Description
This spiced Air Fryer Butternut Squash recipe offers tender, golden cubes of butternut squash seasoned with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of brown sugar or maple syrup. Ready in 45 minutes, it's a perfect side dish for fall dinners or a cozy addition to salads. The squash is coated in olive oil and spices, air fried to perfection for a deliciously crisp outside and soft inside.
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 add them to a large bowl.
- Season the squash: Add olive oil, brown sugar or maple syrup, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to the bowl. Toss well to evenly coat all the squash cubes with the seasoning mixture.
- Arrange in air fryer: Transfer the seasoned squash to your air fryer basket. If the basket is small, cook in batches. The squash does not need to be in a single layer but avoid overfilling the basket.
- Air fry the squash: Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the squash for 30 minutes, shaking the basket every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking and browning. Cook until the squash is fork-tender and golden but not burned.
- Serve: Serve the squash immediately as a side dish. For leftovers, store in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat by popping them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until warm and crisp again.
Notes
- This recipe is easy and quick, perfect for fall or holiday side dishes like Thanksgiving.
- You can substitute maple syrup for brown sugar to keep it natural and vegan-friendly.
- Ensure you shake the basket every 10 minutes to prevent burning and promote even cooking.
- If your air fryer basket is small, cook the squash in batches for best results.
- Leftover squash reheats well in the air fryer to regain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings
- 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
