Air fryer butternut squash halves are quick and easy to make. The butternut squash gets creamy and tender when cooked in the air fryer and the squash gets perfectly roasted.
Well, I guess it’s not technically a whole butternut squash. It’s squash halves. But air frying butternut squash halves are so much easier than having to cut out all the cubes.
And no peeling required! This butternut squash roasts up perfectly in its peel.
And it’s beautiful and creamy and delicious. My new favorite way to cook butternut squash in my air fryer.
Why air fry a whole butternut squash?
Quick – The butternut squash actually cooks up pretty quickly in the air fryer! And it’s pretty hands-off except for flipping once while cooking.
No need to cut into cubes (or peel) – Peeling and slicing up a whole butternut squash into cubes can be so time-consuming. Depending on how you’re planning to use the butternut squash, air frying a whole butternut squash may be the perfect alternative.
Delicious – The butternut squash gets perfectly roasted and creamy. And while I kept mine simple with just olive oil, salt, and pepper, you can season however you like!
Ingredients
- Butternut squash
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
What if my butternut squash won’t fit in my air fryer?
I purposely like to choose a small butternut squash that I know will fit in my air fryer when I’m planning to roast a whole butternut squash.
However, if your butternut squash is too big, you can cut into pieces that will fit in your air fryer. You can slightly overlap them if needed, but try not to crowd the basket or put in multiple layers.
Note, that this may affect cooking time and you may actually need a slightly shorter cooking time depending on the size of your squash.
How to customize
Butternut squash is so easy to customize with the flavors you love! Here’s a few ideas:
- Season with some dried oregano, rosemary, sage, or thyme.
- Drizzle with maple syrup or brown sugar and serve with chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Drizzle with a hot honey sauce after roasting or serve with a sage brown butter sauce.
How to use the roasted butternut squash
Whole – The air fryer butternut squash halves can be simply served as is. You can add a pat of butter or even a flavored butter like harissa butter.
Soup – After air frying, you can scoop out the insides of the butternut squash and cook together with some vegetable stock and then blend together to make a delicious butternut squash soup. Add cream if desired!
Cut up – The butternut squash can simply be sliced up after roasting and served that way!
Mash it – Scoop out the insides and mash them all up to make a lovely mashed butternut squash.
Lasagna or pasta – The butternut squash can be used to make a lasagna filling or pasta sauce.
Recipe tips
- You may need to adjust the cook time of your butternut squash depending on how large your butternut squash is.
- All air fryers cook differently. Adjust times as needed.
- To store leftovers, simply place cool, then place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. You can scoop out the squash before refrigerating or refrigerate the whole halves.
Instructions
Take the butternut squash and slice in half through the stem. Note — I find it’s easiest to start on the sides and then work my way to the top stem when slicing a butternut squash.
Scoop out the seeds of the butternut squash.
Brush the butternut squash insides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. (I like using a silicone brush for this!)
Place the butternut squash in the air fryer basket, face down, as shown below.
Air fry at 380 degrees F for 20 minutes, then flip and air fry for another 10-15 minutes.
Squash should be done when a fork easily slides into the thickest part of the squash.
Season as desired and enjoy!
Yum. Air fryer butternut squash halves. Roasted to perfection and so easy to make.
PrintAir Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 small butternut squash
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
-
Slice the butternut squash in half lengthwise through the stem. Scoop out the seeds.
-
Drizzle the squash faces with olive oil then brush into the face of the squash. Season with salt and pepper.
-
Place squash in the air fryer basket face down in a single layer.
-
Air fry for 20 minutes at 380 degrees F.
-
Flip, then air fry for another 10-15 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
Notes
- You may need to adjust the cook time of your butternut squash depending on how large your butternut squash is.
- All air fryers cook differently. Adjust times as needed.
- To store leftovers, simply place cool, then place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. You can scoop out the squash before refrigerating or refrigerate the whole halves.
