Air Fryer Butternut Squash is a delicious healthy meal or side dish! Taking just fraction of the time in the air fryer, this will become a family favorite!
This Air Fryer Butternut Squash is delicious, hearty, and majorly healthy! It takes half the time to make in the air fryer compared to baking, but I will share directions for both as well. This butternut squash can be served as a main dish or a side dish.
The Air Fryer is an appliance that is amazing! If you haven't purchased one yet, you have to! I'll share my favorites a little further down! Using the air fryer to make healthy recipes is so easy! I've shared so many with you, including Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, Air Fryer Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts, and Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus among many more!
It's easy to make this Air Fryer Butternut Squash, here's how:
How to Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash:
*Scroll down for full printable ingredient list and directions and step by step video**
- Prep the butternut squash by washing the outside and scrubbing any dirt of the shell. Then using a heavy chefs knife, Cut the butternut squash in half, lengthwise.
- Using a spoon, scoop the seeds and stringy flesh out of the circular half.
- Score the squash length wise, then width-wise, about 3 times each (see photo below).
- Rub extra virgin olive oil all over the inside of the squash. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper, salt, and brown sugar (if desired).
- Place the halves into the air fryer.
- Set the air fryer to 375 degrees and 27 minutes.
- Once the time is up, remove the butternut squash and dig in! You can scrape the flesh out and plate it, or serve the butternut squash in the shell (my favorite way) and eat it out of the shell.
As I mentioned, butternut squash is SUPER HEALTHY for you! Here's why.....
Is Butternut Squash Healthy?
YES! Butternut Squash is one of the oldest known crops (dating back 10,000 years) and it is nutritious and tasty!
- A 1 cup serving of butternut squash with nothing added has 63 calories, 0g fat, 16g carbohydrates, 2.8g fiber, 3g sugar, 1.4g protein.
- A servings contains 100% the daily recommendation for Vitamin A, 40% vitamin C, 15% magnesium, 18% potassium.
- It’s a great hydrator. One serving of butternut squash is roughly 87% water, which can help keep you hydrated. (cited from WebMD)
- It’s good for your immunity . Like other orange-colored fruits and vegetables, butternut squash is full of beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. Your body converts them to vitamin A, which is important for your immune system. (cited from WebMD)
- It’s excellent for your eyes. Butternut squash has lutein and zeaxanthin, often found in yellow fruits and vegetables as well as eggs. Along with beta-carotene and vitamin A, these protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays. (cited from WebMD)
If you don't have an Air Fryer, I suggest you buy one, however, here's how to bake the butternut squash.
How to Bake Butternut Squash:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Follow the directions on how to prep, cut, and coat the butternut squash in oil/spices.
- Add the butternut squash to a baking dish, then place into the oven.
- Set the timer to 50 minutes. Depending on the size of the squash you may have to add 5-10 more minutes. When the squash is fork tender and you can remove the flesh with no resistance, it's done.
What type of Air Fryer should I use for this recipe?
There are many Air Fryers to choose from, but I love my PowerXL Vortex Air fryer! Here are some other great options:
- Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven, 6 Quart: 6-in-1, Broil, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, Non-stick and Dishwasher-Safe Basket, Stainless Steel
- COSORI Air Fryer 5.8QT - Large Hot Electric Oven Oilless Cooker with 8 Quick Setting Recommendation
- GoWISE USA 7 QT Air Fryer -with Dehydrator & 3 Stackable Racks, Led Digital Touchscreen
What are good Main Dishes to serve alongside Butternut Squash??
Air Fryer Butternut Squash is a delicious healthy meal or side dish! Taking just fraction of the time in the air fryer, this will become a family favorite!
- 1 medium butternut squash
- 1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
- ½ TBS brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
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Prep the butternut squash by washing the outside and scrubbing any dirt of the shell. Cut the butternut squash in half, lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop the seeds and stringy flesh out of the circular half. Score the squash length wise, then width-wise, about 3 times each.
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On each half, rub ½ TBS of extra virgin olive oil all over the inside of the squash. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper, salt, and brown sugar (if desired) on each half.
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Place the squash halves into the air fryer flesh side up. Set the air fryer to 375 degrees and 27 minutes.
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Once the time is up, remove the butternut squash and dig in! You can scrape the flesh out and plate it, or serve the butternut squash in the shell (my favorite way) and eat it out of the shell.
Recipe Video
Nutritional info (including brown sugar) per HALF squash serving: 151 calories, 7g fat, 19g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 7g sugar, 1g protein
Eden
Wow! Didn't even know you could cook this Air Fryer! Worked so well, genius!
Amanda
Came out of the air fryer perfect, thank you so much!
wilhelmina
This is by far my favorite way to make butternut squash! It is so easy and crazy delicious!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This Air Fryer Butternut Squash is looks incredibly delicious!
Lily
I love how easy this was, I think I enjoyed the squash more in the air fryer then in the oven which is what we usually do. This is such great way to enjoy a simple vegetable.
Catalina
Oh my goodness! This is such a brilliant idea to make butternut squash in the Air Fryer!
Beth
I love this recipe! It's easy and so delicious! My hubby's favorite!
katerina @ diethood.com
Oh my, this is such a fantastic idea! I am excited to try it!
Toni Dash
I will definitely give this a try! I am sure this will be a sure hit.
Sara Welch
Another great recipe for my Air Fryer; this looks delicious and perfect for fall! Looking forward to enjoying this all season long!
Lisa
Have made this twice and it’s delicious! Do most of you use the “bake” or “air fry” function? I can’t remember which I used 🤔 .
Allyson
I always air fry everything, on mine it is just the normal setting!