This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Easy Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe is the perfect healthy side dish that is packed with fall flavors. I’ve included a baked option and add-in ideas like cranberries, feta, and pecans!
What Makes This Recipe Great
Squash season has arrived – hooray! This Air Fryer Butternut Squash is the perfect side dish to enjoy during the holiday season, or really on any night of the week! Butternut squash is my personal favorite type of squash. This crispy butternut squash is tossed in seasonings and maple syrup, so you get the best of both worlds – a little sweet, and a little savory. It’s delicious on its own, or with any of the suggested add-ins like feta, cranberries, and pecans. This recipe is extremely easy to make, it’s made with simple ingredients, and takes less than 5 minutes to prep. I’ve also included a baked option in case you don’t have an air fryer.
Recipe Highlights
- Gluten free and paleo-friendly
- Versatile
- Easy to make
- Perfect Thanksgiving side dish
- A simple way to prepare butternut squash
- Ready in less than 30 minutes
Ingredient Notes
Butternut Squash: I prefer to buy pre-cut butternut squash at the grocery store to save time. If you prefer to buy a whole butternut squash, you’ll need to peel it with a vegetable peeler and cut into 1-inch cubes. Depending on the size of your butternut squash, you should get about 4 cups of cubed squash from one whole squash. Fun fact: you can eat the skins of most varieties of winter squash!
Olive oil: Avocado oil also works well for this recipe.
Maple syrup: Make sure to look for 100% pure maple syrup. Honey can also be used instead. This gives the squash a hint of sweetness.
Spices: Garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, and salt.
Optional add-ins: Feta, goat cheese, cranberries, pecans, or pomegranate arils. Details below for how and when to add!
How To Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Combine the chopped butternut squash, olive oil, maple syrup, and seasonings in a large bowl. Mix well to combine.
2. Add the cubed butternut squash mixture to your air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, it may be tough to get it all in a single layer. It’s ok if they overlap, just make sure to shake well halfway through so the squash pieces all cook evenly.
3. Air fry at 400 for 20 minutes (no pre-heating needed), shaking the basket halfway through, until the squash is golden brown. Enjoy!
How To Make Oven-Roasted Butternut Squash
- Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the butternut squash, cranberries (if using), olive oil, maple syrup, and seasonings in a bowl. Mix well to combine.
- Spread out in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, tossing with a spatula and adding pecans (if using) halfway through cooking time. Add the feta (if using) during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking time. Toss the crispy roasted squash with the feta again, drizzle with hot honey, and enjoy!
Mary’s Tips & Tricks
Spice: If you like a little heat, add ¼ tsp cayenne to the squash mixture.
Coconut sugar: You can use 2 tbsp coconut sugar, brown sugar, or honey in place of the maple syrup for this air-fried butternut squash.
Storage: Store leftover squash in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Store-bought pre-cut squash: Sometimes the chunks are cut quite large, so you may need to cut them into smaller pieces. Otherwise, you may need to increase cooking time.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, it’s delicious and one of the easiest ways to cook squash. Also, cooking squash in the air fryer saves time – it cooks it faster than the oven!
I love serving butternut squash with meatloaf, pork chops, and roasted chicken!
If you see black, moldy, or discolored spots on your squash, throw it away!
You can freeze uncooked or cooked butternut squash. Simply lay out the uncooked chunks on a baking sheet and freeze, then add to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Cooked squash can be frozen for up to 3 months, as well.
More Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes
Easy Air Fryer Butternut Squash (with Baked Option)
Equipment
- Air Fryer baked option below in case you don't have one!
Ingredients
- 20 oz cubed butternut squash, about 3.5 cups
- 1 tbsp olive oil, or avocado oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- Hot honey, for drizzling
Instructions
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Combine the butternut squash, olive oil, maple syrup, and seasonings in a bowl. Mix well to combine.
- Add the butternut squash mixture to your air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400 for 20 minutes (no pre-heating needed), shaking the basket halfway through. Enjoy!
Baked Butternut Squash
- Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the butternut squash, cranberries (if using), olive oil, maple syrup, and seasonings in a bowl. Mix well to combine.Spread out in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, tossing with a spatula and adding pecans (if using) halfway through cooking time. Add the feta (if using) during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking time. Add 5 mins of cooking time for larger squash chunks and to get the squash extra crispy. Toss the crispy roasted squash with the feta again, drizzle with hot honey if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
Mine only needed about 18 minutes and got a little dark on one side/not dark on the other. I forgot to shake as directed…..be sure you shake em 1/2 way!
Also, I tried with dried cranberries, and I didn’t really like them added in after, maybe would be better if they warmed up with the squash or if I used fresh cranberries, but I am nervous about them popping while cooking. I added cilantro at the end for a bit of fresh herbs, next time, I will likely chop in some red onion chunks and maybe even some other types of fall squash (pumpkin, hubbard, etc) for more flavor variety and texture, but it is really COOL how fast and ez this squash cooks in the air fryer!! 🙂
Had to cut time to 15 mins – 1st batch a lil browner than I liked. Otherwise great!
Made in air fryer using honey instead of maple syrup. Turned out very good!
My first air fryer recipe and it’s a keeper! Absolutely delicious!