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 about the sweet, warm aroma of roasted squash that just feels like a cozy hug on a cool evening. This Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe transforms simple ingredients into tender, caramelized cubes that are effortless to make and taste incredible every time.

A white bowl filled with small, golden-brown cubes of cooked sweet potatoes that have a soft texture and a slightly shiny surface, showing a light coating of spices. The sweet potatoes appear tender and caramelized, with some darker edges. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with two cinnamon sticks placed next to it, and a small white dish holding a mound of cinnamon powder nearby. A black spoon with a gold handle is partially inside the bowl. The scene includes a beige cloth napkin that is softly folded on the left side of the bowl. 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’m all about recipes that bring out big flavors without a fuss. This air fryer method for butternut squash caramelizes the edges beautifully while keeping the inside perfectly soft—trust me, it’s a game changer for your fall and winter menu rotations.

Speedy & Simple: The air fryer does the hard work for you, cutting roasting time without sacrificing flavor.
Perfectly Tender: The squash comes out soft yet holds its shape, with a deliciously golden crust.
Customizable Flavors: You can tweak the spices or sweeteners to match your mood or meal.
Healthy & Versatile: It’s a nourishing side dish that pairs beautifully with almost any main.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses a handful of pantry staples that combine to create that unforgettable taste: sweet, slightly spicy, and savory-balanced. The olive oil helps everything crisp up, while brown sugar adds caramel notes that make the squash sing.

Flat lay of a large butternut squash whole with smooth tan skin, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl filled with light brown granulated brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white salt, a small white ceramic bowl of warm brown ground cinnamon, and a small white ceramic bowl of pale beige ground nutmeg, all ingredients arranged symmetrically in perfect balance, 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: The star of the show—choose a firm, medium-large squash for sweet, creamy cubes.
Olive Oil: It helps the spices stick and ensures crispy edges, plus adds healthy fats.
Brown Sugar (or Maple Syrup): This lightly sweetens and helps caramelization; maple syrup is a great swap for a deeper flavor.
Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and enhancing flavor.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth, making the squash feel cozy and comforting.
Ground Nutmeg: A little goes a long way to add complexity and a subtle nutty note.

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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 the best things about this Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe is how easy it is to play with. I often swap the brown sugar for pure maple syrup, especially in colder months when I want a touch more depth. Or I’ll sprinkle in some smoked paprika for a subtle smoky kick.

Variation: I’ve added a pinch of cayenne on occasion for a spicy-sweet combo that surprises and delights.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe

Cubed pieces of roasted orange sweet potato are spread out on a silver wire rack, each piece showing a golden-brown crispy texture with some darker caramelized spots. The cubes vary slightly in size and shape, with smooth sides and rough, roasted edges. The wire rack underneath has a grid pattern, and everything is set on a clean white marbled surface, giving a fresh and simple look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Peel, Dice, and Season

Start by peeling your butternut squash carefully with a vegetable peeler—this is the trickiest part but totally worth it. Then chop it into 1-inch cubes, which cook evenly in the air fryer. Toss the squash cubes in a large bowl with olive oil, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until everything’s well-coated. This seasoning mix adds that cozy, inviting warmth we’re after.

Step 2: Air Fry in Batches if Needed

Transfer the seasoned cubes to your air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer size, you might need to do two batches. Don't worry if the cubes aren’t in a single layer; just avoid overcrowding so they roast instead of steam. Cooking at 400°F for about 20-30 minutes usually does the trick.

Step 3: Shake and Check for Doneness

Every 10 minutes, give the basket a good shake to help the cubes cook evenly and get those lovely caramel edges. You’re looking for fork-tender squash—that golden color and slight crispness on the outside is a sign it’s done.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Serve these cubes warm right out of the fryer. They’re incredible on their own or tossed atop salads, grains, or even as a side next to roasted meats. If you have leftovers, don’t toss them! They reheat beautifully back in the air fryer for a few minutes.

Top Tip

From my experience, the biggest difference-maker in this recipe is prepping your squash just right and managing space in the air fryer. Here are a few things that helped me every time I make it.

Uniform Cubes: Cut your squash into evenly sized chunks so they cook evenly without some pieces burning or underdone.
Don’t Overcrowd: I learned the hard way—too many cubes in the basket means steaming, not roasting. Spread them out in batches if you need to.
Shake It Up: Shaking the basket every 10 minutes helps those edges caramelize and keeps the cooking consistent.
Watch the Time: Check around the 20-minute mark so you don’t miss the perfect golden moment—they can go from delicious to overdone quickly.

How to Serve Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my air-fried squash with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme—they add a fresh brightness right before serving. Toasted pepitas or a crumble of feta also add nice texture and flavor contrast.

Side Dishes

This butternut squash pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or a simple grain bowl with quinoa and kale. It’s also a wonderful addition to fall-themed meals or holiday spreads.

Creative Ways to Present

For special gatherings, I’ve layered roasted butternut squash over creamy polenta or tucked it into warm flatbreads with goat cheese and arugula. It adds such a cozy, colorful pop on any festive plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I find the squash holds its texture well and still tastes great when reheated.

Freezing

Freezing works, but the texture can soften a bit after thawing. If you do freeze, flash-freeze the cubes on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer bag to avoid clumps.

Reheating

To bring back that crispy edge, pop the leftovers back in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F. Microwave works too but the texture won’t be quite as satisfying.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen butternut squash in this air fryer recipe?

Frozen butternut squash tends to release more water, which can make the cubes soggier and less crispy when air fried. If you’re using frozen, be sure to pat it dry and reduce the cooking time slightly, checking frequently.

How long should I peel butternut squash for air frying?

Peeling butternut squash can be tricky if you’re new to it. I recommend using a sturdy vegetable peeler, peeling off all the skin until you reach the tender orange flesh. It usually takes just a few minutes with some practice.

Can I make this recipe vegan-friendly?

Absolutely! The recipe is already plant-based as long as you use maple syrup instead of brown sugar if you want to keep it natural. Air frying the squash with olive oil and spices is inherently vegan.

What temperature is best for air frying butternut squash?

Cooking at 400 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal because it’s hot enough to caramelize the natural sugars while cooking the cubes through evenly without drying them out or burning quickly.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe is one of those simple staples I keep coming back to because it’s just so reliably delicious and easy to make. Whether it’s a side for a busy weeknight or a special holiday meal, these caramelized cubes bring warmth and comfort in every bite. Give it a try and let this little kitchen trick become your new favorite go-to!