Air Fryer Butternut Squash is an easy holiday side dish that requires just a few ingredients and comes together quickly in the air fryer. These butternut squash fries are seasoned with herbs, spices and maple syrup, so they strike just the right balance of sweet and spicy.
The Canadian Thanksgiving is a little over a week away so I thought it was time I shared a side dish for the upcoming holiday season. Which really means these air fryer butternut squash home fries will be on repeat from now until Christmas!
They cook up in about half the time as they do in the oven, and they have a touch of heat from the chipotle pepper and a hint of sweetness from the maple syrup that caramelizes around the squash cubes.
I’m pretty sure you’re going to love these squash fries just as much as I do.
Here’s how we do it…..
Ingredients for Air Fryer Butternut Squash:
- Butternut squash cubes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Dried oregano
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Kosher salt
- Ground chipotle chili pepper
How to cut a butternut squash:
I’m not going to lie. I used to buy pre-cut butternut squash cubes as I was always a bit nervous about cutting squash. But after watching this video from The Kitchn on how to peel and cut a butternut squash, it’s not as hard as you might think.
- Make sure you have a large sharp knife and that your cutting surface is stable. I’ve actually started placing a damp cloth under mine to prevent it from moving.
- Cut the top and bottom off the squash. By doing this, you can stand up the squash and it’s easier to work with. I also buy smaller butternut squash as I find them easier to manage.
- Peel the squash with a vegetable peeler. Please don’t use a knife like I used to do. A peeler is much easier!
- Once peeled, cut the squash in half where the neck meets the body. Then cut the neck into rounds and cut each round into 1-inch cubes.
- Cut the body in half and scoop out the seeds. Chop each half into 1-inch cubes. Don’t worry if they are not all precisely 1-inch in size.
How to roast Butternut Squash in the air fryer:
- Once you have your butternut squash cut, add the cubes to a bowl along with the remaining ingredients. Toss until the cubes are well coated.
- Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry on 400F for 15-20 minutes, or until fork tender and a little crispy on the outside. Give them a shake or stir at the mid-way point.
- Carefully remove from the air fryer and serve immediately.
How to serve air fryer butternut squash fries:
- These are a perfect holiday side dish served along side your turkey or ham.
- My favourite way to dress them up is with some homemade savoury granola and goat cheese crumbles sprinkled on top.
- You can also add some raw pumpkin seeds or pecans on top if you don’t have time to make granola, and forego the cheese to keep them dairy-free and vegan.
- And if holiday side dishes aren’t your thing, these home fries go perfectly on top of a grain bowl or leafy green salad.
Can you use frozen butternut squash cubes in this air fryer recipe?
While I use frozen butternut squash cubes for other recipes, I don’t recommend using them in this air fryer recipe. The cubes get a bit watery, which results in a less than firm texture for these squash home fries.
Can you re-heat these air fryer home fries?
These air fryer squash cubes are best served and enjoyed immediately. But if you have leftovers, you can re-heat them in the microwave or in the oven on a low temperature. Just keep in mind that they will have a softer texture compared to when they first came out of the air fryer.
Some tips for making this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe:
- If you want to save a bit of time, or you just don’t want to tackle cutting a squash, buy pre-cut butternut squash cubes at your grocery store.
- When cutting the squash into cubes, you want them to be close in size so they air fry evenly. But don’t worry if the cubes are not all precisely 1-inch in size. (I definitely don’t break out my measuring tape!)
- These squash fries have a spicy kick. If that’s not your thing, you can reduce the amount of ground chipotle pepper you add to the recipe, or leave it out altogether.
- Stick with dried herbs and spices for this air fryer recipe. I attempted to make it with fresh herbs and minced garlic, and it just didn’t stick to the squash as well as dried herbs and spices. And the fresh herbs and garlic just fell through the air fryer basket!
- Time your meal so your squash comes out of the air fryer when you’re ready to eat. If the fries are left sitting for too long, they will lose some of their firm and crispy texture.
Pin this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe to make for Thanksgiving!
Other air fryer recipes you might enjoy:
- Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes have a chili lime seasoning and work well as a side dish or a straight up snack.
- Air Fryer Tortilla Chips are a healthier way to enjoy all of those dips you’re going to be whipping up during the holiday season.
- Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets from Carmy are a quick, easy and healthier version of a childhood favourite.
If you make this Air Fryer Butternut Squash recipe, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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PrintAir Fryer Butternut Squash (Home Fries)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Description
Air Fryer Butternut Squash is an easy holiday side dish that requires just a few ingredients and comes together quickly in the air fryer. These butternut squash fries are seasoned with herbs, spices and maple syrup, so they strike just the right balance of sweet and spicy.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped butternut squash, 1-inch cubes (see cutting tips above)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle chili pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the squash cubes along with the other ingredients. Toss until the cubes are well coated.
- Arrange the cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry on 400F for 15-20 minutes, or until the squash is fork tender and a little crispy on the outside. Shake or stir the cubes at the mid-way point.
- Carefully remove from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Notes
- I use a Cuisinart air fryer/convection/toaster oven. Depending on the make and model of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the cook time or temperature slightly.
- If you want to save a bit of time, buy pre-cut butternut squash cubes at your grocery store.
- When cutting the squash into cubes, make sure they are close in size so they air fry evenly. But don’t worry if the cubes are not all precisely 1-inch in size.
- For less spicy fries, reduce the amount of ground chipotle chili pepper or leave it out altogether.
- Stick with dried herbs and spices for this air fryer recipe. Fresh herbs and minced garlic do not stick to the squash cubes as well as dried herbs and spices.
- Time your meal so your squash comes out of the air fryer when you’re ready to eat. If the squash fries are left sitting for too long, they will lose some of their firm and crispy texture.
Keywords: air fryer home fries, squash fries, squash cubes
Flavours of Fall
Welcome to Flavours of Fall where we celebrate all things associated with fall like squash, apples, pecans, sweaters, football; you get the idea! Ellen from Family Around the Table and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures have gathered 24 bloggers who have over 100 recipes they’re sharing this week in celebration of cool weather and sweatshirts. We hope you find many must make recipes so get your pinning, tweeting, and sharing fingers ready!
Here’s what we made for Friday:
Beverages
Cold Brew Pumpkin Spice Latte by Palatable Pastime
Pomegranate Ginger Whiskey Sour by The Redhead Baker
Slow Cooker Spiked Apple Cider by Cheese Curd In Paradise
Vanilla Caramel Apple Latte by Blogghetti
Breakfast
Pecan Cinnamon Rolls by Red Cottage Chronicles
Pumpkin Pie Pecan Butter by Daily Dish Recipes
Savory
Air Fryer Butternut Squash by Crumb Top Baking
Roasted Fall Veggies Tacos by Our Good Life
Desserts
Bourbon Pecan Pie Affogato by Books n’ Cooks
Caramel Apple Autumn Spice Parfait by The Freshman Cook
Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting by Sweet Beginnings
Make sure you like Fall Flavors on Facebook and follow the Fall Flavors on Pinterest, too!
So good! I used avocado oil and a honey butternut squash. I have the vortex plus and only needed 10 minutes of cook time. Thanks!!
★★★★★
Hi Carrie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe. And thanks for sharing your substitutions and the cook time for the Vortex Plus!
Perfect side dish at our Thanksgiving dinner this weekend.
★★★★★
So good to hear! Thanks Kelly!
We are new to a plant based diet and to the air fryer and love both. The butternut squash recipe is right on. I’ve applied it to some other “sturdy” veggies and it works great for those too. Way to go on this!
That’s so good to hear Julie! Thanks for letting me know. I’m glad you’re enjoying your air fryer!
I made this tonight. The seasonings were good however the squash was still a little more mushy than I care for. The next time I cook this I will do it at a slightly higher temperature
Hi Julie. Thanks for your feedback. If you air fry them at a higher temperature, just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
This is genius!! I was about to buy a butternut squash, but I didn’t know what to do with it. Now I need to buy a butternut squash AND an air fryer, or else I won’t be able to stop thinking about this!!
★★★★★
Haha! Thanks Cathleen! Hope you were able to buy both and give this recipe a try!
These look amazing, Leanne! The hubs has been asking me if I want an air fryer and I keep debating, because space and yet another appliance, but the more I’m seeing recipes like this one, the more I’m thinking I DO need one!
★★★★★
We love our air fryer! Thanks Jaida!
Loving all the tips you shared here to cut that butternut squash. I love it, but do not buy much as it is so difficult to cut, will follow your steps next time. The air fryer fries looks perfectly crisp
★★★★★
Thanks Renu! I’m you glad you find the tips helpful!
These butternut squash home fries look so delicious and cooking them in an air fryer is brilliant because they get perfectly crispy on the outside.
★★★★★
Thanks Jenni!
This squash looks just perfect. I definitely need to get an air-frier soon.
★★★★★
We love ours! Thanks Ramona!
This is cool. I have not tried butternut squash in air fryer. I am maki g this right now.
★★★★★
Hope you liked it! Thanks!
I’ve roasted butternut squash, but never thought of fries! Genius! And I love that they’re made in the air fryer. Love mine.
Thanks Christie!
I am new to having an air fryer – will definitely be trying this one with the squash from the garden!
★★★★★
Be sure to let me know what you think!
I don’t eat butternut squash nearly enough. I need to try this!
★★★★★
Hope you get a chance to make it!
My mum has an airfryer and her chips are always incredible so I’m sure this would be delicious too, with all those blackened garnly bits (yum!). I will pass the recipe on to her to try!
Thanks Alex! I hope your mom gets a chance to try the recipe!
Ok I think I need to get an air fryer solely for this recipe! It looks absolutely scrumptious and perfect for Thanksgiving. Love how thorough you explain things too.
★★★★★
Thanks so much! We love our air fryer!
This is such a lovely side dish, Leanne! The photographs looks delicious! Butternut squash is one of my favourite fall squashes. Thanks for all the tips and techniques. I am sure many folks will be making your Air Fryer Butternut Squash side dish recipe for Thanksgiving this year :).
★★★★★
Thanks for your kind comment Denise! Hope all is well!
Leanne, I’m SO happy you shared this recipe. I have lots of butternut squash leftover from an earlier recipe that I’ve been looking to find a use for. This is perfect for Thanksgiving weekend!
★★★★★
Great timing! Thanks Yvonne! Hope you liked it!
I’ve never tried making squash in my air fryer, I’ll have to try this soon!
Hope you get the chance!