Butternut squash is one of my favorite fall flavors, and it works so well for lots of dishes. So, I’m going to share some of the best butternut squash recipes for the air fryer that you can try out too!
Cooking squash in the air fryer is my method of choice, as you’ll get that caramelization in less time than the oven. Additionally, it doesn’t heat up your house as much, so you could enjoy your squash as an easy side year round.
Can You Cook Butternut Squash in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook butternut squash in an air fryer.
In fact, there are a number of ways to do so! Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can cook butternut squash in cubes, slices, halves, fries, or even roast it for soup.
Here’s some of the best butternut squash recipes you can try in your air fryer to see just how easy and delicious this cooking method is!
Best Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipes
1. Air Fryer Butternut Squash Fries
Deliciously seasoned air fryer butternut squash fries are browned and crispy. Everything cooks up in under 30 minutes, and it’s a great way to use up leftover squash from another recipe.
This easy air fryer butternut squash fry recipe makes a perfect appetizer, snack, or side.
2. Frozen Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer
Cut down on prep time by starting with frozen butternut squash, which cooks perfectly in your air fryer in under 20 minutes.
Using some oil to brown it and sea salt to bring out the flavor really makes it shine. Season your air fryer frozen butternut squash with the basil, coriander, and nutmeg suggested, or try your own combination.
3. Air Fryer Chickpea and Sage Stuffed Butternut Squash Halves
These air fryer stuffed butternut squash halves caramelize beautifully in the air fryer. A unique scoring technique gives you extra caramelization despite using a whole squash.
The butternut squash halves are stuffed with a savory filling perfect for a meal, and are vegan friendly too! The chickpeas in the filling are accented by other grains, seeds, and nuts to make an inviting, satisfying meal.
4. Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves
If you’re not in the mood to stuff your squash, try these easy air fryer butternut squash halves instead. Cook up an entire squash split down the middle and seasoned to perfection in your air fryer.
Sweet honey and savory thyme on soft, caramelized squash makes a perfect flavor combination. These squash halves are a great side or light meal on their own!
5. Air Fryer Butternut Squash with Maple Syrup
These air fryer roasted butternut squash halves get a touch of sweetness from maple syrup. Finish them off with some roasted nuts for an impressive presentation worthy of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the next time you want to impress dinner guests.
While halves create perfect wells for holding candied nuts, this air fryer butternut squash with maple syrup would be delicious cubed as well.
6. Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
A warm, comforting fall classic is made even easier with air fryer roasted butternut squash soup.
Instead of roasting everything in the oven, let the fryer do the work caramelizing. Then, you can simply add some liquids, blend, and enjoy!
Air fryer roasted butternut squash soup has all the flavor of a slow roasted cook in less time and fuss.
7. Air Fryer Brown Sugar Butternut Squash
Cubed air fryer butternut squash features brown sugar, smoky paprika, and a touch of heat from cayenne for a perfectly balanced dish. The sugar only adds to the natural sweetness and caramelization of the squash.
Omit the paprika, and you could serve this sweet air fryer brown sugar squash over ice cream or french toast.
8. Easy Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash
Only 4 ingredients makes this an incredibly easy air fryer butternut squash recipe. Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice gives perfectly roasted squash a warm, holiday feel.
In just about 30 minutes you have perfectly roasted cubes of squash. This air fryer roasted butternut squash makes an easy, healthy side dish and can be prepped ahead of time to add to weekday salads for lunch as well.
9. Air Fryer Butternut Squash with Cinnamon
This cubed butternut squash is seasoned with cinnamon and roasted in your air fryer. It makes a delicious side but is adaptable to a main course or even dessert!
Since it takes only about 20 minutes to cook, it’ll be on your table in no time.
Air fryer butternut squash with cinnamon is a warm, homey dish that is perfect alongside a roast, on the holiday table, or anytime you’d like some savory comfort.
10. Savory Air Fryer Butternut Squash
This incredible air fryer butternut squash recipe features a savory topping to add amazing flavor and crunch. Buttery panko, parmesan, and fall herbs make the perfect balance.
The brown butter adds savory depth and nuttiness to the sweet, caramelized squash cubes. A crunchy topping adds not only texture but additional fall flavors such as sage, and makes the presentation even more elegant.
11. Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash Slices
These air fryer roasted butternut squash slices are an easy yet elegant side dish. The air fryer delivers browned, caramelized edges for depth of flavor.
This savory butternut squash recipe is topped with walnuts, cranberries, goat cheese, and thyme for a gorgeous presentation. It’s perfect for holiday meals, entertaining guests, or anytime you’d enjoy some roasted squash.
What Goes Well With Butternut Squash?
- Seasonings, such as cinnamon, paprika, or curry powder
- Herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage
- Sweets, including brown sugar, honey, and maple syrup
- Nuts, particularly candied or roasted
- Turkey, chicken, or other poultry
- Stuffing
- Mac and cheese
- Fruit, such as apples or pears
- Root vegetables
- Arugula and other salad greens
- Grains, such as farro or quinoa
Make sure to check out our honey roasted air fryer pecans for a perfect topping!
Final Thoughts
These are some of the best air fryer butternut squash recipes to try. Each one showcases some of the versatility of the squash, with an array of flavor profiles and presentations.
Your air fryer makes it so easy to get that rich, caramelized flavor from the squash that makes it such a warm, comforting food.
Whether you’re serving cubes as a side, enjoying fries as an appetizer, eating soup for lunch, or digging into a stuffed version for dinner, you’ll love these great air fryer butternut squash recipes.
If you love squash in general, don’t forget to check out our best acorn squash microwave recipes for more quick-cooking meals!
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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