Easy Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash Slices

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.

roasted butternut squash slices in the air fryer dinners done quick

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:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (or 380°F depending on your air fryer)
fresh full butternut squash on a cutting board with a knife
  1. Slice the top and bottom off the squash using a sharp knife
slice off the top and bottom of the butternut squash
  1. Split the squash lengthwise down the middle, giving you approximately two equal halves
split the squash open lengthwise
  1. Using a tablespoon, remove the seeds and pulp from the squash
use a spoon to remove the squash seeds
  1. Slice the squash into even slices, between ¼” and ½” thick
cut the butternut squash into even slices
  1. 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)
season butternut squash slices with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
  1. Toss or mix to coat thoroughly
toss and mix squash and seasonings
  1. Place the butternut squash slices in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket
place seasoned butternut squash slices in air fryer basket
  1. 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
  2. Squash slices are cooked when they are browned on the edges and squash pierces easily with a fork
  3. Top with your favorite savory accents and serve!
delicious roasted butternut squash slices with cranberries and cheese

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

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!

roasted butternut squash slices in the air fryer dinners done quick featured image

Savory Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash Slices

Delicious savory butternut squash slices are roasted perfectly in the air fryer for an easy, yet elegant side. Top with walnuts, cranberries, goat cheese, and thyme for finishing touches.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Vegetarian
Servings 4
Calories 171 kcal

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 board
    1-1 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 thyme
    1 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

Serving: 133.8gCalories: 171kcalCarbohydrates: 14.6gProtein: 4.8gFat: 11.8gSaturated Fat: 3.4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 1027mgPotassium: 397mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 3.1gCalcium: 134mgIron: 1mg
Keyword air fryer butternut squash fries, air fryer butternut squash slices, air fryer squash slices, butternut squash air fryer savory, butternut squash slices, ninja air fryer butternut squash, roast butternuts in the air fryer
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roasted butternut squash slices in the air fryer dinners done quick pinterest
Katie Vine