This AIR FRYER BUTTERNUT SQUASH recipe is ready to serve in 12 minutes! This low carb side dish is perfect for Fall and has a sweet, Earthy flavor that we can’t get enough of.
I’m a total sucker for a good sweet potato. Have you tried our air fryer sweet potato cubes? They are so darn good, but of course a sweet potato is loaded with carbs.
We like to do the low carb thing and butternut squash is a nice option…it looks like sweet potato, has a lot of that sweet, Earthy flavor, but it’s a squash and has more of that squash texture.
Butternut squash in the air fryer is so quick to make and simple to whip up. We serve this up with air fryer steak and air fryer chicken legs quite often.
This is a recipe that is easy to make, hard to get wrong, and one that provides you with a healthy option for a side dish. It is a staple air fryer recipe in my house, and it certainly belongs in yours!
Ingredient Notes:
Choosing your squash – When picking out your squash avoid any squash that has brown spots or holes in them.
Your squash should be a little heavy for its size. So pick up a few, feel their weight and choose one that seems to be dense. This is best for cubing them, which is what we will be doing in this recipe.
You can purchase butternut squash that is already peeled and cubed to save time. They’ll cost more, but the convenience is nice. This is the route we normally take.
Peeling and cubing the squash– We found you a great tutorial on peeling, seeding, and slicing your butternut squash that is really in depth for anyone totally new to working with squash. I highly recommend clicking the link above for step-by-step instructions.
The “too-long, didn’t read” version is to cut the ends off. Then cut it in half. Peel the skin until it starts to turn to a color representing the inside of the squash. Spoon out the seeds. Cut into cubes.
How to make:
Seasoning– Add your squash cubes to a bowl. Next drizzle oil over the top and stir to coat. Sprinkle your teaspoon of garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the squash and stir again to coat it all as evenly as possible.
Cook the squash – Add the squash to your air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F for 12 minutes. Halfway though cooking, remove the basket and stir the squash a little bit. This helps keep it from sticking to the basket and ensures that all the squash cooks evenly.
Every air fryer is a bit different. If your squash isn’t tender enough, continue cooking in 1-2 minute increments until it’s as soft as you’d like.
FAQ:
Store squash in a cool dry place for a month or so. If you have already cooked it, it will last 3-5 days in your refrigerator.
Butternut squash has a sweet, Earthy flavor that pairs well with just about any dish. We serve these the same way we would sweet potatoes. These butternut squash cubes are delicious alongside pork chops, steak, cheeseburgers, and grilled chicken.
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Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and toss to coat.
- Add the squash to the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees for 12 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Test for doneness and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes as needed.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
W Maiden says
I really enjoyed this recipe — another favorite way to make butternut — with one modification: I cut the salt and spices back to 1/4 tsp each. I can’t imagine using a whole tsp of salt or garlic powder on just 2 cups of squash. I also used regular paprika, not smoked, since that’s what I had. This is a 5-star recipe with those changes.
James P Forbes says
I have always loved butternut squash any way it’s cooked but this is my new favorite. This was so easy, is so delicious and so well suited for the air fryer. Absolutely 5-Stars!!.