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Air fryer butternut squash is so effortless to make! Cooking butternut squash in the air fryer makes the outside crispy while maintaining a tender interior. It also allows for the natural sweetness of the squash to shine through. We gently sprayed the cubed butternut squash with olive oil and seasoned it with spices. Once done, we added a touch of maple syrup to enhance the sweetness. It is a perfect side dish for many meals!
Table of Contents
- Why You Will Love Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Why Air Fry Butternut Squash?
- Ingredients For Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- How To Cut Butternut Squash Into Cubes
- How To Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Expert Tips
- How Long To Cook Cubed Butternut Squash In Air Fryer
- How To Serve Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Recipe Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Recipes To Try Next!
- AIR FRYER BUTTERNUT SQUASH Recipe
Why You Will Love Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Butternut squash cubes cook quickly in the air fryer!
- It is much faster than cooking butternut squash in the oven.
- Air fryer butternut squash is an easy and flavorful side dish.
- The seasonings enhance the flavor of the butternut squash.
- It is delicious on its own or as an addition to salads or bowls.
Why Air Fry Butternut Squash?
Air frying butternut squash makes it crispy on the outside while soft and tender on the inside. Also, butternut squash cubes cook much faster in the air fryer than in the oven. You will have a delicious side dish made quickly with little prep time.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Butternut Squash: Peel and chop the butternut squash into cubes or use pre-chopped butternut squash.
- Olive Oil: Spray the butternut squash cubes with olive oil or avocado oil. This ensures that the seasonings stick.
- Seasonings: Season the chopped butternut squash with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Maple Syrup: Add the air-fried butternut squash cubes to a bowl and drizzle with maple syrup.
How To Cut Butternut Squash Into Cubes
For this recipe, use pre-peeled and cubed butternut squash or chop one whole butternut squash into cubes. If you use a whole butternut squash, first peel it. Then, carefully cut the ends off and cut the squash in half lengthwise. After that, remove the seeds. From there, chop the butternut squash into even cubes.
How To Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Step 1: Peel the butternut squash and chop it into cubes or use pre-chopped butternut squash.
Step 2: Add the chopped butternut squash to a large bowl and gently spray it with olive oil so the seasonings stick. Then, add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice to the bowl.
Step 3: Thoroughly mix to coat the butternut squash cubes. After that, add them to the air fryer basket.
Step 4: Air fry the butternut squash and shake the air fryer basket a few times so it cooks evenly.
Step 5: Carefully remove the butternut squash cubes from the air fryer, drizzle maple syrup over them, mix, and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Buy Pre-Chopped Squash: To save time, buy pre-chopped butternut squash.
- Even-Sized Cubes: Use pre-chopped butternut squash or cut the butternut squash into even cubes so it cooks at the same rate.
- Spray With Oil: Spray the cubed butternut squash with olive oil so the seasonings stick. We used this oil sprayer.
- One Layer In Air Fryer: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, and make sure the cubed butternut squash is in a single layer, not toppled over one another. If the air fryer basket is overcrowded, the butternut squash will not cook evenly and won’t be as crispy.
How Long To Cook Cubed Butternut Squash In Air Fryer
Air fry cubed butternut squash for 18-22 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact time will depend on the size of the butternut squash cubes and your air fryer. We cut the butternut squash into 1-inch cubes. Make sure the butternut squash is cooked but not burnt. It is done when a fork easily goes through the butternut squash.
How To Serve Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- On Its Own: Enjoy this air fryer butternut squash on its own or with a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Add It To A Salad: Add some air-fried butternut squash to a salad or bowl.
- With Other Dishes: Serve it with our crispy air fryer green beans, slow cooker turkey chili, or cream of mushroom chicken.
Recipe Variations
- Add Some Heat: To add some heat to your air-fried butternut squash, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the bowl when seasoning them.
- What Oil To Use: Spray the butternut squash with olive oil or avocado oil.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup adds a sweet flavor to these butternut squash cubes. If you don’t want to use maple syrup, use 1-2 teaspoons of sugar instead or sugar-free maple syrup.
- Add Cinnamon: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, substitute it for 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Savory Flavor: For a savory and smoky flavor rather than a sweet one, you can omit the pumpkin pie spice and add 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Squash Good In The Air Fryer?
Yes, squash is good in the air fryer! It cooks quickly and becomes crispy on the outside. Cooking squash in the air fryer is an excellent method and is faster than baking it in the oven.
Can I Air Fry Frozen Butternut Squash?
You can air fry frozen butternut squash, but it won’t get as crispy as fresh butternut squash. If you use frozen butternut squash, don’t thaw it. Season it, place it in the air fryer basket, and air fry it. Depending on the size of the frozen butternut squash cubes, it may need less cooking time. Check on it and shake the basket a few times so it doesn’t burn.
Do You Have To Peel Butternut Squash?
While you could air fry the butternut squash with the skin on, it is not recommended. Make sure to peel the butternut squash for this recipe, or buy pre-chopped and peeled butternut squash cubes.
What Is The Flavor Profile Of Butternut Squash?
Butternut squash has a sweet flavor profile. Air frying butternut squash brings out its natural sweetness. Also, the seasonings we used complement the sweet flavor.
What Flavors Go Well With Butternut Squash?
You can enjoy butternut squash sweet and savory. For a sweet flavor, season the butternut squash with pumpkin pie spice and drizzle maple syrup over top once cooked. For a savory flavor, omit the pumpkin pie spice and maple syrup. Then, add 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
More Recipes To Try Next!
- Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Red Potatoes
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Copycat Panera Autumn Squash Soup
- Air Fryer Apples
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you. We hope you enjoy air fryer butternut squash!
AIR FRYER BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-1 ½ pounds peeled and chopped butternut squash
- olive oil spray or avocado oil spray
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Peel the butternut squash and cut both ends of the squash off. Then, carefully cut it in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and chop it into even-sized cubes, about 1 inch in width. Or, use pre-chopped butternut squash.
- Add the chopped butternut squash to a large bowl. Then, gently spray the butternut squash evenly with olive oil so the seasonings stick. After that, add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice to the bowl.
- Thoroughly mix to coat the butternut squash cubes. Then, add the butternut squash to the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket.
- Air fry the butternut squash at 375℉ for 18-22 minutes or until fully cooked. Shake the air fryer a few times while it is cooking so the butternut squash cooks evenly.
- Once done, carefully remove the butternut squash cubes from the air fryer, drizzle maple syrup over them, mix, and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Cinnamon: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, substitute it for 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Savory Flavor: For a savory and smoky flavor rather than a sweet one, you can omit the pumpkin pie spice and add ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
