This spiced Air Fryer Butternut Squash is so easy to make! Ready in 30 minutes, the warm, cozy, and tender squash cubes are perfect for serving on the side of Thanksgiving dinner or on top of a fall salad.
Want to make even more vegan butternut squash recipes? Try this Vegan Butternut Squash Soup, this Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce, and this Butternut Squash Lasagna!
I treat the space in my oven as a very precious commodity around the holidays. I can’t just be tossing anything in there… I absolutely have to leave room for the Vegan Turkey Roast and Vegan Wellington!
Luckily, some vegetables are super easy to cook in the air fryer or on the stove. That’s why this Air Fryer Butternut Squash recipe is always on my holiday menu. Like my Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts and Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes recipes, it’s a quick and easy way to cook one of my favorite fall vegetables without taking up any more space in my oven.
Why cook butternut squash in the air fryer?
- Holiday time saver – Who has time to wait around for roasted veggies during the busy holiday season? Not me! Cooking butternut squash in the air fryer only takes 30 minutes and still gives you delicious results.
- It’s so easy – Just chop, season, and cook! You can even use pre-chopped or frozen squash to save yourself the hassle.
- So many ways to use it – Air fried butternut squash can be served as a holiday side dish, on a salad or grain bowl, with your weeknight fall dinners, and more.
How to air fry butternut squash
Find the complete printable recipe with measurements below in the recipe card.
Add the cubed squash, oil, sweetener, and seasonings to a large bowl. Toss until the squash is evenly coated.
Transfer the squash to your air fryer basket and air fry until the cubes are fork tender and golden.
Recipe Tip
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket with squash! If the basket is too full and the squash cubes are piled on top of each other, it’s best to cook them in two batches instead.
Serve while the squash is still warm and enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
Start by trimming the stems from both ends of the squash. Cut the squash in half widthwise where the neck meets the rounded bottom, then peel the skin with a vegetable peeler.
Slice the bottom part in half, scoop out the seeds in the middle with a spoon, and slice each half into half moons. Dice the half moons into cubes.
Slice the squash neck in half lengthwise before cutting each piece into slabs. Dice the slabs into thick fries, then into cubes.
Check out Serious Eats’ step-by-step pictures if you need more instructions.
Yes, and you don’t even have to thaw the cubes ahead of time. Just toss them in a bowl with the oil and seasonings, then air fry as normal. Frozen butternut squash should only take 15 to 20 minutes to air fry.
A mix of oil, maple syrup or brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt helps this side dish taste warm, comforting, and just sweet enough.
You can use olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, dried herbs (thyme, sage, parsley, rosemary, etc.), cumin, and/or cayenne if you prefer your butternut squash to taste more savory.
I’ll usually add air fryer butternut squash to my vegan Thanksgiving menu because it’s so quick and easy. You could also serve it as a simple side dish with everyday dinners, top it on a fall salad or grain bowl, fold it into a pasta dish, or stir it into a vegan quiche.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash 5 cups cubed
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or pure maple syrup
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Peel and dice the butternut squash into 1-inch chunks and add to a large bowl. Add all remaining ingredients and toss well to coat the squash in the oil and seasonings.
- Transfer to your air fryer basket. If your air fryer is really small, you may need to cook it in batches. They don't have to be in a single layer, but you don't want to fill it too full.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, shaking the basket every 10 minutes. Cook until they are fork-tender and golden but not burned.
- Serve immediately. Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until warm and crisp again.
Notes
- Make it easier – Buy pre-chopped butternut squash or even frozen butternut squash chunks.
- Oil-free – Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar and omit the oil.
Thanks for this, Nora. Question: have you ever tried using frozen butternut squash?
You bet, Emily! You can use pre-chopped or frozen squash!
Can you use frozen butternut squash?
Yes, you can use pre-chopped or frozen squash!