Description
This Air Fryer Butternut Squash recipe is a simple and delicious way to prepare tender, spiced squash cubes with a touch of sweetness and warming spices. Perfect as a side dish for fall meals or Thanksgiving dinner, this recipe uses an air fryer to achieve golden, caramelized edges with minimal oil and effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
Instructions
- Prepare the squash: Peel and dice the butternut squash into 1-inch chunks. Place the cubes into a large bowl.
- Season the squash: Add olive oil, brown sugar (or pure maple syrup), salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to the bowl. Toss well to coat all the squash pieces evenly with the oil and spices.
- Arrange in air fryer: Transfer the seasoned squash to your air fryer basket. It's okay if they are not in a single layer, but avoid overcrowding. Cook in batches if needed based on your air fryer's size.
- Air fry the squash: Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Shake the basket every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Check doneness: Continue cooking until the butternut squash cubes are fork-tender and golden brown but not burnt.
- Serve and store: Serve immediately as a side dish. Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispness before serving again.
Notes
- The recipe is quick and easy, ready in about 45 minutes including prep and cooking time.
- Use brown sugar for sweetness or substitute with pure maple syrup for a natural alternative.
- Shaking the basket every 10 minutes helps achieve even cooking and caramelization.
- If your air fryer basket is small, cook the squash in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure proper crispiness.
- This dish pairs well with Thanksgiving dinners or can be added to fall salads for extra flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 114 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 297 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
