• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Effortless Foodie
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Ebooks
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Ebooks
    • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe

    Published: Oct 14, 2022 · Modified: Sep 26, 2024 by Beth Sachs · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Air fryer butternut squash pin image.

    Easy air fryer butternut squash cubes are crispy and golden on the outside, with a soft and tender middle! A quick and tasty air fryer vegetable side dish that the whole family will love.

    You might also like my air fryer cauliflower and air fryer parsnips!

    Air fried butternut squash with thyme.

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email you this post for easy access later! You'll also join the Effortless Foodie mailing list and receive my popular 'No Bake Bars and Slices' eBook for free!

    This site is protected by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    This crispy air fried butternut squash is the perfect side dish for so many meals.

    The natural sugars in the squash caramelise during the quick cooking time, giving the cubes a lightly sweet taste.

    Best of all, this easy air fryer squash recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes, so you can enjoy a homemade roasted vegetable with little fuss.

    👩‍🍳 Love air fryer vegetables? Try my easy air fryer broccoli parmesan next!

    eBook front cover.

    ⭐Air Fryer Recipe eBook⭐

    With easy-to-follow recipes & instructions, you'll be able to master the art of air fryer cooking in no time. Buy now for £2.99!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • How do you prepare the whole butternut squash for the air fryer?
    • 🔪 How to cook butternut squash in air fryer
    • Top Tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More healthy air fryer side dishes
    • Love air fryer recipes? Try these next!
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    1. Quick and easy air fryer vegetable side dish.
    2. Made with simple ingredients.
    3. Perfect for roast dinners, or even Christmas lunch!
    4. Crispy on the outside, soft and tender in the middle.

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for air fryer butternut squash.

    Squash - I used butternut squash, but other varieties of squash can be used. Peel, deseed, and cut the squash into 2cm dice.

    Olive Oil - A light olive oil is used to coat the squash. Swap to a cooking spray to save calories.

    Thyme - dried thyme or swap for rosemary or oregano. See more flavour options below!

    Salt & Pepper - for seasoning.

    How do you prepare the whole butternut squash for the air fryer?

    1. Wash and dry the whole butternut squash. Cut off both ends so it sits flat on your cutting board.
    2. Peel the skin from the squash using a sharp knife (or you can leave it on if you like!)
    3. Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard the seeds and fibers from the hollow center.
    4. Place one of the squash halves cut-side down on your cutting board. Cut it lengthwise into 1.5-2 cm (½-1 inch) thick slices.
    5. Stack a few slices at a time and cut them into 1.5-2 cm (½-1 inch) cubes.
    6. Repeat with the remaining squash half until all pieces are cubed.

    🔪 How to cook butternut squash in air fryer

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Preheat the air fryer to 180C (350F).

    Two: Put the diced butternut squash in a bowl and add the olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix with a spoon until all the cubes are coated in the seasoning.

    Three: Place the squash in the air fryer basket and air fry for 15-18 minutes until golden and crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. Shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.

    💡 Pro Tip! Test to see if they are cooked by piercing a cube with a sharp knife. It should glide in easily.

    Butternut squash cubes in Ninja Foodi air fryer.

    Top Tips

    • Try to cut the squash into roughly the same size cubes.
    • Make sure the butternut squash cubes are in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure they cook evenly. Depending on what size air fryer you have, you may need to air fryer them in several batches.
    • Save time peeling and dicing the squash and buy prepared squash cubes from the supermarket. You'll need about 400g.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Serve the air fryer butternut squash as a side dish to all of your favourite meals!

    It's great with Christmas turkey, air fryer whole chicken, cottage pie, and slow cooker sausage casserole.

    The squash cubes can also be added to salad bowls. They're delicious in my beetroot and goat's cheese salad.

    A plate of air fryer butternut squash.

    📖 Variations

    • Try different seasonings. Smoked paprika, chilli flakes, cinnamon rosemary, and garlic powder all work well. You can also use ready-made herb blends such as Italian herb and Cajun.
    • Swap butternut squash for sweet potato cubes.
    • Drizzle over a little honey before air frying.
    • Sprinkle over grated Parmesan for cheesy butternut squash.
    • Make butternut squash fries instead of cubes. They're great for dipping in air fryer baked camembert!

    🥡 Storage

    The butternut squash cubes are best eaten fresh, straight out of the air fryer.

    Store - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Reheat - In the air fryer at 180 °C for 3 minutes, oven, or microwave. They can also be added to salad bowls.

    Freeze - Not suitable for home freezing.

    Air fried butternut squash  cubes on a plate.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    Do I need to peel butternut squash before air frying?

    You can leave the skin on when roasting in the oven, however, when air frying it crisps up much better with the skin off.

    Can I air fryer frozen butternut squash?

    Yes, frozen squash purchased from the freezer section of the supermarket can be air fried from frozen. You may need to increase the cooking time accordingly.

    Is butternut squash healthier than sweet potato?

    Butternut squash contains fewer calories, carbs and sugar per serving than sweet potato. It's also rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B6 and E.

    How long to air fry butternut squash?

    The size of the diced squash pieces will affect cook time. Smaller pieces will cook faster than larger pieces. Most recipes recommend 15-20 minutes for air frying butternut squash, though it may take a few minutes less or more depending on your air fryer model and amount of squash.

    Can I use frozen butternut squash?

    Yes you can, but the cubes wont be so crispy!

    😋 More healthy air fryer side dishes

    • Air Fryer Asparagus
    • Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
    • Air Fryer Green Beans
    • Air Fryer Radishes
    • Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan
    • Air Fryer Parsnips
    • Air Fryer Baby Carrots

    Love air fryer recipes? Try these next!

    • Air fryer tuna mwlt sandwich on a wooden board with salad and crisps.
      Best Ever Air Fryer Tuna Melt Recipe
    • Air fryer mini egg dessert pots with a scoop of ice cream on top.
      Air Fryer Mini Egg Dessert Pots
    • Gourmet air fryer panini on a wooden board.
      Easy Air Fryer Panini (Ham & Brie)
    • Air fryer creme egg croissant on a plate with raspberries and blueberries and a glass of milk in the background.
      Air Fryer Creme Egg Croissant Recipe

    Check out my eBook⭐Easy Air Fryer Recipes⭐ which includes 20 straightforward and easy-to-follow recipes for your air fryer. You'll be a pro at air fryer cooking in no time! Don't miss out, get your copy today!

    Air fryer butternut squash on a white plate.

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Air fryer butternut squash cubes on a white plate.
    Email
    Print Pin
    5 from 2 votes

    Easy Air Fryer Butternut Squash

    Easy air fryer butternut squash cubes are crispy and golden on the outside, with a soft and tender middle! A quick and tasty air fryer vegetable side dish that the whole family will love!
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine British
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 18 minutes minutes
    Total Time 23 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 116kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email you this post for easy access later! You'll also join the Effortless Foodie mailing list and receive my popular 'No Bake Bars and Slices' eBook for free!

    This site is protected by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Equipment

    • Chopping Board
    • Knife
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 1 Butternut Squash peeled, halved, deseeded and cubed into 2cm dice.
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
    • ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F).
    • Put the diced butternut squash in a bowl and add the olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix with a spoon until all the cubes are coated in the seasoning.
      1 Butternut Squash, 1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme, ½ teaspoon Sea Salt, ¼ teaspoon Pepper
    • Place the squash in the air fryer basket and air fry for 15-18 minutes until golden and crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. Shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.

    Video

    Notes

    Expert Tips:
    • Try to cut the squash into roughly the same size cubes.
    • Make sure the butternut squash cubes are in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure they cook evenly. Depending on what size air fryer you have, you may need to air fryer them in several batches.
     
    Variations:
    • Try different seasonings. Smoked paprika, chilli flakes, rosemary, and garlic powder all work well. You can also use ready-made herb blends such as Italian herb and Cajun.
    • Swap butternut squash for sweet potato cubes.
    • Drizzle over a little honey before air frying.
    • Sprinkle over grated Parmesan for cheesy butternut squash.
    • Make butternut squash fries instead of cubes. They're great for dipping in air fryer baked camembert!
     
    Storage:
    The butternut squash cubes are best eaten fresh, straight out of the air fryer.
    Store - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    Reheat - In the air fryer at 180C for 3 minutes, oven, or microwave. They can also be added to salad bowls cold.
    Freeze - Not suitable for home freezing.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Air Fryer Butternut Squash
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    116
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    4
    g
    6
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.4
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Sodium
     
    298
    mg
    13
    %
    Potassium
     
    664
    mg
    19
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    22
    g
    7
    %
    Fiber
     
    4
    g
    17
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    2
    g
    4
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    19941
    IU
    399
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    40
    mg
    48
    %
    Calcium
     
    95
    mg
    10
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air fryer pigs in blankets
      Air Fryer Pigs in Blankets Recipe
    • Air fryer parsnips on a plate.
      Easy Air Fryer Parsnips Recipe
    • Crispy air fryer brussels sprouts.
      Quick Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts and Chestnuts
    • Air fryer stuffing balls in a bowl.
      Easy Air Fryer Stuffing Balls

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Beth!

    Mum of three (and two crazy dogs), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

    Read more!

    My Web Stories

    Footer

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2025 Effortless Foodie

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.