Air Fryer Butternut Squash: How Long To Cook?

Butternut squash is a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be cooked in an air fryer to create a range of tasty dishes. The air fryer method is quicker than roasting in an oven and gives the squash a crispy texture and a sweet, savoury flavour. You can cook butternut squash whole, halved, or cubed, and season it with spices, salt, pepper, cinnamon, or maple syrup.

How to prepare butternut squash for the air fryer

Preparing butternut squash for the air fryer is a simple process, but it does require a few steps to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to get your butternut squash ready for cooking in an air fryer.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Tools

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools. For this method, you will need:

• A butternut squash (whole or pre-cut)
• Olive oil or another cooking oil of your choice (such as avocado oil or grapeseed oil)
• Spices and seasonings of your choice (such as salt, pepper, cinnamon, garlic powder, or chilli powder, or a mix of your choice)
• A sharp knife
• A vegetable peeler
• A spoon
• A baking tray (optional)
• A pastry brush (optional)

Step 2: Cut and Clean the Butternut Squash

Start by cutting the butternut squash in half lengthwise using a sharp knife. If your squash is too hard to cut, you can poke it with a fork and microwave it for 3-4 minutes to soften it slightly. Once cut, use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds and pulp.

Step 3: Season the Butternut Squash

Drizzle or brush olive oil over the cut side of the squash. You can also use melted butter or another oil of your choice. Then, season the squash with your desired spices and seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like cinnamon, garlic powder, chilli powder, or a mix of your choice. You can also sprinkle brown sugar on top for added sweetness and caramelization.

Step 4: Place in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned butternut squash in the air fryer basket, cut side up. If your squash is too large to fit, you may need to cut it into quarters. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature and cooking time, following the guidelines below.

Cooking Guidelines

The cooking time and temperature will depend on whether you are cooking the butternut squash in halves or cubes. For halves, cook at 350°F for 30-50 minutes. For cubes, cook at 380-390°F for 15-20 minutes. Remember to check on your squash during cooking and adjust the time as needed, as all air fryers heat differently.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the butternut squash is tender and cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and serve it as a side dish or use it in your favourite recipes. You can slice or mash the squash and top it with butter, or add it to soups, salads, risottos, and more!

How to store leftover squash

Storing leftover butternut squash is easy. If you have cooked butternut squash, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will last for up to four to five days. Reheat the squash in a saucepan or microwave when you're ready to eat it.

If you have a whole uncut squash, it's best to store it in a cool, dry place, such as a basement or closet, rather than the refrigerator. The ideal temperature for long-term storage is between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the squash can last for up to six months.

For cut butternut squash, it's important to refrigerate it immediately. Wrap the squash securely in plastic wrap or place it in a resealable plastic bag, and store it in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. When properly wrapped, cut butternut squash can last for up to five days in the refrigerator. Avoid storing cut squash near ripening fruit, as the ethylene gas will shorten its storage life.

You can also freeze cut butternut squash. Spread the pieces out on a cookie sheet and flash freeze them. Once frozen, transfer the squash to a freezer-safe container or plastic bag. Frozen squash will keep indefinitely but is best used within six months to a year.

How to serve air-fried butternut squash

There are many ways to serve air-fried butternut squash. Here are some suggestions:

As a Side Dish

You can serve air-fried butternut squash as a simple, healthy side dish to accompany a variety of meals. It goes particularly well with roasted chicken, turkey breast, or crispy baked pork chops. It can also be served with air fryer duck, lamb chops, or whole roasted chicken.

In a Salad

Add some air-fried butternut squash to a salad, such as a fall-based salad or Buddha bowl. You could also try a Butternut Squash and Quinoa Salad, made with simple ingredients and fall flavors, which is a perfect Thanksgiving side dish.

In a Soup, Stew, or Curry

Air-fried butternut squash can be added to soups, stews, and curries. For example, you could blend it with broth and add a splash of cream to make a soup.

In a Pasta Dish or Risotto

You can also add air-fried butternut squash to pasta dishes, such as bolognese or pasta bakes, and risottos.

For Breakfast

Try adding air-fried butternut squash to scrambled eggs for a healthy breakfast side, or toss it into a breakfast hash or vegan frittata/omelette.

In a Wrap or Panini

Air-fried butternut squash can also be added to wraps and paninis.

As a Holiday Side Dish

This is a perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish, especially when seasoned with cinnamon and brown sugar.

In a Bowl

Meal prep air-fried butternut squash with air fryer chicken breast and a veggie, such as broccoli or Brussels sprouts, to make a bowl.

With Extra Seasonings

You can experiment with different seasonings to change up the flavors of your air-fried butternut squash. For a spicy kick, add a dash of chili powder and paprika. For a savory dish, toss the squash with spices like rosemary, thyme, onion powder, or garlic. For sweeter flavors, add cinnamon, brown sugar, or nutmeg, or even a tablespoon of maple syrup.

How to make butternut squash in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 medium butternut squash
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Brown sugar (optional)

Utensils:

• Sharp knife
• Spoon
• Air fryer
• Pastry brush (optional)

Method:

First, decide whether you want to roast your butternut squash as halves or cubes.

If you want to roast it as halves, cut the squash in half lengthways and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Place the two halves onto a baking tray, skin side down. Drizzle olive oil over the cut side of the squash and season with salt and pepper. Rub the oil and seasoning across the exposed butternut squash with your hands or a pastry brush. Place the pieces of butternut squash skin side down into the air fryer basket and set the heat to 180°C for 30 minutes.

If you want to roast it as cubes, cut the ends off the butternut squash and slice the skin off the outside. Cut the squash in half lengthways, scoop out the seeds and dice the squash into 1.5cm cubes. Place the cubes into the air fryer basket, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly and spread the cubes out into a single layer. Set the air fryer to 180°C and cook for 15 minutes.

Tips:

• The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your butternut squash. Test the squash with a fork to ensure that it is tender. If not, cook for a further 5 minutes and test again.
• You can add other seasonings to your butternut squash, such as onion powder, garlic powder, sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, or maple syrup.
• You can also add butter or grated parmesan cheese to your cooked butternut squash.

Seasoning options for butternut squash

There are many different seasoning options for butternut squash, which can be adapted to suit your tastes. Here are some ideas:

Spicy Butternut Squash

Create a spice mix using:

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon chilli powder (or less/more depending on your preference for spice)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt flakes
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)

Savory Mix

Try a savoury mix of spices:

• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Sweet paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Brown sugar (optional)

Cinnamon and Salt

For a simpler option, try seasoning with cinnamon and salt, or even just salt and pepper.

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash

Instead of drizzling olive oil over the butternut squash, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a small bowl along with 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup. Whisk to combine and then drizzle over the squash. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

Other Seasoning Ideas

• Dried rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, or Italian seasoning
• Maple syrup/brown sugar (1-2 tablespoons) + cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice)
• Fresh parsley (to garnish)

Frequently asked questions