Description
This spiced Air Fryer Butternut Squash recipe delivers tender, golden cubes of butternut squash coated with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of brown sugar for natural sweetness. Perfect as a cozy side dish for fall meals or holiday dinners, it’s quick and easy to prepare with an air fryer, requiring just 45 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash (5 cups cubed)
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or pure maple syrup)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare the squash: Peel and dice the butternut squash into 1-inch chunks and place them into a large mixing bowl.
- Season the squash: Add olive oil, brown sugar (or maple syrup), salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the bowl. Toss everything well to evenly coat the squash pieces with oil and seasonings.
- Load the air fryer: Transfer the seasoned butternut squash to your air fryer basket. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the squash in batches. The pieces do not need to be in a single layer but avoid overfilling the basket.
- Air fry the squash: Cook the squash at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Shake the basket every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. Continue until the cubes are fork-tender and golden, making sure they are not burnt.
- Serve and store: Serve the air-fried butternut squash immediately. Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain crispness before serving again.
Notes
- This dish is simple and quick, ready in 45 minutes including prep and cooking time.
- You can substitute brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a natural sweetness alternative.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, roasting in a conventional oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-40 minutes would work as a substitute method.
- For batch cooking, avoid overcrowding the basket to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
- This recipe pairs beautifully as a side dish with Thanksgiving dinners or atop warm fall salads.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 114 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 297 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
