Easy Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe with Light Oil

Happy dance for squash season! There’s so many different ways to enjoy this filling and healthy vegetable and it makes a perfect addition to the dinner table.

I wanted to branch out from the traditional oven-roasted butternut squash recipes and am always looking for an excuse to bust out the air fryer. I had no clue if this would turn out but it was better than I could imagine.

Using just a little oil and simple seasonings, the air fryer makes a crispy outside and fork tender inside, in a fraction of the time as traditional methods.

There are so many seasoning options so you can make this healthy side dish totally your own. I hope you love it as much as we did!

❤️ Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Butternut Squash

• ​Air-fried butternut squash is a nutritional powerhouse.
• Easily make this recipe oil-free.
• Simple ingredients and ready in less than 20 minutes.
• Buy pre-cut squash pieces to save on time.
• Cut in various sizes for an age-appropriate baby led weaning recipe

🍲 Ingredients

Butternut Squash

Cinnamon: I love Apple Cinnamon Spice by Little Palates

Optional Spices

Avocado Oil: or avocado oil spray

👩‍🍳 How to Make Air Fried Butternut Squash

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.

2. Start by peeling the butternut squash with a vegetable peeler, then cut it into 1-inch cubes with a sharp knife. Make sure to remove the seeds and fibrous parts from the center.

3. In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash cubes with avocado oil, cinnamon, black pepper and any optional seasonings you prefer, such as paprika or garlic powder. Make sure the squash is evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.

4. Place the seasoned butternut squash cubes in the air fryer basket. Ensure they are in a single layer for even cooking. You may need to do this in batches if your air fryer is small.

5. Cook the butternut squash for about 12 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the squash cubes halfway through the cooking time. Cooking times may vary depending on your specific air fryer, so check for doneness by piercing a piece with a fork. The squash should be tender and have a slightly crispy exterior.

🪄 Tips and Tricks

• Cut your squash into even sized pieces. This will ensure an even cook.
• The skin of butternut squash is very tough. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin of the squash before cutting into it.
• Make your life even easier and buy pre-cut squash from the grocery store to avoid having to peel and cut. This will save a ton of time!

🗒 Substitutions

• Use any spices you love.
• Add a sprinkle of brown sugar for a sweeter side dish.
• Use olive oil, coconut oil or butter in place of avocado oil.

🗒 Best served with

• Your favorite meat such as roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or turkey.

🗒 Variations

This recipe can also be made into air fryer butternut squash fries. Follow the recipe the same but cut the squash into the size fries you want instead of cubes.

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover squash in an airtight container in the fridge for up the three days. Reheat in the air fryer to bring the yummy crisp back.

🤔 Common Questions