Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves
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Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves are healthy, delicious, and ready in about 35 minutes. The halves are roasted until caramelized with a soft, silky interior that can be used as a side dish or used as an ingredient for many other dishes.
Check out these other Zucchini and Squash Recipes for even more delicious ways to use this versatile gourd!
Roasted butternut squash is one of my favorites! By preparing it in an air fryer you cut the cooking time in half! How awesome is that? You can finish your squash with some type of topping, or you can scoop out the flesh to mix into other recipes like soup.
If you like squash as much as I do, you should definitely try the Instant Pot Butternut Squash and Apple Soup, Butternut Squash and Sage Pizza, and Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Crispy Sage!
What you will need
- One butternut squash that will fit inside your air fryer, approximately 1/5 to 2 pounds.
- Olive oil to brush on the cut-side of the squash. It helps to keep the squash from sticking, and keeps the salt and pepper in place.
- You can use sea salt and black pepper, or a garlic, pepper, salt blend.
- Topping #1: maple syrup mixed with cinnamon.
- Topping #2: melted butter mixed with cinnamon and brown sugar.
- Chopped, toasted pecans are a delicious sprinkled on top. (optional)
Be sure to check out the detailed printable recipe card below
How to roast butternut squash halves in an air fryer
Wash the outside of the butternut squash to remove any dirt. Cut butternut squash in half lengthwise with a sharpened knife.
Scoop out the seeds and the stringy pulp with a spoon.
Brush or spray the squash with olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper (or garlic, pepper, salt blend).
Place the squash cut side down in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 20 minutes at 375 degrees F on the Air Fryer setting.
When the cooking time is up, turn the squash over and cook for an additional 10 minutes cut side up, or until soft and fork-tender. Larger or thicker squash may take longer to cook.
Remove from air fryer and serve sliced or mashed.
To serve with topping, mix the maple syrup with cinnamon, or melted butter mixed with cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl. Ooops, forgot to add ‘brown sugar’ to the image.
Brush over the top with a pastry brush and sprinkled with toasted pecan if desired. Serve immediately.
To roast butternut squash in the oven
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Clean, slice, and remove the seeds and stringy pulp as seen above. Place the squash cut side up in a baking dish, brush with olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper.
Roast in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until soft and fork-tender depending on size. Serve as desired.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- All air fryers cook differently, cooking times may vary.
- Larger or smaller squash will also affect the final cooking time. Start with less time and continue to cook in small intervals until cooked.
- For Whole30 and Paleo: maple syrup, ghee, and pecans are compliant, brown sugar is not.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer using the Reheat setting or in the microwave.
Tools used to create this recipe
You can see the rest of my favorite kitchen tools and gadgets here in my Amazon Affiliate Page. I earn a small commission when you purchase through my links, at no cost to you, so I can keep bringing you more delicious recipes!
- Cutting Board & Chefs Knife
- Knife Sharpener – you want your knife sharp to cut through the tough skin.
- Measuring Spoons
- Air Fryer
- Pastry Brush
- Tongs
- Kitchen Scale
- Keto Maple Syrup
- Swerve Brown Sugar (sugar-free)
- Ceylon Cinnamon
- Salt, Pepper, Garlic Seasoning
Serving suggestions
- Garlic Rosemary Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Oven Roasted Spatchcock Chicken
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Whole Chicken cooked in an Air Fryer
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Enjoy!!
Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1.5 pound butternut squash or size that will fit into air fryer
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
Topping #1
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- .25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons toasted, chopped pecans optional
Topping #2
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- .25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Wash the outside of the butternut squash to remove any dirt. Cut butternut squash in half lengthwise with a sharpened knife.
- Scoop out the seeds and the stringy pulp with a spoon.
- Brush or spray the squash with olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper (or garlic, pepper, salt blend).
- Place the squash cut side down in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes at 375 degrees F on the Air Fryer setting. (I did not preheat the air fryer)
- When the cooking time is up, turn the squash over and cook for an additional 10 minutes cut side up, or until soft and fork-tender. Larger or thicker squash may take longer to cook.
- Remove from air fryer and serve sliced or mashed.
Optional Topping
- Mix the maple syrup with cinnamon, or melted butter mixed with cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl.
- Brush over the top with a pastry brush and sprinkled with toasted pecans if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- All air fryers cook differently, cooking times may vary.
- Larger or smaller squash will also affect the final cooking time. Start with less time and continue to cook in small intervals until cooked.
- For Whole30 and Paleo: maple syrup, ghee, and pecans are compliant, brown sugar is not.
- Nutritional information does not include topping.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer using the Reheat setting or in the microwave.
- To roast in the oven: follow instructions written in the post.
