Looking for a simple and delicious side dish that’s ready in minutes? This Air Fryer Butternut Squash recipe is the perfect choice! With just a handful of ingredients and a quick cook time, you’ll have tender, caramelized squash with a hint of cinnamon and brown sugar that’s absolutely irresistible. It’s a fall-inspired favorite that works year-round as a healthy side or snack.

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is naturally sweet and packed with nutrients, and the air fryer takes it to the next level. The high heat crisps up the edges while keeping the inside soft and flavorful, making it a kid-approved addition to any meal. Whether you’re pairing it with roasted chicken or serving it as part of your holiday spread, this recipe is a winner.

What makes this recipe even better? It’s ridiculously easy to prepare. Toss everything in a bag, shake it up, and let the air fryer work its magic. No need to preheat an oven or babysit a stovetop dish. Let’s dive in and make this quick and delicious recipe!

What You Will Love About This Recipe

Quick and Easy: With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a last-minute side dish. The air fryer cuts down cooking time while delivering perfectly roasted squash.

Deliciously Caramelized: The combination of brown sugar and cinnamon creates a lightly sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer. It’s a warm and cozy flavor that pairs well with almost any meal.

Healthy and Nutritious: Butternut squash is packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, making this a guilt-free side dish or snack. It’s a tasty way to add more veggies to your plate!

Perfect Texture: The air fryer gives the squash crispy edges and a tender interior, offering the perfect balance of crunch and softness in every bite.

Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will love the naturally sweet and spiced flavor of this dish. It’s a great way to get kids (and adults) to enjoy more vegetables.

Versatile Pairing: This dish complements a variety of main courses, from roasted meats to vegetarian entrees. It’s also a fantastic addition to holiday spreads or meal prep menus.

How to Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash

In a Ziploc bag, add your butternut squash pieces, olive oil, brown sugar, & cinnamon.

Massage and toss the bag to coat the squash well.

Pour coated butternut squash into your air fryer (if a basket) or lay on your trays. Keep squash in a single layer if possible.

Air fry at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Shake a few times while cooking.

Tips & Tricks

Use Uniform Cubes: To ensure even cooking, cut your butternut squash into similarly sized cubes. If using pre-chopped squash, give the pieces a quick check to make sure they’re roughly the same size.
Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: For the best results, keep the squash in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Overcrowding can cause steaming instead of roasting, which prevents that delicious caramelization. Cook in batches if needed!
Shake It Up: Shake the basket a few times during cooking to ensure the squash cooks evenly and gets crispy edges. This step is especially important if the squash pieces are touching each other.
Adjust the Sweetness: Prefer less sweetness? Reduce the brown sugar or skip it altogether for a more savory dish. You can also add a pinch of salt or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar to balance the flavors.
Make It Savory: Swap out the cinnamon and brown sugar for savory spices like garlic powder, paprika, or thyme for a completely different flavor profile that pairs perfectly with roasted meats or hearty soups.
Preheat Your Air Fryer (Optional): While many air fryers don’t require preheating, starting with a preheated air fryer can help the squash cook more evenly and develop a nice, caramelized exterior.
Check for Doneness: Cooking times can vary depending on the size of your cubes and your specific air fryer model. Start checking for doneness around the 15-minute mark by piercing a cube with a fork—it should be tender but not mushy.
Clean-Up Made Easy: To minimize mess, line your air fryer basket or tray with perforated parchment paper designed for air fryers. It’ll catch drips without interfering with airflow.
Serve Immediately: Air-fried butternut squash is best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer while it’s warm and slightly crispy. If you need to reheat leftovers, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to revive their texture.

FAQs

Yes, frozen butternut squash works, but it may release extra moisture during cooking. To get the best texture, pat the squash dry with a paper towel before seasoning, and cook it straight from frozen—no need to thaw.

If you’re using fresh butternut squash, it’s best to peel it before cubing since the skin can be tough and chewy. Pre-packaged cubed squash is usually already peeled, saving you time.

Aim for cubes that are about 1-inch in size. This allows them to cook evenly and become tender in the center with crispy edges in the air fryer.

Absolutely! The squash is naturally sweet on its own. You can omit the brown sugar or replace it with a sugar-free alternative or spices like smoked paprika or chili powder for a savory twist.

Store any leftover butternut squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, use the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F to bring back some crispness.

Of course! This recipe is highly customizable. Swap cinnamon and brown sugar for savory options like garlic powder, rosemary, or cumin, or try a drizzle of maple syrup for a different take on sweetness.

The squash is ready when it’s fork-tender and has slightly crispy, caramelized edges. Start checking for doneness at the 15-minute mark, as cooking times can vary based on your air fryer and the size of the cubes.

Try these other amazing Air Fryer Recipes!

Air Fryer Dorito Chicken

Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Meatloaf

Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Name: Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 Cups cubed butternut squash or 1 (20 oz) pre chopped package; 1 ½ TBSP EVOO; 1 TBSP Brown Sugar; 1 TSP Cinnamon

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Air Fryer Butternut squash is one of the easiest and most tasty side dishes to add to your recipe collection. With just a few simple ingredients you will have a side dish packed with a lot of amazing flavors!

Ingredients

2 Cups cubed butternut squash or 1 (20 oz) pre chopped package
1 ½ TBSP EVOO
1 TBSP Brown Sugar
1 TSP Cinnamon

Instructions

In a ziploc bag, add your butternut squash pieces, olive oil, brown sugar, & cinnamon.
Massage and toss the bag to coat the squash well.
Pour coated butternut squash into your air fryer (if a basket) or lay on your trays. Keep squash in a single layer if possible.
Air fry at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Shake a few times while cooking.
Serve immediately and ENJOY!

Melissa

I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!

Air Fryer Butternut Squash