Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Air Fryer Butternut Squash makes a lovely Thanksgiving side dish to serve at your holiday gathering. Whole butternut squash requires almost no prep work and results in a delicious side dish to serve this holiday season.
Suitable for Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
Winter squash is popular throughout the fall and winter months because of its long shelf life. It makes a simple side dish, and air fried butternut squash can be used in various delicious recipes.
You can enjoy air fryer butternut squash as is or mash it and add the squash to other healthy recipes, and it cooks so much faster than baking.
Like Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan, Air fryer butternut squash is flavorful, warm, and comforting. The squash cooks up nutty and silky and complements any dinner entree, so you can serve it with almost any meal. The flavor is slightly sweet, nutty, and rich.
Roasted squash also cooks quickly, so it’s perfect for any night of the week. Make this easy butternut squash in air fryer and serve it with delicious Air Fryer Turkey Legs, this Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast, or Air Fryer Steak Bites for a quick and simple dinner the whole family will love!
Why Make This Recipe
- Simple – Just cut, season and cook. It doesn’t get any more simple than that.
- A Fall Favorite – Air Fried Butternut squash has a nutty, earthy flavor that pairs well with fall meals, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner.
- Great For Other Recipes – Roasted butternut squash lends incredible flavor to other recipes. After cooking butternut squash in air fryer, you can scoop out the flesh and use it in butternut squash soup, for mashed butternut squash, or as a filling for pasta.
Ingredient Notes
- Butternut Squash – Butternut squash can vary in size. Select a fresh squash that will fit into your air fryer basket.
- Olive Oil – Use your favorite light, neutral flavored oil, such as avocado oil or an olive oil spray.
- Maple Syrup – Use real maple syrup. You can also substitute with brown sugar.
- Salt – To taste.
- Fresh Thyme sprigs – For a fresh flavor. You can also use rosemary or sage.
- Walnut Pieces – Adds crunch. Substitute pecan pieces or omit them altogether.
Ready to make this air fryer butternut squash? Gather your ingredients and I will show you…
How To Cook Butternut Squash In Air Fryer
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F / 190 degrees C.
- Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
- Brush the butternut squash halves with olive oil and place them cut side up in the air fryer basket.
- Place a few thyme sprigs on each half, drizzle with the maple syrup and sprinkle on some salt.
- Cook for 25-30 minutes, or until tender.
- If desired: about 8 minutes before cook time is done, coat walnut pieces with maple syrup and place into the hollow of each half.
Expert Tips
- Larger squash may not fit into the air fryer basket, so choose the squash carefully.
- Cut butternut squash in half lengthwise with a sharp chef’s knife.
- To serve, cut each butternut squash half into one-inch squash pieces that look like half moons, or scoop out the roasted squash and mash.
- If the squash is not as tender as you would like, continue cooking for several minutes.
- The cooking time can vary depending on the size of the butternut squash and the make and model of your air fryer.
Delicious Variations
- Add Additional Seasonings – The simplicity of syrup and kosher salt is what makes this recipe appealing, but you can undoubtedly season the squash as you like. Try adding pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, or Italian seasoning for a savory version of butternut squash air fryer.
Prep Ahead And Storage
- Prep Ahead – If using for other recipes, cook the squash in the air fryer in advance.
- Store – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 4 days.
- Freeze – Mash the leftover squash and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat – Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in the air fryer until warmed through.
FAQs
It will take approximately 25-30 minutes to cook whole butternut squash in air fryer. This time will vary slightly depending on the size of your squash and the make and model of your air fryer.
When cooking whole, it is not recommended to peel the butternut squash skin. For recipes requiring cubed squash, peel first with a sharp vegetable peeler.
Typically when frozen, you can only find butternut squash cubes. For whole butternut squash, we recommend using fresh rather than frozen.
If you purchase cubed butternut squash, it can be roasted in the air fryer as well. Toss butternut squash cubes with the syrup and seasonings as directed. Turn the air fryer on to 380 degrees F / 193 degrees C. Cook 10 minutes, shake the butternut squash cubes in the basket, and cook an additional 5-7 minutes or until tender.
More Recipes You May Like
Why not try this Air Fryer Stuffing, delicious Air Fryer Corn Ribs, family loved Air Fryer Cabbage and this guest favorite Air Fryer Sweet Potato Pie.
Serving Suggestions
- Air Fryer Ham.
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast.
- Air Fryer Stuffing.
- Easy Air Fryer Green Beans.
- Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce.
- Instant Pot Brussel Sprouts.
Best Equipment To Use
- The Best Air Fryer.
- Awesome Air Fryer Accessories.
- Measuring spoons.
- Best ever sea salt flakes.
Weight Watchers Points
There are 2 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
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Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 1 Butternut Squash
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- Salt
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Walnut pieces optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F / 190 degrees C.
- Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
- Brush the butternut squash halves with olive oil and place them cut side up in the air fryer basket.
- Place a few thyme sprigs on each half, drizzle with the maple syrup and sprinkle on some salt.
- Cook for 25-30 minutes or until tender.
- If desired: about 8 minutes before cook time is done, coat walnut pieces with maple syrup and place into the hollow of each half.
Video
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Notes
- Larger squash may not fit into the air fryer basket, so choose the squash carefully.
- Cut butternut squash in half lengthwise with a sharp chef’s knife.
- To serve, cut each butternut squash half into 1-inch squash pieces that look like half moons, or scoop out the roasted squash and mash.
- If the squash is not as tender as you would like, continue cooking for several minutes.
- The cooking time can vary depending on the size of the butternut squash and the make and model of your air fryer.
- Storage – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 4 days.
- There are 2 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
