I love air fryer roasted butternut squash slices, because they’re delicious, simple, and a versatile side. These savory squash slices brown and caramelize perfectly when cooked in the air fryer. It’s an elegant dish worthy of the holiday table or company, but easy enough for a weeknight!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Air fryer butternut squash slices cook 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 for this recipe, it’s equally easy to do sweet or a mix. Maple, honey, cinnamon, and brown sugar all pair very well with squash!
As written, this air fryer butternut squash recipe is also gluten-free and vegetarian (and vegan friendly if you omit the cheese), so it works with a variety of different dietary needs.
This is one of my favorite sides to make for the holiday season (especially Thanksgiving), but it’s so easy you can make it on a weeknight. Leftovers are amazing on top of a salad with some roasted beets, carrots, pomegranate arils, and goat cheese for the perfect autumn salad!
Katie’s tip
Make sure to check out some of my other best butternut squash air fryer recipes for other tasty options to try!
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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 some of my other great 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 (make sure to wash your squash, though)!
- The olive oil can be swapped for another high smoke point option, like avocado oil or grapeseed
- 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, spices, or savory herbs to create your own flavor combinations (onion powder, paprika, cinnamon, rosemary, oregano, maple, honey, and brown sugar are all great choices)
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, then split the squash lengthwise down the middle, giving you approximately two equal halves
- Using a cutlery tablespoon, remove the seeds and pulp from the squash
- Cut butternut squash into even slices, between ¼” and ½” thick
- In a large bowl or 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), and 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 halfway through to flip the slices or shake the basket. Squash slices are cooked when they are browned on the edges and squash is fork-tender
- Top with your favorite savory accents and fresh herbs (optional) 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 my 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.
Do You Have to Peel a Butternut Squash Before Air Frying?
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 ensures it stays 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!
Is Squash Good in the Air Fryer?
Yes, squash is excellent in the air fryer! The air fryer brings out its natural sweetness and creates a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
Both summer squash, like zucchini and yellow squash, and winter squash, like butternut, acorn, or delicata, work well. Air frying is a quick and healthier way to prepare squash, requiring little oil and minimal prep time.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Roasted Butternut Squash
- 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
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. For best results, store without the toppings
- To reheat butternut squash slices in the air fryer, heat at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, until warmed through (turn halfway through). Time can vary between air fryers and based on specific size and thickness of squash pieces, so adjust as needed
Other Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipes
- Butternut Squash Chips
- Easy Air Fryer Squash Seeds
Final Thoughts
Easy air fryer roasted butternut squash slices are simple to prepare and make a perfect side dish for holiday meals, hosting company, or just any night honestly. You can also use them to top up a salad for a perfect autumnal twist!
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)
- Spatula (or tongs)
- Spoon (silverware)
- Chef's knife (or large Santoku knife)
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 olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper2 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 in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding)
- Cook squash on the air fry setting for 15-20 minutes at 375°F, pausing halfway through 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
- You may skin the butternut squash if preferred (but it helps the slices to keep their shape)
- Keep slices as evenly thick as possible to promote even cooking
- If you don’t like goat cheese, feta cheese may be substituted
- Feel free to try out other nuts, seeds, herbs, 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 size, variety, and brand of specific ingredients used, so please consider this a rough guideline only
Nutrition
