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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    By: Jessica · Posted: Dec 5, 2020 · Updated: Oct 16, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    Jump to Recipe 2 comments
    5 from 18 votes

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash: An easy and healthy recipe that pairs perfectly with so many main dishes or can be a stand-alone lunch or dinner!

    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Serving: 3 cups
    Air Fryer Butternut Squash - Easy Recipe Side Dish

     

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    If you love air fryer recipes as much as we do, then saddle up your machines ladies (and gents) because this new healthy side dish recipe will easily end up on your weekly meal planning sheet like it has ours!

    Jump to:
    • Air Fryer Butternut Squash
    • Are you supposed to peel butternut squash before cooking?
    • How do you peel a butternut squash?
    • What does butternut squash pair well with?
    • How to cook butternut squash in the air fryer:
    • How long do you cook squash in an air fryer?
    • How do you serve air fryer butternut squash?
    • Recipe
    • More side dishes I think you’ll love:
    • Comments

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    Are you supposed to peel butternut squash before cooking?

    The skin is pretty tough so it is better peeled… but we also like to purchase the pre-cut, cubed, butternut squash that’s usually in the produce section at the grocery store.

    How do you peel a butternut squash?

    If you do have a whole squash and need to peel it, slice off the ends and pop it in the microwave for about 3 minutes. It will really soften the skin and then once it has cooled off enough to touch, you can stand it up on one end and slice the skin off with a knife.

    Or, this video on how to prepare, peel, and cut a butternut squash may be very helpful!

    What does butternut squash pair well with?

    It is a versatile side dish that pairs well with red meats, chicken, and even seafood! Our favorite dishes to serve this with are brats in the oven, Lasagna Stuffed Chicken, the BEST Steak Recipe, or these popular recipes…

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    How to cook butternut squash in the air fryer:

    For this recipe, I used a package of pre-cut, cubed butternut squash that comes in about 3 cups of squash. However, this recipe is VERY forgiving so if you don’t have quite that much or more than that, you should be ok!

    If you have a whole butternut squash, scroll up to see how to easily peel yours!

    Uncooked butternut squash for the air fryer

    In a bowl, add cubed butternut squash…

    Smoked paprika for butternut squash

    … the spices: cinnamon, smoked paprika (if you don’t have smoked that’s ok!), salt and pepper.

    Seasonings for butternut squash in air fryer

    Then add in the olive oil and mix together squash is evenly coated with oil and spices!

    Stir butternut squash is evenly covered with spices

    How long do you cook squash in an air fryer?

    You shouldn’t need to coat your air fryer with cooking spray since you’ve coated your squash in olive oil (but I know some air fryers suggest it, so feel free if you want to).

    Cook squash in 400° air fryer for about 20 minutes.
    (You can preheat if you want, but I don’t typically preheat my air fryer so sometimes I like to just add a couple of minutes on at the end if not cooked through.)

    Cook butternut squash cubes in air fryer

    Air fryer temperatures and settings can vary, so just know that your squash is done when it is tender to poke with a fork! (You don’t it crunch typically. I like to have it the consistency of a sweet potato!)

    Butternut Squash Cube cooked in air fryer

    How do you serve air fryer butternut squash?

    Serve your butternut squash warm and immediately after it’s done for best results. But reheated leftovers are just fine too!

    Cooked Butternut Squash in air fryer

    Have dried or fresh parsley hanging around? Sprinkle a little on for color, especially if entertaining!

    Your guests will think you worked super hard on a side dish that took VERY LITTLE effort. (One of my favorite characteristics of cooking!)

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash
    Butternut Squash Air Fryer

    Recipe

    Air fryer butternut squash, diced in small dish.

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    Jessica Burgess
    Air Fryer Butternut Squash: An easy and healthy recipe that pairs perfectly with so many main dishes or can be a stand-alone lunch or dinner!
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 80 kcal

    Equipment

    • air fryer

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups cubed butternut squash see tips in post for peeling squash
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional (and regular paprika is ok too!)
    • 1 pinch salt
    • 1 pinch pepper

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix together cubed butternut squash with olive oil and spices.
    • Place squash in air fryer basket and cook at 400° for 20 minutes or until squash is tender. (See notes for cooking tips.)
    • Serve warm!

    Notes

    If you do have a whole squash and need to peel it, slice off the ends and pop it in the microwave for about 3 minutes. It will really soften the skin and then once it has cooled off enough to touch, you can stand it up on one end and slice the skin off with a knife.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 370mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 11285IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords air fryer, butternut squash, easy side dish
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    Comments

      5 from 18 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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    1. Helene says

      September 30, 2022 at 3:04 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, just made this for the first time. I used pumpkin pie spice instead of just the cinnamon. I ate some with a bit of melted butter and sugar free maple syrup for dessert. Yummy.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        September 30, 2022 at 3:56 pm

        Oh yum!! I love that idea, thank you for sharing!

        Reply

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