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    Home » Recipes » Fall Recipes

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash (Cooked Whole)

    Published: Sep 10, 2023 by Emily Laurae · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Welcome to your next go-to weeknight dinner side dish: crispy, sweet, and savory air fryer butternut squash. It’s not only incredibly easy to whip up but adds a touch of fall to any meal.

    Air Fryer butternut squash on the counter.
    Jump to:
    • ⭐  Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 🍴 Ingredients & Equipment
    • 📖  Step-by-Step Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • Air Fryer Butternut Squash
    • 💬 Comments

    Here's to embracing the squash season in the best way possible. This easy air fryer recipe is bound to become one of your favorite recipes, perfect for weeknight dinners or as a perfect Thanksgiving side dish.

    Looking for more recipes to use with your air fryer? Try these sweet potato fries, roasted garlic, or these 4 ingredient cauliflower bites! Happy air frying!

    ⭐  Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Quick and Easy: With a preparation time of just a few minutes, you can have this squash roasted and ready in a half an hour, thanks to the magic of the air fryer.
    • Healthy and Nutritious: Butternut squash is packed with Vitamin C and other nutrients making it a healthy choice for your plate!
    • Versatile: This can be a great side dish for any main course or even be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner table.
    • Full of Flavor: The combination of high temperature and the air fryer basket ensures a crispy roasted squash with a delightful texture.

    🍴 Ingredients & Equipment

    Ingredients needed to making air fryer butternut squash recipe on the counter.
    • Butternut Squash: A medium butternut squash will do. This winter squash brings a sweet flavor and a vibrant touch to our dish.
    • Olive Oil: A brush of extra virgin olive oil not only adds to the flavor but ensures the squash gets that desired crispy edge.
    • Salt and Pepper: Optional, but highly recommended! The seasoning helps to accentuate the natural flavors of the squash and give it that savory touch if desired!
    • Air Fryer: For this recipe, an air fryer is an absolute game-changer. It's ability to achieve crispy perfection without deep-frying is incredible! You get delectable results with a fraction of the oil, making every bite both delightful and guilt-free.

    📖  Step-by-Step Instructions

    Sliced butternut squash cut in half on a cutting board.

    Preparation: Start by slicing your butternut squash using a sharp knife.Then, using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and scrape out the insides of the squash till clean and smooth.

    Butternut squash halves in an air fryer basket.

    Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F. Once heated, place the squash in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.

    Air fryer butternut squash cooked in an air fryer basket.

    Checking Doneness: The squash is ready when it’s fork-tender. Remove from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

    Cooked butternut squash in a glass air tight container.

    Storage: If you have leftover squash, store it in an airtight container. It can be reheated in the air fryer or used in recipes like butternut squash soup!

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Size of your Squash: Always ensure the whole butternut squash can fit in your air fryer basket without being too cramped! If necessary, choose a smaller squash or a medium butternut squash.
    • Enhance the Flavor: For an added depth of flavor, try brushing the squash with a mix of olive oil, maple syrup, or brown sugar before roasting.
    • Storage: If you have leftover squash, store it in an airtight container. It can be reheated in the air fryer or used in recipes like butternut squash soup!
    • Skin On or Off: Roasting the butternut with the skin on not only saves time but also adds a delightful texture to the dish. However, if preferred, you can peel the skin using a sharp vegetable peeler.
    Two whole butternut squashes on the counter.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    Can I use avocado oil instead of olive oil?

    Absolutely! Avocado oil is a great high-temperature alternative and can give a slightly different flavor profile.

    How do I ensure the best results with different sizes of butternut squash?

    It’s all about the size of your squash. No matter the size of your butternut, aiming for a medium sized squash will ensure even cooking.

    Can this be turned into a soup after air frying?

    Definitely! Air-fried butternut adds a rich, roasted flavor to butternut squash soup, butternut squash gnocchi and other savory delights!

    If you try the recipe for this Air Fryer Butternut Squash, please leave a 🌟 review and share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! 📧 

    Air Fryer butternut squash on the counter.

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    Step into the cozy embrace of fall flavors with this simple, yet delectable air fryer butternut squash recipe. Experience the mouthwatering blend of sweet and savory, all crisped to perfection in the convenience of your air fryer.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 115kcal
    Author: Emily Laurae

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Fork & Spoon
    • Air Tight Container

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 Butternut Squash, whole
    • 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
    • Salt & Pepper

    Instructions

    • Begin by washing the whole butternut squash. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and innards using a spoon.
      1 Butternut Squash
    • Lightly brush the cut sides of the squash with olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper if desired.
      1 Tablespoon Olive oil, Salt & Pepper
    • Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F. Place the whole butternut squash in the air fryer basket, ensuring it fits comfortably.
    • Let the squash air fry for about 30 minutes, depending on the size of your butternut. Halfway through the cooking time, turn the squash to ensure even roasting.
    • The squash is ready when it’s fork-tender. Remove from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

    Notes

    Storage: If you have leftover squash, store it in an airtight container. It can be reheated in the air fryer or used in recipes like butternut squash soup.
    How can I use the leftover roasted butternut? The options are endless! You can make butternut squash soup, salads, or even a savory air fryer butternut squash mash.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 660mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 19931IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 1mg
    Enjoyed this recipe?Mention @emilylaurae or tag #emilylaurae!

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    About Emily Laurae

    Emily is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Emily Laurae. After finishing Pastry School and working as a chef in the restaurant industry, she created this blog to share those skills with home bakers and creators all over the world!

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    HELLO MY FRIENDS, I'M EMILY!

    Welcome to my blog, where I'm sharing a collection of my favorite recipes, tips and tricks for you to create and enjoy in your home kitchen! I'm a professionally trained pastry chef, recipe developer and food photographer currently living in Los Angeles - looking forward to baking with you!

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