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!

air fryer butternut squash in a white bowl

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

ingredients for air fryer butternut squash

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

butternut squash in a white bowl
  1. Combine the chopped butternut squash, olive oil, maple syrup, and seasonings in a large bowl. Mix well to combine.
uncooked butternut squash cubes in an air fryer

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!

cooked butternut squash in an air fryer basket

How To Make Oven-Roasted Butternut Squash

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Combine the butternut squash, cranberries (if using), olive oil, maple syrup, and seasonings in a bowl. Mix well to combine.
  3. 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!
air fryer butternut squash with feta, cranberries and pecans

Mary’s Tips & Tricks

Spice: If you like a little heat, add 1/4 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

Is squash good in the air fryer?

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!

What to eat with butternut squash?

I love serving butternut squash with meatloaf, pork chops, and roasted chicken!

How to tell if squash is bad?

If you see black, moldy, or discolored spots on your squash, throw it away!

Can I freeze butternut squash?

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.

butternut squash with feta and cranberries on a plate with a fork

More Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes

Chicken Tenderloins

Chicken Nuggets

15-Minute Halibut

Turkey Meatballs

Frozen Salmon In The Air Fryer

Sausage Patties

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air fryer butternut squash in a white bowl
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Easy Air Fryer Butternut Squash (with Baked Option)

Yield: 4 cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
This Easy Air Fryer Butternut Squash is the perfect side dish to serve all fall and winter long. I've included a baked option as well as add-in ideas like cranberries, feta, and pecans!
5 from 10 votes
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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

Equipment

  • Air Fryer baked option below in case you don't have one!

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

Add-ins: If using cranberries, add them with the squash and mix with the oil, syrup and spices. Cook for the entire duration of air frying or baking. If using feta, add it after air frying or during the last 5-10 minutes of baking. If adding pecans, add them halfway through cooking time (either air frying or baking). Drizzle hot honey over the finished product!
Nutrition facts do not include optional add-ins.
Spice: If you like a little heat, add 1/4 tsp cayenne to the squash mixture.
Coconut sugar: You can use coconut sugar or honey in place of the maple syrup
Storage: Leftover air fryer butternut squash can be stored 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 125kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 298mg, Potassium: 533mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 15088IU, Vitamin C: 31mg, Calcium: 82mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 125
Author: Mary Smith