Air Fryer Butternut Squash is the perfect quick and easy side dish. Softened butternut squash bites coated in warm seasonings, melted butter and hints of sweet maple syrup will delight!
Want to save this post?
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you the latest recipes and tips every week!
Fall is here and so is squash season. Butternut squash is one of my favorite squashes to enjoy this time of year. You can bake, roast and even air fry it. These air fryer butternut squash bites can be the perfect side dish or a late afternoon snack.
Just like this air fryer sweet potato, air fryer butternut squash is super easy to make. The air fryer does all the work so you can have a delicious side or snack to enjoy. It only takes about 15 minutes to cook up. If you are wanting them a bit crisp, just 10-12 minutes.
The peeled, tender squash is coated with butter, sweet maple syrup, olive oil and tossed in a mixture of cozy warm fall spices. It tastes amazing with an entrée or by the handful as a healthy treat.
When I am serving as a side dish, I love to sprinkle some feta cheese and these candied almonds on top for some crunch. It is such a versatile dish that you can easily customize.
This dish is wonderful anytime of year but especially during the holiday season. It pairs so well with this crockpot mac and cheese or these air fryer brussels sprouts for Thanksgiving or any holiday celebration.
Ingredients
- Butternut squash: Choose a firm squash with no blemishes or soft spots. For this recipe, we will peel and dice into 1-inch cubes. You can also use store bought pre-cubed butternut squash for convenience.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter will add rich flavor to the squash. Unsalted is used so that you can have control over the taste.
- Maple syrup: Adds a layer of sweetness to the squash. You can also use honey in place.
- Olive oil: To coat the squash and prevent it from sticking to the air fryer tray.
- Garlic: A little is needed to give the squash a hint of garlic flavoring.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and cayenne pepper are the warm spices used for the spice mixture. If too spicy, you can omit the cayenne pepper.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Let’s start by preheating the air fryer. Then gather up our butternut squash, peeler, knife and seasonings to make this great side dish.
In a small dipping sauce cup, combine garlic with the other spices: cinnamon, cloves, cayenne, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Peel properly cleaned butternut squash and cut into 1-inch cubes.
Transfer the butternut squash into a large shallow bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add softened butter and pour on the maple syrup. Then, season with salt, black pepper, and the spice mixture.
Mix well until butternut squash is well-coated.
Gently transfer seasoned butternut squash onto the Air Fryer tray and slowly insert the tray into the middle cooking chamber near the rotisserie catch.
Air Fry seasoned butternut squash for 10 to 15 minutes. 10 to 12 minutes if you prefer a little crunch and up to 15 minutes for softer butternut squash bites.
Hint: make sure to spread the cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow even cooking and prevent steaming, which can make the squash less crisp.
Variations
- Add cheese - Top with your favorite cheeses such as parmesan, feta or goat cheese. The savoriness of the cheese taste perfect with sweet butternut squash.
- Add nuts - You can add a bit of crunch to the dish by topping the cooked butternut squash with your favorite chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts or candied almonds.
- Add fruit - Seasonal fruit goes so well with the butternut squash. Cranberries, craisins, pomegranate seeds, apple chunks or these air fryer apple slices add a layer of sweetness when paired with the squash.
- Oven roasted option - If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t despair. This recipe can be made in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Combine all ingredients into a large bowl. Toss until each piece of the squash is coated evenly in the mixture. Place individual squash pieces on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Flip highway so that the squash pieces roasts evenly.
Tips
Top tip: Be sure to cut the squash pieces about the same size so they cook up evenly in the air fryer.
- Air fryers all work differently. This recipe uses an Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven. It is best to keep watch the first time you make this recipe.
- Preheat the air fryer. When it is warmed up, the squash are ready to bake.
- Choose the right squash. You want a butternut squash that is firm without any blemishes or soft spots. You can also use pre-chopped butternut squash for convenience.
- Handle butternut squash with extra care while peeling. Peel the skin off then discard or enjoy if you like. The skin is edible!
- Mix well. All ingredients need to be combined well so that each piece of squash is evenly coated before placing in the air fryer.
- To lessen the spice, omit the cayenne pepper.
- If you prefer the squash to be crisp with a little crunch, let bake for 10-12 minutes.
- If you prefer the squash to be softer, let bake for 15 minutes.
- Avoid overcrowding. Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Each piece of squash should be laying on the tray so that air can easily move around.
- Keep watch. It is important to keep watch over the bites especially during the last 5 minutes of cooking to make sure the texture is to your liking.
- Check for doneness. Use a toothpick or fork to check for desired texture.
Serving suggestions
This butternut squash in the air fryer recipe can be enjoyed by itself as a snack or is an excellent side dish during the weeknights or during the holidays.
Air fryer butternut squash is the perfect side dish alongside this green bean casserole or these roasted cabbage steaks during the holiday season. Since this dish is so versatile, you can use some of the add-ins suggested above to really customize it for yourself and guests.
As a side dish, butternut squash in the air fryer pairs so well with most main dishes. I enjoy them with this baked lemon butter fish. It also accompanies these pan fried pork chops or these grilled BBQ chicken thighs on those busy weeknights.
Butternut squash bites are great to add to salad such as this apple salad with kale and almonds or this broccoli salad with bacon. They are also a great add in to your favorite grain bowls. It truly is an easy, go-to offering during the fall season.
Storage
Let cool, then refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
You can freeze butternut squash. The texture will change in freezing and thawing. Place any squash in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
FAQs
If the squash is too soft or has multiple blemishes, it should be discarded. If you cut into it and it appears moldy, throw it away.
Yes, I would recommend peeling with a vegetable peeler. The skin is tough and chewy when lends to a longer cook time to get the squash nice and soft.
The butternut squash cubes should be coated nicely in the seasonings, butter, maple syrup and oil. If you find that they still stick, spray the tray with cooking spray to ensure a well-coated surface.
Do not overcrowd the tray. Make sure the squash pieces are cooking in a single layer. Too many close together will cause them to steam instead of bake. You can also lessen the cook time down to 10-12 minutes for that crispy texture.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more recipes.
Recipe
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 2 cups butternut squash about 500 grams
- 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- kosher salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer at 370°F (188°C). Set at 15 minutes.
- In a small dipping sauce cup, combine garlic with the other spices: cinnamon, cloves, cayenne, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Peel properly cleaned butternut squash and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Transfer the butternut squash into a large shallow bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add softened butter and pour on the maple syrup. Then, season with salt, black pepper, and the spice mixture. Mix well until butternut squash is well-coated.
- Gently transfer seasoned butternut squash onto the Air Fryer tray and slowly insert the tray into the middle cooking chamber near the rotisserie catch.
- Air Fry seasoned butternut squash for 10 to 15 minutes. 10 to 12 minutes if you prefer a little crunch and up to 15 minutes for softer butternut squash bites.
Comments
No Comments