Air Fryer Butternut Squash Cubes

Name: Air Fryer Butternut Squash Cubes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 cups cubed butternut squash ((about 1 small squash or half a large)); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Made with simple ingredients, these air fryer butternut squash cubes are a lightly sweet weeknight or Thanksgiving side dish that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. Loaded with flavour and nutrients, they’re easy to make, kid-friendly, and perfect for pairing with all your favourite sides and mains! {Dairy-free, gluten-free, & vegan}

Roasted air fryer butternut squash cubes in a bowl with a spoon lifting some up.

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Air Fryer Butternut Squash – So Easy!

If you’re looking for the perfect side dish to serve this Thanksgiving or for an easy weeknight dinner, look no further! This air fryer butternut squash recipe is healthy, simple to make, and full of warm and sweet flavours that will have even the pickiest of eaters excited to eat their veggies.

As a bonus, it comes together in minutes with the help of the air fryer so you can be in and out of the kitchen in no time. Crisp on the outside yet soft and tender on the inside, this winter squash is mouthwateringly delicious and a great way to switch up your carb source throughout the week or during the holiday season.

Roasted in olive oil, cinnamon, and a touch of maple syrup, it’s lighter than your standard butter-filled mashed potatoes and sugar-loaded sweet potato casserole but still provides that warm and delicious flavour. If you’re stuck on what to serve, this recipe is guaranteed to save the day.

Pair this crispy roasted squash alongside all your traditional sides and mains for a festive meal perfect for the holidays!

For more healthy side dishes, be sure to check out my Apple Butternut Squash Casserole and Roasted Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts!

Overhead image of roasted butternut squash cubes in the air fryer.

Why We Love Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash

Healthy: Unlike other holiday sides that can be full of butter and added sugar, these air fryer butternut squash cubes are made with wholesome ingredients and are lower in sugar, yet higher in nutrients for a side dish you can feel good about!

Simple Ingredients: You only need 6 basic ingredients you probably already have on hand, making this recipe budget-friendly and quick to prepare. It’s a great side dish for squash season!

Easy: All you have to do is combine the ingredients, and the air fryer does the rest of the work so you can whip this squash recipe up in a snap!

Ingredient Notes

Bowls of butternut squash, olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and pepper to make air fryer butternut squash.

Butternut squash: Look for butternut squash that have a solid beige colour and are free from any bruises or cuts. or, save time and purchase pre-cut squash. You can typically find it in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores.

Oil: Helps the butternut squash cubes get nice and crisp. I typically like to use extra virgin olive oil, but you could use a lite option or swap it out for canola, avocado or coconut oil instead.

Maple syrup: Maple syrup naturally sweetens the dish and adds a delicious flavour that compliments the sweet squash and spices so well. Use 100% pure maple syrup if possible.

Seasonings: Ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper are used to infuse even more flavour into this dish!

Required Equipment

All you’ll need for these air fryer butternut squash cubes are a few basic pieces of equipment including:

A large knife
A cutting board
A vegetable peeler
A large spoon
A large bowl
A basting brush
An air fryer

How to Cut Butternut Squash

If you’ve never prepared butternut squash before, don’t worry! Just follow the steps below to make chopping it up a breeze.

Place the squash on its side on a cutting board, and use a sharp knife to remove roughly a 1/2 inch off the top and bottom.
Next, stand the squash upright, and use a sharp vegetable peeler to carefully remove the butternut squash skin.
Once peeled, place the squash on its side again, and slice horizontally it into two parts. Then, slice each section in half vertically until you have four separate components.
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp.
Finally, cube each section of the squash, and it is ready to use!

How to Cook Butternut Squash in Air Fryer

Seasoned butternut squash cubes in a glass bowl.

Seasoned butternut squash cubes in an air fryer ready to be cooked.

In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cubed butternut squash, olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until the squash is well coated.
Then, brush some oil on the bottom of your air fryer basket, and arrange the squash pieces in a single layer.
Cook at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Then, flip the cubes over, and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes or until the squash is fork tender and golden brown and crisp.

A bowl of sweet roasted air fryer butternut squash cubes.

Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!

Tips: Cooking Butternut Squash in Air Fryer

Make sure that you cut the butternut squash into uniform pieces so that it all cooks evenly. I cut mine into about 1-inch cubes. To make this process faster, you can also purchase pre-cut butternut squash cubes to roast in the air fryer.

Be sure to leave some space between the squash cubes when placing them in the basket of your air fryer rather than piling them up on top of each other. This allows the squash to get nicely brown and crispy on the outside. You may wish to cook the squash in batches if it doesn’t all fit in your air fryer at once.

You may wish to add some additional cinnamon throughout the cooking process. You can add some extra when you check on it after the 10 minute mark, if desired.

All air fryers cook slightly differently so you may need to adapt the cooking time depending on the type and size of your air fryer. I use the Ninja Foodie Air Fryer and found that 20-25 minutes allowed the squash to get soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Side shot of air-fried butternut squash in a serving dish.

Recipe FAQs

Can I cook frozen butternut squash in air fryer?

Yes! Cooking frozen squash cubes in the air fryer is super quick and easy and yields crisp and tender results with ease! It can be much faster than chopping fresh butternut squash.

How long does it take to roast squash in an air fryer?

The amount of time required will depend on how large you cut your squash and the air fryer used. However, in general, it cooks anywhere from 10-25 minutes. So, be sure to check on it frequently to prevent it from burning!

Do you leave the skin on when roasting butternut squash?

You can! The skin is completely safe to eat and provides tons of fibre. However, it can be difficult to chew through. I prefer to remove it, but it’s totally a personal preference.

Storage & Reheating Guidelines

To store: If you have leftover squash cubes, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat: To enjoy, warm your squash back up in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes or until it’s heated through. Alternatively, you can place it in an oven-safe dish covered with aluminum foil, and warm it in the oven at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until your desired temperature is reached.

What Goes Well With Butternut Squash

A super versatile side, this air fryer butternut squash pairs well with all your favourite weeknight meals and even tastes great with more elaborate holiday feasts.

Here are some combinations to try out!

Pair air-fried butternut squash with:

Or serve it tossed in a kale salad or quinoa bowls to switch it up!

Recipe Variations

Basic: For a super simple side dish, feel free to omit the cinnamon, and roast your squash with nothing more than oil, salt, and pepper!
Savoury: Swap out the honey with fresh garlic or garlic powder and herbs such as rosemary or thyme for a savoury option.
Spicy: Add a dash of chili powder for a bit of heat.

Overhead image of wooden spoon digging into air-fryer butternut squash cubes in a serving dish.

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