Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Posted: 10/13/22
Updated: 02/12/23
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This air fryer butternut squash recipe is incredibly easy to make! Thanks to the air fryer, this delicious winter squash comes out perfectly tender, with satisfyingly crispy edges. Lightly seasoned with your favorite flavors, this butternut pumpkin will definitely become a favorite side dish for all your autumn meals.
What Makes This Recipe So Good
- Cooking butternut squash in the air fryer is so easy to do, and this method gives your winter squash the most perfect texture. Buttery soft and tender, with amazingly crisp edges. Best of all? Air fryer butternut squash is pretty hands off, and it’s SO quick! We’re talking just 15-20 minutes before you’re digging in to a tasty autumn side dish.
- Butternut squash is super versatile! It’s naturally a little sweet and a little savory, but you can adjust the flavor profile a little just by changing the spices you use with it. Salt and pepper bring out the natural flavors, while garlic powder makes everything a little more savory and zippy. If you’re in the mood for a little heat, give the squash a dusting of paprika and red pepper flakes. For sweet cravings, opt for cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice with just a sprinkle of brown sugar.
- It’s wonderfully nutritious. Butternut squash is a great source of fiber, plus it’s loaded with more potassium than a banana. Studies have also found that butternut squash contains high levels of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory benefits, making it good for your tastebuds and your body!
Chef’s Tips
- Whether it’s air fryer butternut squash or another air fryer recipe that requires cooking spray, you want to be sure you use a spray that’s safe for your air fryer basket. Aerosol sprays (like PAM) contain ingredients and chemicals that can eat away the non-stick coating on the air fryer basket. Instead, choose something that’s 100% oil, with a fine mist and absolutely no propellants at all.
- To quickly and easily cut up the squash, just take it from the top! Start by cutting off the top and bottom stems, then use a wide potato peeler to start peeling the longer top half of the squash, working your way around the neck horizontally. Once that’s completely peeled, cover it with a paper towel (mainly so you get a better grip). Flip the squash over and peel the bottom half in the same way. Once it’s completely peeled, slice the entire squash into two large pieces, right where the long neck section meets the larger base section. Halve the bottom section and scoop out any remaining seeds, then repeat with the top section. Continue halving and slicing until you’re able to cut the squash into cubes or usable, half-inch moon shaped pieces.
More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
- 5-Ingredient Air Fryer Flautas
- Sausage in the Air Fryer
- Roasted Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Dumplings
- Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
A delicious, tender veggie side dish that's easy to make and uses a handful of simple ingredients.
servings
Ingredients
For the Butternut Squash
- 1 medium butternut squash approximately 3 pounds; peeled, cubed
- salt to taste
- seasoning of choice see Notes
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Cooking spray safe for air fryers
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit. Lightly spray basket with cooking oil.
- Place cubed butternut squash in air fryer basket. Lightly spray squash with cooking oil, then sprinkle seasoning of choice over cubes. Toss or stir to coat all squash cubes with seasoning and oil.
- Place air fryer basket in preheated air fryer. Cook squash 10 minutes, then remove basket and shake to toss cubes. Return basket to air fryer and cook another 10 minutes, or until squash can be easily pierced with tines of fork.
- Remove basket from air fryer and carefully transfer to serving bowl or plates. Serve warm.
Notes
- One medium squash weighs, on average, approximately 3 pounds, and yields roughly 4 cups of raw 1-inch cubes. Total yield and actual number of servings will vary depending on the size of your squash and your preferred portion sizes.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, or
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, or
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 140kcal | Protein: 3g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Total Carbs: 36g | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Net Carbs: 30g | Vitamin C: 65mg | Sodium: 594mg | Potassium: 1098mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 2mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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