Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Air Fryer Butternut Squash is such an easy recipe to make. Not only does it offer the best tender bites, but the natural sweetness really shines through. If you are looking for a simple side dish loaded with flavor, what more could you want? 

Cooking butternut squash in the air fryer proves that the air fryer can really cook anything. What used to take a long time in the oven is now just minutes in the air fryer. Plus, it’s done to perfection each time! 

What I really love about this butternut squash air fryer recipe is that it takes just four simple ingredients to make. Perfect for healthy eating and a quick and easy recipe. 

Why Should I Make Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer 

The hot air in the air fryer brings out the natural sweetness quickly, making cooking a total breeze. I find that the squash cooks more evenly and is less likely to be hard in one spot and softer in another.

Plus, you can cook quite a bit of it at once, so you will have more than plenty for leftovers! 

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Butternut squash – Preparing butternut squash isn’t hard. Just make sure it’s peeled, the seeds removed, and chopped into 1″ cubes.
• Olive oil – Added to the squash to add moistness and hold the seasonings. 
• Salt & Pepper – For taste. 

How To Peel and prepare a Butternut Squash

To peel the butternut squash, the first thing that has to happen is to wash and clean the outside well. Once that is done, you can use a vegetable peeler to peel off the skin.

I like to chop off the ends of the squash. That way, I can sit it on the end and have a flat surface to help hold it steady while peeling it. 

Once peeled use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. You don’t need to throw them away. Roast them!

How To Cook Air Fryer Butternut Squash

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400° F
2. Add the chopped butternut squash to a large bowl along with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the squash evenly.
3. Spread the butternut squash evenly over the air fryer tray.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the squash is tender enough to pierce with a fork.
5. Serve.

Storing Butternut Squash

Storing this squash the right way before cooking it isn’t hard, but doing it right is needed to extend its shelf life. 

Don’t store it in the fridge, but do store it in a cool and dark place. A pantry would be a great place to store it until you are ready to cook and use it. 

What does butternut squash taste like? 

There are actually quite a few different flavor notes in this type of squash. It has a slight sweetness to it, which is great because that means that you don’t have to add excess sugar if you don’t want to.

Some people say that it reminds them of a sweet potato, while others will say that it tastes a lot like a pumpkin. 

Do I have to peel butternut squash? 

You don’t! If you want to cook the butternut squash with the skin on, you can. In fact, a lot of people do this and love it. 

Leaving the skin on is a great way to ensure that the squash holds together, staying in one piece.  When the squash is cooked just scoop the flesh out and discard the skins.

The same rule applies, however, if you decide not to peel the squash. Clean the outside really well so that you get rid of any dirt and grime. 

Can I roast butternut squash in the oven? 

You can! (I told you that this was a versatile recipe, right?) All you need to do to roast butternut squash is to follow the exact same recipe BUT cook it in the oven for 30-35 minutes. 

Oven cooking takes longer than air fryer cooking, but you’ll still get that same delicious taste. 

Ways to use Butternut Squash

There are so many options for how you can use cooked squash! You can serve it as a simple side dish and pair it with any entree easily. It goes well with all types of meat and pasta dishes.

You can also add a tad bit of honey or top or some brown sugar and make it into more of a sweet treat than a savory one. 

If you love the idea of having easy side dishes for the holidays, this is a good one to have on your radar. 

How to store leftovers

Once the squash is cooked, you do need to make sure that you properly store the leftovers. Let the air-fried squash cool completely, then add it to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.  

You might notice that the next day there is some excess liquid in the storage container from the squash. This is normal because as the squash continues to cool overnight, it will release liquid into the container. 

More Squash Recipes

• Maple Air Fryer Acorn Squash
• Air Fryer Delicata Squash
• The Ultimate Baked Acorn Squash
• Butternut Squash Risotto
• Zucchini Pizza Boats
• Spinach and Delicata Squash Salad