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Home » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves

Published: Oct 11, 2022 · Last Updated: Nov 25, 2022 by Aimee - This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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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.

Butternut squash halves on a plate with chopped parsley.

Lately I've been cooking up all the fall foods in my air fryer. There's air fryer delicata squash, air fryer shredded brussels sprouts, air fryer honeynut squash, and now this air fryer whole butternut squash.

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.

Cooked butternut squash halves in air fryer.

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.

Two halves of butternut squash.

Scoop out the seeds of the butternut squash.

Butternut squash on a cutting board.

Brush the butternut squash insides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. (I like using a silicone brush for this!)

Butternut squash on a cutting board.

Place the butternut squash in the air fryer basket, face down, as shown below.

Uncooked butternut squash in air fryer.

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.

Cooked butternut squash halves in air fryer.

Season as desired and enjoy!

Butternut squash halves on a plate with chopped parsley.

Yum. Air fryer butternut squash halves. Roasted to perfection and so easy to make.

More air fryer recipes to love

Air Fryer butternut squash on a white plate.
Air Fryer Brown Sugar Butternut Squash
Roasted honeynut squash on a plate with thyme leaves.
Air Fryer Honeynut Squash
Candied pecans in a white bowl.
Air Fryer Candied Pecans
Butternut squash halves on a plate with chopped parsley.

Air Fryer Whole Butternut Squash

Recipe by Aimee
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.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 231 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 166mgPotassium: 1322mgFiber: 8gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 39863IUVitamin C: 79mgCalcium: 181mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.

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Comments

  1. alan

    November 21, 2022 at 5:56 am

    is the outer skin/rind edible after air frying?

    Reply
    • Aimee

      November 21, 2022 at 2:27 pm

      Technically, I think you CAN eat it, but I don't, and I don't think most people do. I think it's probably still too tough to really enjoy.

      Reply

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