Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves – Air Fryer Recipes (2024)

Home

Uncategorized

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves – Air Fryer Recipes (1)

This air fryer butternut squash halves recipe is the easiest way to prepare delicious butternut squash and it makes a perfect side dish. The squash becomes soft, sweet, and caramelized.

Butternut squash is such a versatile vegetable. It’s similar in taste to sweet potato, with a slightly nutty flavor and a natural sweetness. Air fry butternut squash makes a delicious side dish. It’s got vitamin c which is great for the immune system in the winter months!

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves – Air Fryer Recipes (2)

It can also be used in butternut squash soup, salads, stews, and more. This easy air fryer recipe makes celebrates the butternut squash as the hero. It’s roasted to perfection, and the flavor is enhanced with a little honey and fresh thyme.

This recipe used small butternut squash halves. If your butternut is too long to fit in the air fryer it can be cut into quarters or smaller pieces instead. For this great side dish, there is no need to peel the squash.

How to prepare cook and prepare the butternut squash

Find the full recipe instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1 – Using a cutting board and sharp knife, slice off the top and bottom of the squash. Slice the butternut squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop the seeds and stringy parts out that are inside of the squash. For very large butternut squash, cut them further into quarters or smaller pieces. You can save the seeds if you want to, and roast
them in the air fryer.

2- Brush the cut side of the squash with olive oil and honey, season, and sprinkle with fresh thyme.

3 – Place the squash pieces in the air fryer basket, in a single layer with the cut sides facing up.

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves – Air Fryer Recipes (3) Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves – Air Fryer Recipes (4)

4 – Air fry the squash halves at 350°F/180°C for approximately 30-35 minutes until the squash is very fork tender and the cut side is a caramelized golden brown. The cooking time will depend on both the type of air fryer as well as the size of the squash. Remove the basket of your air fryer and check the squash after 15 minutes.

To serve you can simply scoop the soft centers away from the butternut squash skin. Sprinkle with a little extra fresh thyme.

Other flavor combinations

Instead of honey and thyme, you could coat the squash with other simple ingredients to make it shine:

  • Brown sugar or maple syrup and a dash of ground cinnamon. You can omit the sugar too, and just let the naturally sweet taste of the squash come through.
  • Along with cinnamon, you could add in pumpkin spice to bring all the fall flavors
  • A little smoked paprika and ground cumin
  • Simply use sea salt and black pepper
  • Feel free to swap the butternut squash for another variety. You could make an air fryer acorn squash which is also a sweeter squash, or other similar winter squashes.

Full recipe

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves

Soft and caramelized butternut squash with honey and fresh thyme.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 small butternut squash
  • ½ Tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ Tablespoon honey, warmed to liquid
  • 1-2 Tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Slice off the top and bottom of the squash. Slice the butternut squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop the seeds and stringy parts out that are inside of the squash. For very large butternut squash, cut them further into quarters or smaller pieces.
  2. Mix together the olive oil and honey, then use a pastry brush to brush the cut sides of the squash. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.
  3. Place the squash pieces in the air fryer basket, in a single layer with the cut sides facing up.
  4. Air fry the squash halves at 350°F/180°C for approximately 25-35 minutes until the squash is very fork tender and the cut side is deep golden brown. The cooking time will depend on both the type of air fryer as well as the size of the squash.
  5. Sprinkle the squash with more fresh thyme to serve.

Related Articles

Sure! Here’s a recipe for Keto Air Fryer Green Beans:…

Keto Air Fryer Green Beans

Certainly, here’s a simple recipe for making frozen biscuits in…

Air Fryer Biscuits (from Frozen) – Food Lovin Family

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves – Air Fryer Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is squash good in the air fryer? ›

We love the sweet, buttery flavors of squash crisped up and caramelized in the air fryer! Whether it's butternut, delicata, or acorn... this is one of our favorite easy and healthy side dishes. Bonus points for not requiring any stove or oven space.

Do you half the cooking time in an air fryer? ›

To convert an oven-cooked recipe to an air-fryer one, Mason's general rule of thumb is to reduce the suggested temperature by 25°F and then cut the cook time by about 20%.

What season is best for butternut squash? ›

When is butternut squash in season? Butternut squash are harvested in late summer and autumn, but because they keep so well, they can be found all year round.

How much does 1 butternut squash yield? ›

One 1 1/2 pound butternut squash will yield approximately 4 cups of 1/2-inch cubed squash.

What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer? ›

Take a gander of this list of top foods that should never make their way into your air fryer.
  • Wet Batters. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

Why are my vegetables not crispy from the air fryer? ›

Air Fryer Vegetables Tips

If these pieces are too large, they won't cook through by the time the zucchini and peppers are tender. Don't crowd the air fryer basket. The #1 rule of air frying! In order for the vegetables to become caramelized and crisp, the hot air must be able to contact them on all sides.

Can I put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

What is the general rule for cooking in the air fryer? ›

When taking a recipe from oven to air fryer, the general rule is to reduce the temperature by 20ºC – 30ºC, and cook for 20% less time.

Can you use tin foil in an air fryer? ›

The great news about air fryers is that you can use foil along with parchment paper to cook your food in an air fryer. Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer.

What flavors pair well with butternut squash? ›

This roasted butternut squash recipe starts like any other roasted vegetable recipe—olive oil, salt, and pepper—but the simple additions of cinnamon, maple syrup, and fresh rosemary elevate it and give it a festive flair that you'll be proud to share at the table.

What do British people call butternut squash? ›

The vegetable squash that Americans are used to is a relative newcomer to Britain. It's usually called by its varietal name - butternut squash, acorn squash - and sometimes orange fleshed vegetables that would be called squash in the USA are lumped together as pumpkin.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking? ›

It's important to note that while many people choose to remove butternut squash skin (and this is best practice for soup making, where you want smooth results), you can 100% eat roasted butternut squash skin. Slice butternut squash into crescents and roast it with the skin on.

Can you eat butternut squash raw? ›

Skip eating most hard-skinned squash raw. "Hard skinned squash is difficult to eat raw," Marz says. "They are usually much larger in size, have a harder flesh, and are much more fibrous." Examples of hard-skinned squash that should not be eaten raw include: pumpkins, delicate, butternut, Hubbard, and acorn.

How many butternut squash per person? ›

Assuming that each portion is about 4 ounces (4 oz of squash per person), you will need about 5 lbs of squash. If you want there to be leftovers or you think folks will eat more than 4 ounces each (maybe some of your guests have bigger appetites), you will want to cook more than just 5 lbs.

What foods turn out best in an air fryer? ›

Veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms & onions, and cauliflower all turn out incredible in the air fryer. You can also make your main dish IN the air fryer. It works magic with proteins like tofu, chicken drumsticks, meatballs, pork chops, fried chicken… even steak.

Are air fried vegetables still healthy? ›

Air-fried vegetables are also just as healthy as cooking them on the stovetop, oven, or microwave. With only a tiny amount of oil needed to provide an outer crisp, there is nothing unhealthy about it! This low-calorie food will fit perfectly into any paleo, keto, or low-carb eating plan.

Is it better to roast or air fry vegetables? ›

Almost every vegetable I've cooked in the air fryer does well at 375°F and can be cooked as you would oven-roast it — cutting the cooking time and oil called for in half.

What are the best foods to try in an air fryer? ›

Some of the popular things to make in the air fryer are potatoes (chips, roasted, baked), muffins, scones, and cakes. It's also great for getting dinner on the table fast – we love to use our air fryer to make fritters, rissoles, nuggets, and pork belly (yes, you can cook raw meat in an air fryer).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rubie Ullrich

Last Updated:

Views: 6151

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rubie Ullrich

Birthday: 1998-02-02

Address: 743 Stoltenberg Center, Genovevaville, NJ 59925-3119

Phone: +2202978377583

Job: Administration Engineer

Hobby: Surfing, Sailing, Listening to music, Web surfing, Kitesurfing, Geocaching, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Rubie Ullrich, I am a enthusiastic, perfect, tender, vivacious, talented, famous, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.