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

3 ways to air fry smoked sausage that will give…

Air Fryer Smoked Sausage (3 Ways)

Air fryer eggs, your new favorite way to “boil” eggs!…

AIR FRYER SOFT BOILED EGGS

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

FAQs

Is squash good in the air fryer? ›

Air fryer squash is one of the simplest and most irresistible ways to transform basic winter squash into a sweet, roasty, caramelized veggie side dish for any meal! We even use it as the base for bowl recipes packed with other veggies, protein, and whatever delicious sauce we can whip up.

Does an air fryer halve cooking time? ›

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%. Just use the pause button on your machine to occasionally check the doneness and flip for balanced crispness on all sides.

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.

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? ›

Overcrowding the basket will cause the vegetables to steam, not brown. Only add as many as will fit in a single layer. Then, air fry the vegetables at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender and browned. Toss halfway through the cooking time so that they brown evenly.

Can you 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 cheat for the air fryer? ›

Due to its smaller size, an air fryer generally cooks food faster than a conventional oven. So you'll need to convert the oven recipe to suit air fryer temperatures. The general rule of thumb is to lower the cooking temperature by 25°F and shorten the time by roughly 20-25%.

What is the rule of thumb for 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. For example, if you were making these delicious Chilli Cheesy Nachos, you'd need to bake the potato wedges in the oven at 200ºC for 25 minutes.

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking? ›

Can You Eat Butternut Squash Skin? 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.

What are three ways you can eat butternut squash? ›

7 ways to cook with butternut squash
  • Butternut squash soup. ...
  • Spicy squash and spinach soup. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash. ...
  • Butternut squash laksa. ...
  • Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with roast vegetables and chickpeas. ...
  • Beef and butternut squash moussaka. ...
  • Chilled toffee apple creams.

Is butternut squash anti-inflammatory? ›

Butternut Squash: Butternut squash is a superb source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber, all of which can contribute to lower inflammation levels. Blend butternut squash into soups or roast it with a touch of cinnamon for a sweet and savory side dish.

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.

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.

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.

What tastes best cooked 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).

Are vegetables good in an air fryer? ›

While firm vegetables take a bit longer to cook, they are equally as delicious! Firm vegetables like carrots, beets, potatoes, and pumpkin can all be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes—significantly reducing your time spent in the kitchen.

Why are my air fryer veggies soggy? ›

Not patting food dry

Moisture is an air fryer's biggest enemy as it will cause steam and reduce the crispiness of the food. To encourage browning and crispiness, pat dry anything that is unbreaded before cooking, such as meat, fish or vegetables.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Last Updated:

Views: 6639

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Birthday: 1993-03-26

Address: 917 Hyun Views, Rogahnmouth, KY 91013-8827

Phone: +5938540192553

Job: Administration Developer

Hobby: Embroidery, Horseback riding, Juggling, Urban exploration, Skiing, Cycling, Handball

Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.