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5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Crispy and caramelized on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside, this tasty Air Fryer Butternut Squash will be your new favorite side dish! This dish is packed with fall flavors and is a great recipe for busy weeknights. It's also the perfect Thanksgiving side dish. Make it in under 30 minutes!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time22 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Calorie, Low Fat, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Calories: 96kcal
Author: Dr. Sonali Ruder

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 small to medium butternut squash (1.5-2 lbs), cut into ¾-inch cubes (about 4 cups cubed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Optional garnishes: flaky sea salt, chopped chives or parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
  • Toss the butternut squash cubes with the olive oil and dried spices in a large mixing bowl.
  • Put the diced squash in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the squash in batches.
  • Cook the squash 12-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. The squash is done when it's golden brown on the outside and fork tender.
  • Garnish with optional garnishes like sea salt and chopped chives or parsley.

Notes

The final cooking time will vary depending on the model of your air fryer and how large you cut your squash.
I used a Ninja 5.5 quart air fryer and cooked my squash in two batches.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook this butternut squash in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss the butternut squash with the oil and spices on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven until squash is browned and tender, about 20 minutes.
You can play around with the spices in this dish and use your favorite combination. Here are some ideas:
    • Spicy/smoky- chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper
    • Sweet- cinnamon, ginger, and brown sugar or maple syrup
    • Spicy and sweet- chili powder, cayenne, and brown sugar
    • Classic holiday spices- thyme, rosemary and/or sage
    • Italian- basil, oregano, and/or Italian seasoning; top the squash off with grated parmesan cheese

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 297mg | Potassium: 502mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 15006IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 1mg