Description
This Air Fryer Butternut Squash recipe features tender, golden cubes of butternut squash seasoned with warm spices and a touch of sweetness. Ready in just 45 minutes, it's a perfect side dish for fall and holiday meals, delivering cozy flavors with minimal effort using the air fryer.
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 and place them in a large bowl. Add olive oil, brown sugar or maple syrup, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg, then toss well to coat all cubes evenly in the oil and seasonings.
- Arrange in air fryer: Transfer the seasoned squash cubes to your air fryer basket. If the basket is small, cook in batches. It’s fine if the cubes aren’t in a single layer, but avoid overcrowding to allow even cooking.
- Air fry the squash: Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 30 minutes. Shake the basket every 10 minutes to ensure even browning. Cook until the squash is fork-tender, golden, and not burnt.
- Serve and store: Serve the squash immediately as a warm side dish. Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat leftover squash in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain crispness and warmth.
Notes
- Use pure maple syrup as a natural sweetener alternative to brown sugar for a different flavor profile.
- Adjust spices to your preference, increasing cinnamon or nutmeg for stronger warm spice notes.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the air fryer model; check for tenderness at the 25-minute mark if unsure.
- You can add a pinch of chili powder or smoked paprika for a subtle spicy twist.
- This recipe is perfect for holiday side dishes or adding to fall-inspired salads.
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
