Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Crispy Air Fryer Butternut Squash is an easy side dish that requires a few simple ingredients. Seasoned with maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice, it’s savory and sweet.

Earlier this week I made a Vegan Butternut Squash Chili for my family. I only needed 2 cups of the butternut squash, and after I peeled and cubed the it, I still had 4 cups leftover.

So, I decided to use my air fryer to roast the butternut squash, and I’m so glad that I did! I used a few ingredients I had on hand to create a sweet and savory side dish.

This recipe would be perfect for a holiday meal! When you’re preparing numerous dishes oven space can be tight. This recipe using the air fryer frees up the oven!

I served it warm topped with dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and fresh parsley (that’s what I had in fridge), but I think it would pair even better with fresh sage.

Why You’ll Love this Air Fryer Butternut Squash…

• Simple ingredients
• Quick and Easy
• Vegan
• Gluten-Free
• Healthy
• Perfectly roasted
• Crispy
• Savory and Sweet
• Perfect side dish for the holidays!

Ingredients You Need

• 4 cups cubed butternut squash
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Tools and Equipment You Need

You’ll need your trusty air fryer, and a mixing bowl to combine the ingredients.

I use a compact Dash Air Fryer. It’s perfect for small jobs, but not the best for larger recipes. I needed to cook the squash in the air fryer in 3 batches. If you have a larger air fryer it will save you some time.

If you’re looking for a larger air fryer, I suggest the Go Wise 5.8 Qt. It has a larger basket and several specialized settings, and it’s a great value!

How to Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash – Step by Step

Step 1: Combine cubed butternut squash, olive oil, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Stir to combine.

Step 2: Add to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd.

Step 3: Set the temperature to 400 F. Set the time to 10 minutes. Toss at the halfway mark.

Note: Time may differ depending on the size of your air fryer and the size of your cubed butternut squash. It could take anywhere from 10-20 minutes if you have larger pieces.

Do Air Fryers Roast Vegetables?

Yes! They are perfect for making roasted crispy vegetables in no time! The Air Fryer circulates air during the cooking process which helps vegetables cook evenly and crispy on all sides.

What type of oil or spray should you use?

I prefer to use olive oil or olive oil spray when roasting vegetables. I use a small amount of oil to reduce the fat and calories. You may opt out of using the oil all together. However, I find that it helps create a crispy golden brown finish.

Tips and Variations

• Use pre-cut or frozen butternut squash to save time chopping.
• If using frozen, defrost before preparing. Pat dry, and then combine with other ingredients.
• Omit oil if following a whole food plant-based no-oil diet.
• Use cinnamon if you don’t have pumpkin pie spice.
• Start the time with 10 minutes, tossing halfway through. If you need more time based on the size of your air fryer and squash, add 5-10 more minutes of cooking time.

How do you serve Air Fryer Butternut Squash?

I served this squash topped with pumpkin seeds for added crunch, and dried cranberries for a hint of tartness. I had some fresh parsley in the fridge, so I used a bit of that to add some green to the plate. Here are some other suggested toppings…

• Chopped Pecans
• Chopped Walnuts
• Fresh Sage
• Dried Cherries

Check-Out these Air Fryer Recipes!

• Air Fryer Tofu
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Apple Chips

If you’ve tried this Air Fryer Butternut Squash, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more vegan plant-based family recipes your whole family will enjoy!