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. It comes out fork tender, with delicious browned edges full of flavor.
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. This makes it great for side dishes, snacks, or even entrees.
Butternut squash is also naturally gluten-free, and suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets as well, so long as you keep the additions to your recipe free of restricted items.
When you air fry butternut squash, you’ll get caramelized edges and bring out the natural sweetness, all in less time than the oven. While cooking time can vary between air fryers and based on the squash size, most recipes take 30 minutes or less!
So, let’s dig into 11 amazing butternut squash recipes you can try in your air fryer to see just how easy, delicious, and versatile this cooking method is!
Quick + Easy Recipes
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Deliciously seasoned air-fried butternut squash fries come out 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.
Cut down on prep time by starting with frozen pre-cut butternut squash, which cooks perfectly in your air fryer in under 20 minutes.
Using some olive 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.
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.
If you’re not in the mood to stuff your squash, try these easy air fryer butternut squash halves instead. Cook up an entire medium butternut 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!
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.
A warm, comforting fall classic is made even easier with air fryer roasted butternut squash soup. Instead of roasting everything in the oven, cut your squash into 1-inch cubes and let the air fryer basket do the work caramelizing.
Then, you can simply add some liquids, blend, and enjoy bowls of homemade comfort! This is one of my favorite air fryer recipes for squash, since it has all the flavor of a slow roasted cook in less time and fuss.
Toss cubed air fryer butternut squash with 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!
Only 4 ingredients makes this an incredibly easy air fryer butternut squash recipe. Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice gives perfectly roasted squash cubes a warm, holiday feel in just about 30 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
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. Just use a sharp knife to make lovely slices, and best of all – you don't need to peel them!
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, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, 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
katie’s tip
Make sure to check out our Honey Roasted Air Fryer Pecans for a perfect topping or enjoy a medley of Air Fryer Roasted Root Vegetables!
Recipe FAQs
Is Squash Good in the Air Fryer?
Yes, cooking squash in the air fryer is an excellent method. The air fryer circulates hot air to roast the squash evenly, resulting in a tender interior and caramelized exterior.
This technique is efficient and often faster than traditional oven roasting.
Does Butternut Squash Need to Be Peeled Before Cooking?
While the skin of butternut squash is technically edible, it can be tough and unappealing. It’s generally recommended to peel the squash before cooking to achieve a more desirable texture in your dishes. Use a vegetable peeler to make this easier!
However, in sliced form, the skin can help the squash maintain shape, or if cooking full halves, you can just scoop the flesh out after cooking to avoid peeling.
Why Is My Roasted Butternut Squash Soggy?
Soggy roasted butternut squash is often the result of overcrowding the air fryer basket, which prevents proper air circulation and leads to steaming instead of roasting.
To achieve a crispier texture, ensure the squash pieces are arranged in a single layer with space between them. Additionally, cooking at an appropriate temperature, such as 375°F (190°C), helps in achieving caramelization without overcooking.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days
- To reheat butternut squash in the air fryer, use a lower temperature of 350°F and heat for about 5 minutes, shaking the basket for smaller pieces. Halves will require more time to reheat due to their size, usually 7-8 minutes (though it can vary based on exact size)
- Air Fryer Summer Squash Casserole
- Air Fryer Acorn Squash Parmesan
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.
Cook up a whole butternut squash, or your choice of presentation, and pack it with sweet or savory flavor depending on the occasion. 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 quick side, enjoying fries as an appetizer, eating soup for lunch, or digging into a stuffed version for dinner, or looking for a perfect Thanksgiving side dish, you’ll love these great air fryer butternut squash recipes.
katie’s tip
If you love squash in general, don’t forget to check out my best acorn squash microwave recipes for more new recipes to try!
