These seasoned, air fryer butternut squash cubes are the perfect easy side dish. Perfect for adding to salads or as a tasty snack these tasty cubes are ready in no time and made with just a few simple ingredients.
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I'm a big butternut squash fan. I buy one every week in my food shopping and I usually get two dinners out of one squash. Whether it's a butternut squash stuffed pasta dish or a roasted butternut squash soup, I will always find a use for this very versatile vegetable.
One of my favourite ways to cook butternut squash is to roast it. I love the flavour of roasted butternut squash, it's warming, nutty and slightly sweet in flavour, making it a great addition to most meals.
Since I bought my air fryer though, I love to use it to make air-fried butternut squash. It's such an easy way to make roasted butternut squash. Especially when you don't want to turn on the oven. This is now my favourite way to roast up some squash.
What You'll Need
- Butternut squash - I use a medium-sized butternut squash for this recipe. It will need to be peeled and cut into cubes.
- Oil - A lot of recipes call for spray oils to make air fryer squash but I prefer to use olive oil as you really need to coat each and every cube, spray just doesn't cut the mustard for me.
- Herbs and spices - I use dried oregano, smoked paprika and garlic powder for this recipe. You can easily switch up the seasoning here if you like.
How To Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash
*This full list of ingredients and detailed steps can be found in the recipe card below.
1. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the butternut squash. Then, using a sharp knife cut the squash in half and scoop out the flesh and seeds. Cut the squash into cubes, they don't have to be exact just try and get them to a similar size.
2. Tip the squash into a large bowl, add the oil and spices and herbs. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and toss well.
3. Tip half the squash into the air fryer basket, ensuring you have a single layer of squash. Put the basket into the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes at 200°C/ 400°F
4. Remove the basket halfway through cooking and give it a shake. After 20 minutes check the squash is tender by using a fork or sharp knife. Repeat for the remaining squash.
Tips and Variations
- Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to cook the squash in two batches. I don't like to overload the basket as you can end up steaming the squash. Cooking the squash in an even layer will give you the best results.
- Try and cut the butternut squash into evenly sized cubes. This will ensure that they will cook evenly. Please be aware the cooking time may vary if the cubes are too big or too small.
- This butternut squash comes out on the spicier side but you can easily reduce the amount of smoked paprika if you like.
- You can also cook this without any herbs or spices and just season it with salt and pepper if you prefer.
- If you'd like a sweeter version of this swap the smoked paprika for a pinch of cinnamon and a teaspoon or two of brown sugar or maple syrup.
- Not a fan of butternut squash? Then try my Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes!
How To Serve It
- In Salads - We love this added to salads, I add it to my favourite Halloumi Salad for a tasty weeknight dinner.
- Add it to curries - You can also add it to curries, I sometimes add it to my Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry to add a little extra sweet and nutty flavour.
- As a side dish - I like to serve these as a side dish, they're perfect with my Halloumi Burgers or Falafel Burgers.
- As a snack - These air-fried butternut squash cubes are great as a snack, serve them with garlic mayo, hummus or a yoghurt dip.
FAQs
I remove the skin when cooking these in the air fryer, the air fryer is at quite a high temperature so the skin will just toughen up when cooked in the air fryer, in my experience.
Any leftovers, once cooled, can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and will keep for 3- 4 days.
Yes, you can prepare the butternut squash the day before, keep them covered in the fridge and then cook them. Or you can cook them and then reheat them in the air fryer until they are piping hot. I use the reheat option on my air fryer.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you're new to air frying I have a couple of very easy recipes for you to help you get started. My air fryer potato wedges are a great side dish and so quick and easy to make in the air fryer. They come out perfectly crispy every time! My Air Fryer Baked Potatoes is another easy air fryer recipe and this is now my favourite way to make baked potatoes! And if you fancy a quick pizza try my Air Fryer French Bread Pizza, perfect for a tasty lunch.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash Peeled and cut in half, seeds and stringy flesh removed.
- 1½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ level tbsp smoked paprika you can use less here if you prefer
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground sea salt + more for serving
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more for serving
Instructions
- Peel the butternut squash, I use a vegetable peeler to do this. Then using a sharp knife cut the butternut squash in half widthways. Remove the seeds and any stringy flesh. Cut the squash it one-inch cubes, they don't need to be precise but as similar as possible.
- Tip the squash cubes into a large bowl, add 1½ tablespoons of olive oil, one tablespoon of dried oregano, half a level tablespoon of smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder and salt and pepper.Toss the squash well, ensuring that each cube is covered in the oil and seasonings.
- Tip half the squash into the air fryer basket. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook at 200°C / 400°F for 20 minutes.After 10 minutes remove the basket from the air fryer and give it a good shake, return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
- To check the squash is cooked pierce a cube or two with a sharp knife, the centre should be tender.Repeat with the remaining butternut squash.
Notes
- Butternut squash - I remove the skin when cooking these in the air fryer, the air fryer is at quite a high temperature so the skin will just toughen up when cooked in the air fryer, in my experience.
- Leftovers - Any leftovers, once cooled, can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge and will keep for 3- 4 days.
- Make ahead - You can prepare the butternut squash the day before, keep them covered in the fridge and then cook them. Or you can cook them and then reheat them in the air fryer until they are piping hot. I use the reheat option on my air fryer.
- Nutritional Information - all nutritional information shared is an estimate based on third-party calculations. If calorie count and/or nutritional values are important to you, we recommend putting the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary depending on which brands were used. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
- Weights and measurements - For US readers, I use Cuisipro measuring cups and spoons, and a Pyrex measuring jug for liquids. These are the industry standard. Cup/spoon volumes can differ from brand to brand, for accuracy, I recommend weighing all ingredients if possible for the best results.
Annette Chambers
Looks so tasty.
I'm definitely going to try that. X
Michelle Alston
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy it x