These air fryer butternut squash fries are the perfect snack or side dish, especially in the fall. The crispy exterior and creamy interior make for a delicious bite. They make a great alternative to potato-based fries as well!
If you’re making a butternut squash dish for Thanksgiving, this is a great way to use up any leftover squash without it going to waste!
Check out another great way to upcycle Thanksgiving leftovers with these tasty cranberry air fryer puff pastry Brie bites!
How Long Do You Air Fry Butternut Squash Fries?
It generally takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook butternut squash fries in the air fryer. This can vary slightly depending on the thickness of your fries, as well as the size and power of your air fryer.
You want to make sure they get browned and crispy on the inside, while cooking all the way through so the center is tender.
If you enjoy the texture of these, then you’ll also like some air fryer parmesan polenta cakes!
How to Make Butternut Squash Fries in the Air Fryer
- Peel a butternut squash, and trim off the stem
- Cut squash in half lengthwise using a chef’s or Santoku knife
- Scoop out the seeds and pulp using a cutlery tablespoon (or similar)
- Cut squash flesh into fries that are approximately ½” thick and 3-4” long
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F following manufacturer guidelines
- Place squash fries in a bowl and toss with 1 Tbsp olive oil per pound and desired seasonings (See recipe card for seasoning recommendations)
- Add coated fries to preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some air space between each fry
- Cook on air fry setting for 15-20 minutes at 400°F, stopping to flip the fries or shake the basket every 5 minutes
- Fries are done when the outside is browned and crispy, and the inside is soft in the middle
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces
It’s important to keep the fries as uniformly sized as possible so they cook evenly, just like with these air fryer roasted butternut squash slices.
If you’d just like to use the stem of the squash, that’s totally fine as well! Cut the oil in half if you only use half the squash.
Save the bases for another recipe, such as your Thanksgiving spread, or this delicious air fry roasted butternut squash soup.
Alternatively, if the squash prep and cutting is too intimidating, you can often seasonally find pre-cut ones in the grocery store. Trader Joe’s butternut squash crinkle fries are one of my favorites, and allow you to get right to the cooking part.
Best Dipping Sauces for Butternut Squash Fries
- Garlic aioli
- Maple aioli
- Sriracha aioli
- Garlic parmesan sauce
- Curry mayo
- Curry ketchup
- Ketchup
- Ranch
- Lemon & herb sauce
- Chimichurri sauce
There are a variety of dipping sauces that are great for butternut squash fries. Choose one that coordinates with whatever seasonings you put on the fries during cooking, as well as one you’d enjoy!
Butternut squash pairs very well with thyme in terms of herb choices. You can even dry thyme in the air fryer to make sure you’ve always got some on hand!
Are Squash Fries Good in the Air Fryer?
Squash fries are good in the air fryer, and it’s a healthier alternative to deep frying them.
You’ll still achieve a crispy exterior and soft interior, with far less oil needed. That said, they still won’t be as crispy as the deep frying method, so you’ll need to set your expectations accordingly.
If you prefer the microwave for your squash cooking needs, check out our best acorn squash microwave recipes for some inspiration!
How Do I Keep My Butternut Squash Fries From Getting Soggy?
- Preheat your air fryer
- Pat your raw fries dry or coat them in cornstarch to remove moisture
- Coat fries equally and amply with oil
- Allow air space between fries during cooking
- Flip often to promote even cooking
- Spray additional oil as needed when flipping
These are the best tips for keeping butternut squash fries crispy and less likely to get soggy during cooking.
If you reheat the fries later, make sure to spray them with a little oil again at that time to help them re-crisp.
If you’re interested in some different tasty textures, then take a look at my best air fryer butternut squash recipes, and try a few today!
Final Thoughts
Crispy air fryer butternut squash fries are the perfect side dish for fall. Whether it’s alongside a burger or some air fryer turkey sliders they’re going to be delicious!
It’s a great way to use up half a butternut squash that’s leftover from making soup or a Thanksgiving dish! Not only that, squash has nearly 50% less calories than a russet potato! (Source)
Sometimes I’ll substitute them for regular fries so I can feel better about splurging on that burger!
Crispy Air Fryer Butternut Squash Fries
Equipment
- Vegetable peeler or paring knife
- Chef's or large Santoku knife
- Cutting board
- Tablespoon (cutlery not measuring)
- Mixing bowl (or large zippered bag)
Ingredients
- 1 Butternut squash
- 1 tbsp Olive oil (per pound of squash)
- 1/2 tsp Pepper (per pound) or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Garlic salt (per pound) or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Paprika (per pound) or to taste
Instructions
- Peel a butternut squash using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, and trim off the stem1 Butternut squash
- Cut squash in half lengthwise using a chef’s or Santoku knife
- Scoop out the seeds and pulp using a cutlery tablespoon (or similar)
- Cut squash flesh into fries that are approximately ½” thick and 3-4” long
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F following manufacturer guidelines
- Place squash fries in a bowl or zippered bag, and toss with 1 Tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp garlic salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and ½ tsp paprika per pound1 tbsp Olive oil (per pound of squash), 1/2 tsp Pepper (per pound), 1/2 tsp Garlic salt (per pound), 1/2 tsp Paprika (per pound)
- Add coated fries to preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some air space between each fry
- Cook on air fry setting for 20 minutes at 400°F, stopping to flip the fries or shake the basket every 5 minutes
- Fries are done when the outside is browned and edges are crispy, and the inside is soft in the middle
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces
Notes
- Every 1 pound of squash equals about 4 servings
- This full squash I had weighed about 3.5 pounds, but sizes will naturally differ
- Try to keep your fry sizes as uniform as possible for even cooking
- Make sure to leave air space between the fries in the air fryer basket to allow for ample air circulation for crispiness
- Only using the top half of the squash is fine for this if you prefer – use the bottom to make soup, mashed squash, or any other favorite
- Feel free to substitute other seasonings if desired (though you should always use some salt and pepper) – curry powder or BBQ seasoning are other great options!
- I typically dip my butternut squash fries in garlic aioli or curry mayo, but ketchup and garlic parmesan sauce are other great choices
- Exact nutritional values will vary depending on size of squash, seasonings, dipping sauces, and total amount consumed, so please consider this a rough guideline only
Nutrition
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
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