Name: Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 large butternut squash (5 cups cubed); 2-3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or pure maple syrup); 3/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

There's something wonderfully cozy about caramelized butternut squash with a hint of warm spices, and this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe captures just that. The ease of air frying makes it a speedy, hands-off side that's both tender and perfectly crisped on the edges—trust me, it quickly became a favorite in my kitchen!

A white bowl filled with about two layers of small, golden brown cooked potato cubes, with some pieces showing a slightly darker, crispy texture. The potatoes look soft and coated in a shiny glaze with specks of seasoning. A spoon with a black handle is partly inside the bowl resting on the potatoes. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, near two cinnamon sticks lying on the top right and a white cloth on the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe multiple times throughout autumn and winter because it’s simple, delightful, and brings out the natural sweetness of the squash with a cozy spicy twist.

Quick & Effortless: Air frying cuts your cooking time way down compared to roasting in the oven.
Perfect Texture: The squash gets tender and lightly caramelized on the outside without becoming mushy.
Flavorful Cozy Spices: The combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweetener balances savory and sweet beautifully.
Versatile Side Dish: Works well with everything from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This simple ingredient lineup creates that signature blend of sweet, salty, and warm spices that elevate plain squash into something special. Plus, the olive oil helps it crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.

Flat lay of a large butternut squash whole and uncut showing its smooth tan skin, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright orange cubed butternut squash, a small white ceramic bowl with golden olive oil glistening, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden brown sugar crystals, a small white ceramic bowl with fine ground cinnamon powder in warm reddish brown, a small white ceramic bowl containing fine light beige ground nutmeg powder, and a small white ceramic bowl of coarse white sea salt crystals, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butternut Squash: Choose a firm squash with no soft spots; peeling and cubing it evenly helps it cook consistently.
Olive Oil: Just enough to coat—this promotes caramelization and that golden color without soaking the squash.
Brown Sugar (or Maple Syrup): Adds natural sweetness and helps the squash develop a delicious glaze.
Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Ground Cinnamon: Brings warmth and a hint of spice that feels like autumn in every bite.
Ground Nutmeg: Just a touch adds depth without overpowering—use fresh if you can for the best aroma.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe my own by switching up the spices or sweetener depending on what I’m in the mood for. You can easily adjust the sweetness or spice level to suit your taste buds!

Variation: I sometimes sprinkle in a bit of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky kick that pairs well with savory mains.
Dairy-Free Option: This recipe is naturally dairy-free, so it's perfect if you're avoiding butter.
Use Maple Syrup Instead of Brown Sugar: I’ve found pure maple syrup gives a lovely, slightly more complex sweetness that I really enjoy during the holidays.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe

The image shows many small cubes of roasted butternut squash with a golden-orange color and slightly crispy edges. They are spread out evenly on a wire cooling rack. The background is a white marbled texture, making the bright orange color of the squash stand out clearly. The cubes have a soft, roasted texture with some areas a bit darker, showing light browning. There are no other elements visible in the image. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Peel, Cube, and Season

Start by peeling your large butternut squash carefully—using a sturdy vegetable peeler works best. Then, chop it into roughly 1-inch chunks for even cooking. Toss the cubes in a big bowl with olive oil, brown sugar (or maple syrup), salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Give everything a good mix so each piece is coated evenly. This little step makes all the difference for flavor!

Step 2: Air Fry in Batches (If Needed)

Place the seasoned squash into your air fryer basket. If yours is small like mine, work in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can prevent browning. Don’t worry if the squash pieces aren’t in a single layer—just don’t pile them too thick!

Step 3: Cook and Shake

Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook the squash for 20-30 minutes, shaking the basket every 10 minutes. Shaking helps them cook evenly and get those delicious, caramelized edges. You’ll know they’re done when fork-tender and golden but not burnt. If you’re feeling impatient, start checking around 20 minutes.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your air-fried butternut squash immediately for the best texture—warm, tender, and a little crisp. It’s a perfect side with all kinds of mains or even tossed into salads for a sweet-spiced touch.

Top Tip

After making this recipe a dozen times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference for tender, flavorful butternut squash every time.

Even Cubes: Cutting the squash into uniform pieces ensures they cook evenly without some being mushy while others are underdone.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Give the cubes room to roast properly. Too many piled up means they steam instead of crisping.
Shake It Up: Shaking the basket every 10 minutes prevents sticking and promotes golden edges.
Watch Your Timing: Start checking around 20 minutes because every air fryer heats just a bit differently.

How to Serve Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or a bit of toasted pepitas on top for a bright, crunchy contrast. A light drizzle of balsamic glaze is another favorite that adds a nice tangy counterpoint to the sweet spices.

Side Dishes

This air fryer butternut squash pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or even a hearty grain bowl featuring quinoa or farro. It also works well alongside a fresh green salad with a citrusy vinaigrette for a light dinner.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve arranged these squash cubes on a large platter garnished with sprigs of rosemary and edible flowers for a festive look. Tossing them into a warm grain salad with dried cranberries and goat cheese also makes a lovely centerpiece side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The squash holds its flavor well but will soften a bit, so I like to re-crisp it before serving again.

Freezing

Freezing cooked butternut squash works fine—just flash freeze the cubes on a tray first, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

Reheat leftover squash in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 375°F to bring back some of the crispiness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that roasted texture intact.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen butternut squash for this recipe?

You can use frozen butternut squash, but I find fresh cubes give a better texture. If you do use frozen, thaw and pat dry well to avoid sogginess, and adjust cooking time accordingly.

How do I prevent the squash from burning in the air fryer?

Make sure to shake the basket every 10 minutes and keep an eye on the cooking time. If your air fryer runs hot, lowering the temperature slightly or shortening the cooking time by a few minutes helps prevent burning.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! This recipe is vegan as written if you use maple syrup instead of brown sugar (just check the sugar label if that's a concern). The olive oil and spices are plant-based, making it an easy vegan side dish.

What can I serve with air fryer butternut squash?

It pairs wonderfully with roasted meats like chicken or pork, grain bowls, and fresh salads. You can also toss it into warm pasta dishes or use it as a filling in tacos for a tasty twist.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe is one of those simple pleasures that always makes me smile—its warm, comforting flavors feel like a hug on a chilly day. I hope you find it as easy and rewarding to make as I do. Once you try it, I bet it’ll become a staple side dish you reach for again and again!