Air fryer butternut squash cubes are silky smooth on the inside with caramelized edges. This cozy side dish is so easy to make. In fact, you can make it in half the amount of time it would take to cook in the oven. Plus it's gluten free, dairy free, paleo and vegan.
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I love butternut squash! While it's known as a winter vegetable, you can use it for so many things year round. For instance, have you tried my vegan mac and cheese? It gets it's cheesy flavor from...you guessed it...butternut squash!
Not only is it versatile and delicious, butternut squash is know as a winter superfood. It's packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
And, now you can enjoy the sweet roasted flavor of this healthy root veg in half the amount of time it would take to cook in your oven. All you need is an air fryer and a few spices.
Let's dig in!
Top Tip: You might also enjoy Air Fryer Carrot Fries.
Ingredients
- Butternut Squash: Choose a butternut squash that's pale beige in color with no obvious puncture wounds. I've also given instructions for making frozen butternut squash cubes in your air fryer below. You'll need a 1 pound bag of butternut squash if you want to use frozen squash cubes.
- Olive Oil: As always, I recommend using the best quality olive you can afford. The flavor of a great olive oil really makes a difference.
- Garlic Powder: We'll be using garlic powder in this recipe, not fresh. Fresh garlic tends to burn and turn bitter in the air fryer.
- Onion Powder: Sharp, and a little sweet, onion powder is the perfect compliment to butternut squash.
- Smoked Paprika: I used smoked paprika because I thing the smoky flavor complements the sweetness of the squash, but if you want to spice it up a bit you could use hot paprika powder.
- Salt & Pepper: Salt and pepper are key ingredients in my 5 spice combo! Don't skimp on either.
How To Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat it to 380ยฐ F (195ยฐ C). Lightly grease your insert.
- Using a sharp peeler, peel the butternut squash.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the butternut squash in half lengthways. Scoop out the seeds and cut the flesh into ยฝ inch cubes.
- In a large mixing boil combine the oil and spices.
- Add the butternut squash to the bowl and toss until it's evenly coated in the oil and spice mixture.
- Spread your butternut squash in an even layer (not overlapping) in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in two batches. Cook for 20 minutes, shaking the air fryer to turn the pieces over at the halfway point. If you cut your cubes smaller than ยฝ inch, you'll need to adjust the cooking time to 10-15 minutes.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash From Frozen
You can use a 1 pound bag of frozen butternut squash instead of fresh if you want to. You don't need to defrost it. Simply follow these steps:
- Preheat your air fryer to 380ยฐ F (195ยฐ C). Lightly grease the insert.
- Combine the olive oil and spices in a large mixing bowl. Dump the bag of frozen butternut squash cubes into the bowl, and turn everything over with a spoon to ensure it's coated in the oil and spice mixture.
- Spread an even layer of frozen butternut squash in the basket of your air fryer. Be careful not to overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
- Air fry the frozen butternut squash cubes for 20 minutes, giving the basket a good shake at the halfway point.
*Please note that cooking times will vary depending on how big the cubes of butternut squash are. Smaller cube will require a shorter cooking time, and larger cubes a bit longer.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer butternut squash makes a a great side dish, or a vegan main. Here's a few suggestions:
- Serve as a side dish with my popular lentil loaf.
- Toss it with some rice cooker Puy lentils for a tasty vegan main.
- Use air fryer butternut squash as a filling in a Just Egg Omelette.
- Let it cool and toss it into a sweet potato salad.
- Eat these air fryer butternut squash chunks on their own with a vegan garlic aioli.
Did You Make This Recipe
If so, I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @thisdailydish. Or, leave me a comment below. It makes my day, and your feedback helps other readers!
Frequently Asked Questions
Store in an airtight container, cooked butternut squash will stay fresh for 3-5 days.
You sure can! Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the cooked butternut squash out evenly on it. Freeze for two hours. Transfer to an airtight container or reusable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Other Air Fryer Recipes You Might Enjoy
Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Rolls With Puff Pastry
Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters - Courgette Fritters
Air Fryer Hashbrowns From Scratch
Chinese Salt And Pepper Chips - Oven and Air Fryer Method
๐ Recipe
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash (1.5 pounds) peeled, cleaned and cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
- ยผ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ยฝ teaspoon black pepper ground
Instructions
- If your air fryer requires pre heating, preheat it to 380ยฐ F (195ยฐ C). Lightly grease the insert.
- Using a sharp peeler, peel the butternut squash.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the butternut squash in half lenghtways. Scoop out the seeds and cut the flesh into ยฝ inch cubes. *see note 1
- In a large mixing bowl combine the oil and spices.
- Add the butternut squash to the bowl and toss until it's evenly coated in the oil and spice mixture.
- Spread butternut squash in an even layer (not overlapping) in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in two batches. Cook for 20 minutes, shaking the air fryer to turn the pieces over at the halfway point.
Notes
- If you cut the butternut squash cubes smaller than ยฝ inch, you'll need to reduce the cooking time.
-
You can use a 1 pound bag of frozen butternut squash instead of fresh if you want to. You don't need to defrost it. Simply follow these steps:
- Preheat your air fryer to 380ยฐ F (195ยฐ C). Lightly grease the insert.
- Combine the olive oil and spices in a large mixing bowl. Dump the bag of frozen butternut squash cubes into the bowl, and turn everything over with a spoon to ensure it's coated in the oil and spice mixture.
- Spread an even layer of frozen butternut squash in the basket of your air fryer. Be careful not to overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
- Air fry the frozen butternut squash cubes for 20 minutes, giving the basket a good shake at the halfway point.
nancy
i was looking for how long to air fry my BNS . thanks for the easy instructions
Kayla DiMaggio
Loving this Air Fryer Butternut Squash! Such a delight and the perfect side dish!
Jeannie
it turned out so flavorful, very easy and delicious too.
Keri Bevan
Hi Jeannie,
Thank you for letting me know! I'm pleased you liked the recipe.โค๏ธ
Andrea
love how quick, simple, and delicious recipe this is! so so good!
Keri Bevan
Hi Andrea, Aren't air fryea great for that? Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Angela
What a great idea to cook butternut squash in the air fryer! Done in half the time and I think it tastes better than in the oven. So good!
Amy
I love my air fryer so much and have been making so many dishes with it. I love your recipe because butternut squash is a favorite!
Keri Bevan
Thanks Amy! Glad you liked it!
Sandhya
I love air frying.. and these look like a fantastic side dish to enjoy.
Keri Bevan
Thanks, Sandhya...hope you enjoy them!
Jessie
Ooooh this is SUCH an amazing idea! I am still new to air frying and getting a handle on all the things it can do. I love that you included directions for frozen squash, too!
Keri Bevan
Thank you, Jessie! Hope you get as much use out of your air fryer as we do out of ours!x
Mirlene
These are a great side dish for my family to enjoy! They are easy to make and we love how it comes crispy on the outer edges!
Keri Bevan
Thanks, Mirlene - I'm glad you all enjoyed the recipe! x