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 irresistibly cozy about sweet, tender butternut squash with a hint of warm spice. This fluffy, caramelized Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe makes that happen fast and easily — you’ll love how simple it is to get those perfectly crisp edges and soft centers every time.

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 have to say, this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe quickly became a go-to for me during fall. It’s one of those side dishes that feel special but doesn’t steal hours from your day. The balance of sweetness, spice, and crispiness is just perfect and so comforting.

Speedy Cooking: Air frying cuts the cook time dramatically compared to roasting in the oven.
Flavorful Comfort: The cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar combo adds a warm, cozy touch.
Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry items to elevate this humble squash.
Versatility: Works beautifully as a holiday side, salad topper, or a snack straight from the air fryer.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe plays a specific role to bring out that perfect sweet-spiced flavor, crisp exterior, and tender inside. When shopping, a firm, medium-large butternut squash with smooth skin will make prep easier.

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 one that’s firm and heavy for its size—this ensures dense, sweet flesh.
Olive Oil: Helps the spices stick and promotes that lovely crispness during air frying.
Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup: Adds a natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully without overpowering.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the earthy flavor of the squash.
Ground Cinnamon: Gives a warm, comforting spice that pairs perfectly with autumn dishes.
Ground Nutmeg: A pinch adds depth and a subtle nuttiness that makes the flavor more complex.

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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

One of my favorite things about this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe is how easy it is to tweak depending on what you’re craving or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Spice It Up: I once added a pinch of cayenne for a subtle kick — it was surprisingly delicious with the sweetness.
Savory Twist: Swap brown sugar for garlic powder and fresh herbs like rosemary to create a savory version perfect for dinner sides.
Sweet Swap: Maple syrup works beautifully instead of brown sugar if you prefer a natural sweetener with extra depth.
Roasted Nuts: Toss in some chopped pecans or walnuts after cooking for crunch and extra flavor.

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: Prep Your Butternut Squash With a Smile

First things first, grab a large butternut squash and peel it — I find a sharp vegetable peeler works best to get through that tough skin without wasting the sweet flesh. Then dice it into roughly 1-inch cubes. This size ensures they cook evenly and get a nice golden finish without drying out.

Step 2: Toss In Your Seasonings

Throw the squash cubes into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add the brown sugar (or maple syrup if you prefer), salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir everything up well — get your hands involved if you like — so each cube is thoroughly coated. This step is where the magic starts!

Step 3: Air Fry Magic

Transfer the seasoned cubes to your air fryer basket. Don’t worry about a perfect single layer, but avoid overpacking the basket — you want enough airflow for that crispy edge. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to do batches. Set the temperature at 400°F and let it air fry for 20-30 minutes, giving the basket a shake every 10 minutes so everything cooks evenly. You’re looking for squash that’s tender when poked with a fork and beautifully caramelized.

Step 4: Enjoy Immediately & Store Wisely

Serve hot for best taste and texture — straight from the air fryer to your plate is when these cubes shine brightest. If you have leftovers, store them covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. When reheating, popping them back in the air fryer for a few minutes crisps them up again like fresh!

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few tricks along the way that really help nail this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe every time. Whether you’re new to air frying or a seasoned pro, these tips will save you a headache and deliver consistent results.

Even Cubes Equal Even Cooking: Taking a little extra time chopping your squash into uniform 1-inch pieces ensures they cook through evenly without some chunks burning while others stay hard.
Don’t Overcrowd: It’s tempting to fill the air fryer basket to the brim but leaving space helps the hot air circulate, giving you that perfect roast rather than steaming your squash.
Shake, Shake, Shake: Shaking the basket every 10 minutes is essential — it helps on all sides getting that golden, crispy exterior, so don’t skip this little step.
Watch Closely at the End: The last 5 minutes are where things can go from golden to burnt fast, so keep an eye and adjust time as needed based on your specific air fryer model.

How to Serve Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my butternut squash with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves or a few toasted pumpkin seeds for texture. A drizzle of maple syrup or a dab of Greek yogurt also makes a lovely finishing touch to complement the sweet and spice flavors.

Side Dishes

It pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or alongside a leafy green salad. During holidays, I like serving it right next to mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce to add color and flavor contrast to the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, serve the cubes in a hollowed-out mini pumpkin or squash bowl — it looks stunning on a party buffet or Thanksgiving table and keeps the warmth beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Air Fryer Butternut Squash in an airtight container in the fridge, where it lasts fresh for about 3-4 days. Sometimes I toss in a paper towel inside the container to absorb moisture, which helps keep the cubes from getting soggy.

Freezing

Freezing works, but I recommend flash freezing cubes on a baking sheet first, then transferring them to freezer bags. This way, they don’t clump together and you can crisp them up fresh in the air fryer after thawing.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, just pop them in the air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes. This revives that crispy exterior and melts the spices all over again, making it taste as good as fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen butternut squash for this recipe?

While fresh butternut squash yields the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen cubes if needed. Just thaw and pat them dry well before air frying to avoid sogginess. Cook times may be slightly shorter since the squash will be softer.

How do I know when the butternut squash is done cooking?

You want the squash to be fork-tender but not falling apart. When pierced with a fork, it should slide in easily and the edges should be golden brown but not burnt. If you prefer softer squash, cook a few minutes longer, shaking the basket occasionally.

Can I make this recipe vegan or keto-friendly?

Absolutely! Use maple syrup or another plant-based sweetener instead of honey for vegan versions. For keto, swap the brown sugar for a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol. The olive oil, spices, and squash all fit perfectly into keto diets.

What size air fryer basket do I need?

A basket that holds at least 4 quarts (about 4 liters) works well for this recipe. If yours is smaller, you can cook the squash in batches. Overloading the basket can cause uneven cooking, so don’t hesitate to do multiple batches for best results.

Final Thoughts

I really hope you’ll give this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe a try soon — it’s one of those simple dishes that feels like a little hug in each bite. Whether it’s a side dish for a cozy family dinner or a year-round fall favorite, I’m confident you’ll come back to it again and again, just like I do.