These air fryer roasted butternut squash slices make for such an elegant presentation. These savory squash slices brown and caramelize perfectly when cooked in the air fryer. It’s a side dish worthy of the holiday table or company, but it’s so easy to make.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe cooks up in 15 minutes or less, making it an easy way to get a side dish done quickly with little fussing. That way you can turn your focus more to your main course and let the air fryer do the rest.
While I’m preparing my butternut squash slices with a savory flavor profile today, it’s equally easy to do sweet or a mix. Maple, honey, cinnamon, and brown sugar all pair very well with squash.
Make sure to check out some of our other best butternut squash air fryer recipes for other tasty options to try!
Ingredients to Grab
- 1-1.5 pounds butternut squash (approximately 1 small squash, or half of a large squash)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 Tbsp roasted walnuts
- 1 Tbsp dried cranberries (unsweetened)
- 2 Tbsp goat cheese crumbles
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- This recipe doubles well if you prefer to use a whole large squash (or you want all your slices to match). Alternatively, see our other recipes below to use it up!
- While you can peel your squash for this recipe if you want to, I don’t typically. It helps the slices hold their shape better
- If you don’t like goat cheese, you may substitute feta cheese or omit entirely
- For a sweet variation, use sweetened cranberries, candied nuts, honey to replace the oil, and cinnamon to replace the other seasonings
- Feel free to try other cheeses, dried fruits, roasted nuts, or savory herbs to create your own flavor combinations
How to Make Savory Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash Slices:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (or 380°F depending on your air fryer)
- Slice the top and bottom off the squash using a sharp knife
- Split the squash lengthwise down the middle, giving you approximately two equal halves
- Using a tablespoon, remove the seeds and pulp from the squash
- Slice the squash into even slices, between ¼” and ½” thick
- In a bowl or large ziploc bag, combine squash slices with 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Toss or mix to coat thoroughly
- Place the butternut squash slices in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket
- Cook squash on the air fry setting for 15-20 minutes at 375°F, pausing every 5 minutes to flip the slices or shake the basket
- Squash slices are cooked when they are browned on the edges and squash pierces easily with a fork
- Top with your favorite savory accents and serve!
What to Serve with Roasted Butternut Squash Slices
- Pork chops
- Turkey
- Ham
- Chicken
- Prime rib
- Meatballs
- Ravioli
- Stew
- Other roasted vegetables
- Sweet potatoes
- Lentils
- Macaroni and cheese
Try these Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, these easy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites, or fan favorite Air Fryer Frozen Toasted Ravioli!
Recipe FAQs
How Long to Air Fry Butternut Squash Slices
Generally, it takes between 15 and 20 minutes to air fry butternut squash slices. This can vary slightly based on the size of your squash, thickness of your slices, and your air fryer’s power level.
Cubes of squash will take slightly more time since they’re thicker, while halves of a whole butternut squash take the longest, purely by size of the pieces.
Should I Remove the Skin For Air Fryer Butternut Squash Slices?
It is not recommended to remove the skin when making butternut squash slices in the air fryer.
The skin actually helps the squash to keep its shape, since it’s going to get tender after cooking. This helps it to stay looking elegant, instead of like a pile of mush.
Additionally, butternut squash skin is thin, edible, good for you, and you’ll barely notice it’s there.
Recipe Pro Tips and Advice
- Cook in batches if needed depending on the size of your air fryer basket. Too much overlap will cause the squash to cook unevenly.
- Cut your slices as uniformly thick as possible, which also helps to promote even cooking
- These butternut squash slices took about 18 minutes in my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer. However, cooking times may vary slightly depending on your specific unit
Other Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipes to Try
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Crispy Butternut Squash Fries
- Butternut Squash Chips
- Easy Air Fryer Squash Seeds
Final Thoughts
Easy air fryer roasted butternut squash slices are simple to prepare and make a delightful side dish for holiday meals, hosting company, or just any night honestly.
While I’ve served these slices up with a savory seasoning, this recipe can easily be flipped to sweet with the addition of honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
If you are following the savory route, make sure to top it with some air fryer dried thyme for a pop of color!
Savory Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash Slices
Equipment
- Mixing bowl (or large zippered bag)
- Spoon (silverware)
- Chef's knife or large Santoku knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1-1 ½ pounds Butternut squash (approximately 1 small squash, or half of a large squash)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp Garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp Salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp Black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp Roasted walnuts
- 1 tbsp Dried cranberries (unsweetened)
- 2 tbsp Goat cheese crumbles
- 1 tsp Thyme (fresh or dried)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (or 380°F depending on your air fryer)
- Slice the top and bottom off the squash using a sharp Chef’s or Santoku knife on a cutting board1-1 ½ pounds Butternut squash
- Split the squash lengthwise down the middle with the knife, giving you approximately two equal halves
- Using a spoon (regular cutlery spoon), remove the seeds and pulp from the squash
- Slice the squash into even slices, between ¼” and ½” thick
- In a bowl or large Ziploc bag, combine squash slices with 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)2 tbsp Olive oil, 1 ½ tsp Garlic powder, 1 ½ tsp Salt, ½ tsp Black pepper
- Toss or mix to coat thoroughly
- Place the butternut squash slices in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket
- Cook squash on the air fry setting for 15-20 minutes at 375°F, pausing every 5 minutes to flip the slices or shake the basket
- Squash slices are cooked when they are browned on the edges and squash pierces easily with a fork
- Top roasted squash slices with walnuts, cranberries, goat cheese, and finish with thyme1 tbsp Roasted walnuts, 1 tbsp Dried cranberries, 2 tbsp Goat cheese crumbles, 1 tsp Thyme
Notes
- This recipe doubles well if you’re serving a crowd (or want to use the whole squash if you have a large one)
- You may skin the butternut squash if preferred (but it helps the slices to keep their shape)
- Keep squash slices as evenly thick as possible to promote even cooking
- Cook in batches if needed so you don’t overcrowd your basket. Otherwise, your squash won’t brown evenly
- As pictured, these butternut squash slices took about 18 minutes in my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer. However, cooking times may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer
- If you don’t like goat cheese, feta cheese may be substituted
- Feel free to try out other nuts, seeds, or fruits as toppings!
- To make your squash sweet instead of savory, use honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, and/or cinnamon in place of the savory ingredients
- Nutrition facts will vary based on specific ingredients used, so please consider this a rough guideline
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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