Air Fryer Honeynut Squash is quick and easy to make. The honeynut squash gets roasted perfectly and the delicious sweetness comes out when cooking in the air fryer.
This recipe makes the perfect side dish or main dish in the fall and winter months when honeynut squash is in season!
I think I've found my new favorite ingredient. Honeynut squash.
It's so flavorful, perfect for fall, and the perfect size! It's kinda like a mini butternut squash but even more flavorful and MUCH easier to cut and work with.
I absolutely love the size of honeynut squash. They are perfect for serving and cooking. And the skin is edible!
Even better? Because of the size, these fit perfectly in an air fryer basket. I can fit 4 honeynut squash halves in my air fryer, which is perfect when I'm cooking them for my family.
Ingredients
- Honeynut squash
- Olive oil
- Smoked paprika
- Dried thyme
- Salt
- Black pepper
What is honeynut squash?
Honeynut squash is a type of winter squash that looks almost like a miniature butternut squash. The squash can get about 6 inches in size, as opposed to 8 to 12 inches for a butternut squash.
Difference between honeynut squash and butternut squash.
Honeynut squash is a hybrid squash that was created in 2017, so it's fairly new! It has a sweet, nutty flavor that is delicious and more intense than butternut squash (and supposed to be more nutrient dense).
The skin of honeynut squash is edible and turns from a green to a golden orange color when the squash is ripe and ready to be cooked.
And you can even roast the seeds! Here's a recipe for Roasted Honeynut Squash Seeds.
Why make this recipe
Easy - Honeynut squash is so easy to roast in the air fryer! It's small, so it will fit perfectly in the air fryer. My air fryer will fit 2 honeynut squash (4 halves).
Quick - Love cooking butternut squash but hate how long it takes? Honeynut squash is so much smaller, so it cooks and get tender in much less time!
Cute - The size of the honeynut squash makes it perfect for entertaining. You can serve each person 2 halves of the honeynut squash as a side dish, or 1 half if serving with another side dish.
How to customize
The air fryer honeynut squash is so easy to customize with your favorite seasonings and spices! Here are a few ideas:
- Dried oregano and some red pepper flakes
- Some dried rosemary or sage
- A drizzle of maple syrup or cinnamon and brown sugar for a sweet side dish
- A little nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice
How to serve the honeynut squash
As mentioned above, the honeynut squash is perfect as a side dish!
If serving as they only side, I like to serve each person 2 halves. If serving with another side, I will give each person 1 half of honeynut squash.
Honeynut squash pairs great with Air Fryer Honey Dijon Chicken Breast or Air Fryer Greek Chicken Thighs.
For another side dish to pair with, I love Air Fryer Green Beans and Bacon or Air Fryer Shredded Brussels Sprouts.
And as a salad option, this Tuscan Kale Salad with Apples is delicious in those fall months!
Recipe tips
- Cooking time may depend on the size and ripeness of your honeynut squash. Ripe honeynut squash has a golden orange skin with very little to no green left. (Honeynut squash is the color of zucchini when unripe).
- If you also scoop out some of the stem area of the squash (thicker part), cook time may only be 18-20 minutes.
- All air fryers cook differently. Your honeynut squashes may need more or less time, depending on your air fryer.
- You can save the honeynut squash seeds for roasting if you like!
How to store leftovers
If you have leftovers, they should be cooled, then stored in an airtight container and placed in the fridge. Use within 3-4 days.
To reheat, either place in the oven or in the air fryer and reheat until hot.
How to make air fryer honeynut squash
Slice each of the honeynut squash in half lengthwise through the stem.
Scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Brush the honeynut squash faces with olive oil. (I like to use a silicone pastry brush for this).
Season with your spices.
Place honeynut squash halves in the air fryer face up.
Air fry at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes until squash is tender when pierced with a fork.
Serve and enjoy!
Other air fryer recipes to love
Air Fryer Honeynut Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 honeynut squash about 8 oz each
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- sprinkling smoked paprika optional
Instructions
- Slice each honeynut squash in half lengthwise through the stem.
- Scoop out the seeds of each honeynut squash half.
- Brush the faces of the honeynut squash with olive oil. Season with dried thyme, salt, pepper, and a sprinkling of smoked paprika.
- Place in your air fryer basket in a single layer, face up.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, until thickest section of the squash is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove and enjoy.
Notes
- Cooking time may depend on the size and ripeness of your honeynut squash. Ripe honeynut squash has a golden orange skin with very little to no green left. (Honeynut squash is the color of zucchini when unripe).
- If you also scoop out some of the stem area of the squash (thicker part), cook time may only be 18-20 minutes.
- All air fryers cook differently. Your honeynut squashes may need more or less time, depending on your air fryer.
- You can save the honeynut squash seeds for roasting if you like!
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.
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