Life is all about balance, and sweet and savory Air Fryer Butternut Squash brings just that to any dinner plate. Just a touch of maple syrup adds earthy sweetness to tender cubes of butternut squash with cinnamon and nutmeg. This easy vegetable side dish is vegan, gluten free and fits a variety of dietary plans.
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If candied yams and sweet potato casserole are a bridge too far for you in the pantheon of starchy orange vegetable side dishes, then air fryer butternut squash oughtta bring just the right touch of sweet to balance any plate.
Butternut squash cooks beautifully using almost every method (and believe me, I’ve tried them all – oven roasted, slow cooker, and instant pot), but we all know roasted vegetables always taste better. And butternut squash is no exception. The good news is, like many other veggies, you can “roast” butternut squash in the air fryer too. (Shh… it’s really a convection oven. Don’t tell the folks in marketing you know.)
And when this makes a real difference is at the holidays. You and I both know there’s never enough time or space for doing everything in the oven, and well, frankly, whole pies don’t fit in an air fryer. (At least not the ones I make.)
These air fryer butternut squash cubes come out just as crisp, tender, and caramelized as they would from oven roasting – and in half the time.
My favorite thing about this particular butternut squash recipe for the air fryer is its versatility. The base is super reliable (and absolutely crowd-pleasing) on its own but it layers really well with other flavors and textures, so go nuts! (Quite literally. Add nuts. I mean it. Whole new dish.)
How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer
Warm up any plate (and tummy) with these sunny little nuggets. Cinnamon-spiced Air Fryer Butternut Squash is a delicious, nutritious addition to any meal. Caramelized butternut squash complements a whole host of main dishes – and garnishes – so get creative! Bonus: this super simple side is a total space saver at the holidays.
Toss squash with olive oil, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Arrange in basket in an even layer. Cook at 370°F for 20 minutes; stir once halfway through. Drizzle with maple syrup. Cook at 370°F for 1 minute more. Stir in fresh sage, then serve.
Before You Begin: click here to get tips on selecting, peeling, and dicing butternut squash to help you prep for this recipe.
- Toss diced squash with olive oil and seasonings until evenly coated.
- Arrange in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer.
- Program to 370°F for 20 minutes. Stir once halfway through.
- Drizzle maple syrup over squash. Cook 1 minute more at 370°F.
- Toss once more and adjust seasoning to taste. Garnish with fresh sage and serve immediately.
Chef’s Tips
- Cook time can vary by 2-4 minutes based how big you dice your squash. Aim for 1″ pieces.
- Stir or shake at least once halfway through air frying. This will allow the cubes to brown relatively evenly on all sides.
- Cook time and temp are the same if you’re using an Instant Pot air fryer for butternut squash.
Seasonings and Garnishes
Bacon: cooked crispy and chopped; stir in when you add the maple syrup.
Nuts and Seeds: sprinkle with toasted, chopped pecans or roasted pepitas just before serving.
Fresh Herbs: No sage on hand? Try rosemary, thyme, or parsley.
Dried Cranberries: use alone, or mix with any of the above garnishes; you can sprinkle on just before serving, but I like to add them with the maple syrup so they plump just a bit.
Curried: In a skillet, toast 1 tsp of curry and cumin, plus ½ tsp coriander in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil for 2-3 minutes and drizzle over air fried butternut squash cubes.
Unexpected Air Fried Butternut Squash Pairings
Butternut Squash is a wonderful alternative to starchier sides like roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes. Serve it as a sweet side to classic seasonal main dishes like Apple Chicken or as part of your Thanksgiving or Christmas spread.
But where I think butternut squash really shines is as an unexpected side! Swap in savory notes and enjoy:
- Prepared curry-style (see above), we love this as a side dish with Coconut Curry Chicken.
- Roast simply with salt and pepper and substitute it for the roasted potatoes in this Keema Ground Beef Curry.
Frequently asked questions
Not recommended, but you can in a pinch. Your results won’t be as good in the texture department – you’re going to wind up with something closer to steamed butternut squash and probably won’t get crisp edges. Cook from frozen and add 3-5 minutes to the cook time.
A naturally vegan vegetable side dish, butternut squash is full of fiber and loaded with vitamins A, C, and antioxidant beta carotene (perfect for a boost during cold and flu season). Don’t let its buttery taste fool you – it’s also virtually fat free.
This recipe is paleo as-is; if you’re on a Whole30, skip the maple syrup. Butternut squash itself is only keto by virtue of how many carbohydrates you consume. It is significantly lower in carbohydrates than other orange counterparts (e.g. sweet potatoes) so if paired with high fat, high protein meats, should make a well-rounded meal. Just mind your macros!
More Family Friendly Air Fryer Sides
- Air Fryer Apples
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Did you make this air fryer butternut squash? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 medium butternut squash (2.5 lb), about 6 cups, peeled, seeded, and diced into 1" cubes
- 2 tsp olive oil
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Chopped fresh sage, to taste
Instructions
- Combine the butternut squash with the olive oil, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl. Toss until the squash is evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.
- Arrange in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer.
- Program to 370°F for 20 minutes. Stir once halfway through.
- Carefully drizzle the maple syrup over the squash. Cook 1 minute more at 370°F to caramelize the natural sugars.
- Toss and taste for seasoning. Adjust the salt as needed. Garnish with fresh sage and serve immediately.
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