Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Air fryer butternut squash turns out soft and sweet in the middle with browned, slightly caramelised edges, and it needs just 18 minutes at 200°C once the basket is hot. You only need a splash of olive oil and a few storecupboard spices, and there is no oven to heat up. This makes enough for four people as a side dish, from one small squash cut into even 2cm cubes.
- Total
- 33 min
- Prep
- 12 min
- Cook
- 21 min
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 95kcal
Choosing the ingredients for air fryer butternut squash
A small squash, around 800g, is the right size for a standard basket. Pick one that feels heavy for its size, with a dry, matte skin and no soft spots. A very large squash is fine too, but it will not fit in one layer, so cook it in two batches.
Peeling is the awkward part. If the skin resists, prick the whole squash a few times with a fork and microwave it for 2 minutes, then leave it for a minute before cutting. That softens the skin slightly, and makes it safer to cut through. Use a large, sharp knife on a board that will not slide.
Olive oil is all the fat you need. One tablespoon coats about 600g of cubes lightly, which is why the cubes brown and do not turn greasy. Salt goes in at half a teaspoon, which keeps the portion at about 0.8g of salt.
How to prepare air fryer butternut squash
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Peel and cube the squash Cut off the stalk and base, then peel the squash with a sturdy peeler. Cut it in half lengthways, scoop out the seeds with a spoon and cut the flesh into 2cm cubes. Try to keep them the same size, so they cook at the same rate.
- Season the cubes Put the cubes in a large bowl with the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and thyme. Toss well, until every piece is lightly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer Heat the air fryer to 200°C for , so the basket is hot when the squash goes in.
- Cook the squash Tip the cubes into the basket in a single layer, with a little space between them. Cook at 200°C for , shaking the basket after so the pieces brown evenly.
- Check and serve Pierce a cube with a fork. It should slide in easily, and the edges should be golden brown. If the middles are still firm, cook for more. Serve straight away.
What to serve with air fryer butternut squash
The sweetness suits roast chicken, sausages, a nut roast or a pork chop, and it works well on a Sunday roast plate next to the gravy. Tossed through a bowl of couscous or rice with some feta and toasted seeds, it makes a simple vegetarian lunch.
Oven alternative, swaps and ideas
If you do not have an air fryer, roast the cubes on a lined baking tray at 220°C (200°C fan), gas 7, for 30–35 minutes, turning them halfway. They will be a little less crisp at the edges but taste just as good.
Dried sage or rosemary can replace the thyme, and a pinch of chilli flakes or smoked paprika adds some heat. For a sweeter finish, stir 1 tsp of maple syrup through the cubes after they come out of the basket, because sugar burns if it goes in earlier. A pinch of cinnamon with the other spices also works well with squash.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- The squash is soft and pale instead of browned.
- The basket was too full, so the cubes steamed rather than roasted. Keep them in one layer, and if your basket is smaller than 4.5 litres, cook the squash in two batches of 18 minutes.
- Some pieces are burnt while others are still hard.
- The cubes were different sizes. Cut them to 2cm as in the first step, and shake the basket halfway so the small pieces do not sit at the edges of the basket the whole time.
- The seasoning has burnt and tastes bitter.
- Garlic powder scorches quickly at 200°C if it sits on the bare basket. Toss the cubes in the oil first, as in the second step, so the spices cling to the oil, not the metal.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Butternut Squash
How long do you cook butternut squash in the air fryer?
18 minutes at 200°C for 2cm cubes, after a 3-minute preheat. Shake the basket halfway through.
Do you have to peel butternut squash for the air fryer?
No, the skin is edible, but it stays chewy in an air fryer. Peeling gives a softer, sweeter result, so peel it if you can.
Can you cook butternut squash from frozen?
Yes. Cook frozen cubes at 200°C for 18–20 minutes, shaking the basket twice. There is no need to defrost them first, but they will brown a little less.
How long does cooked butternut squash keep?
Up to 2 days in a covered container in the fridge. Reheat it in the air fryer at 180°C for 3–4 minutes, until steaming hot.
How did you like the recipe?
4.8 / 5 · 51 ratings
