Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Try your hand at this simple yet delicious air fryer butternut squash recipe. The result? Butternut squash that's not only extra tasty but also incredibly tender, all thanks to a seasoning with aromatic cinnamon and a sweet touch of honey. These air-fried butternut squash pieces can either stand out as a craved side-dish or as the star ingredient in your refreshing salad.

I'm here to walk you through the entire process of air frying butternut squash cubes. It's an effortless method that lets you achieve a mouth-watering caramelized finish in no time, all thanks to the magic of your trusty air fryer.

These butternut squash cubes pair nicely with smoked paprika chicken thighs or air fryer chicken drumsticks.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How to Air Fry Butternut Squash Cubes
• Tips to Cook Butternut Squash in an Air Fryer
• Storage
• Reheating
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

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Ingredients

To make this air fryer butternut squash, you'll need these ingredients, and here's what they do:

1.     Fresh butternut squash: This is the main ingredient that becomes tender and tasty when cooked in the air fryer.

2.     Pure honey: Adding honey gives a sweetness and makes the butternut squash deliciously sticky.

3.     Cinnamon: Cinnamon gives the squash a warm and cozy flavor.

4.     Sea Salt: Salt enhances the squash's natural sweet taste and keeps it balanced.

5.     Olive oil: Olive oil helps the squash turn crispy and brown, and it stops it from sticking to the air fryer.

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How to Air Fry Butternut Squash Cubes

Here's how to air fry butternut squash cubes with easy-to-follow steps:

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Butternut Squash

• Begin by peeling and seeding the butternut squash and cutting it into one-inch cubes. Place the cubes in a large bowl or a zip-lock bag.
• In a separate mixing bowl, combine the oil, honey, cinnamon, and salt.
• Pour the seasoning mixture over the butternut squash cubes and gently massage it to ensure even coating.

Step 2: Air Fry the Butternut Squash

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Once the air fryer is hot, arrange the seasoned butternut squash in a single layer in the air fryer crisper basket.
• Cook for approximately 16 minutes or longer, depending on your preference, until the squash becomes tender and achieves your desired level of caramelization.
• Enjoy your delicious air-fried butternut squash!

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Tips to Cook Butternut Squash in an Air Fryer

These tips should help you achieve delicious and tender air-fried butternut squash.

1.     Pick the Right Squash: Choose a fresh butternut squash that's heavy for its size and has firm skin. This helps it taste and feel its best.

2.     Cut Evenly: When you chop the squash into pieces, try to make them all the same size. This way, they'll cook evenly. It's best to make them one-inch cubes. If they're smaller, they might burn quickly.

3.     Peel and Remove Seeds: Before cutting the squash into cubes, be sure to take off the skin and get rid of the seeds. The skin and seeds aren't usually used in air frying.

4.     Season Well: Mix the seasoning ingredients (oil, honey, cinnamon, and salt) thoroughly. This way, you can make sure all the squash pieces taste the same.

5.     Heat Up the Air Fryer: Before you start cooking, let your air fryer get hot. This is important for even and efficient cooking and that tasty caramelized finish.

6.     One Layer Only: Put the seasoned butternut squash pieces in one layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Don't let them overlap or pile on top of each other.

7.     Check If It's Done: Keep an eye on the squash as it cooks. You can check if it's ready by poking it with a fork or knife. It should be soft when it's done.

8.     Adjust the Time: The cooking time can be different depending on the size and amount of squash pieces and the air fryer model. If needed, change the cooking time to make it just right.

9.     Shake or Flip: Shake the basket or turn the squash pieces over every 3-4 minutes. This helps them cook evenly on all sides and to prevent burning.

10.   Serve Right Away: Air-fried butternut squash tastes best when it's still warm and crispy. You can use it as a yummy side dish or add it to salads.

11.   Adjust the Seasoning: To make the butternut squash sweeter, you can drizzle more honey over the cubes or toss them in a little extra honey before serving. If you prefer a more aromatic flavor, you can increase the amount of cinnamon.

12.  Try Different Flavors: Don't be afraid to experiment with various seasonings and spices to make it taste the way you like. Butternut squash goes well with many flavors, so be creative!

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Storage

Discard any air-fried butternut squash that has been left out for an extended period. If it has been exposed to room temperature for over 2 hours in moderate weather, or just 1 hour in hot conditions exceeding 90°F, it is no longer suitable for consumption. For more food safety tips, check the provided resource.

Here's a brief set of instructions on how to store air-fried butternut squash:

1. Allow to Cool: Let the air-fried butternut squash cool to room temperature before storing.
2. Transfer to an Airtight Container: Place the cooled butternut squash in an airtight container, ensuring it's in a single layer if possible.
3. Refrigerate: Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or up to 3 months in the freezer.

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Reheating

When ready to eat, you can reheat the butternut squash in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes or in an oven until warmed through. Serve the reheated squash as a side dish, in salads, or as a snack.

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I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don't mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.

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