking. If you cut them into random pieces, the big pieces will still be raw and small pieces will be burnt.
  • Frozen butternut squash is ok, it’ll be mushy. Fresh is always better!
  • Add additional seasonings like paprika, ground cumin, chili powder of curry. All these flavors can make your dish delicious with an International flavor.
  • Add to air fryer basket and cook until tender. More recipe details in the recipe box below.
cooked butternut squash in air fryer basket

How To Serve Butternut Squash

  • It’s the perfect vegetable side dish to roasts, turkey and grilled meats.
  • Add the crispy squash on top of a salad or add your favorite salad toppings on it. Squash salad is one of our favorite lunch dishes.
  • Chopped nuts, cheese and dried fruit are just a few options to add to the squash for extra crunch and flavor.
  • The squash is great in tortillas for butternut squash quesadillas or tacos! We love making vegetarian butternut squash tacos made in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash AirFryerWorld.com

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Sizes of this squash varies so much. Cooking time is approximate and depends on the size you cut the squash. If the squash is cut smaller, it’ll cook faster and become crispier. Bigger pieces will require more cooking time and more shakes and stirs.  If your air fryer is small, you'll have to cook this in batches.
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Ingredients

  • 1 small butternut squash (1.5 pounds), peeled and cut into 1/2” cubes
  • 2 Tablespoons oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt , or to taste
  • black pepper , to taste

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Cut and peel butternut squash into bite sized pieces, about 1/2" cubes.
    Air Fryer Butternut Squash AirFryerWorld.com
  • Whisk together oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add butternut squash cubes and toss in marinade to coat all squash pieces.
    Air Fryer Butternut Squash AirFryerWorld.com
  • Add the squash to air fryer basket (if you have a small air fryer, cook it in two batches). Try to keep the squash in a single layer for more even cooking.
    Air Fryer Butternut Squash AirFryerWorld.com
  • Air Fry at 380°F for 20-24 minutes. After cooking for 10 minutes, shake and turn the squash, then continue cooking for the remaining 10 minutes or until the squash is tender.
    Serve warm.
    Air Fryer Butternut Squash AirFryerWorld.com

If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 128kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 587mg, Potassium: 499mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 15191IU, Vitamin C: 30mg, Calcium: 68mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Side Dish, Vegetables
Cuisine: American
Calories: 128

Can you freeze air fryer butternut squash?

Yes! It’s a great make-ahead meal prep vegetable dish. Just make sure to allow the squash to cool completely before freezing. Also, Don’t cut the squash too small because when it thaws, then when you re-heat the squash it can be too mushy. So it’s better to cut the squash in about at least 1″ cubes. This is a good size for freezing and thawing and re-heating.

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