Butternut Squash Air Fryer Recipe | Roasted Butternut Squash

Try this roasted Butternut Squash air fryer recipe with Chinese 5-spice powder. It's bursting with flavor, vegan, and made in 15 minutes.

Why You'll Love This Amazing Air Fryer Recipe

Thanksgiving and fall are some of my favorite times of the year. There are always so many delicious recipes popping up that it makes it hard to choose which one I'll be making next. This Air Fryer Butternut Squash was something I had been wanting to try and boy, I'm glad I did.

I will definitely be making this butternut squash, again and again, this fall. It was far too delicious and far too easy to not make a few more times. It works as a great side dish, however, it also works great as a snack by itself.

If you don't own an air fryer, you have to get one. They make recipes so easy, not to mention, much healthier. I couldn't believe how amazing recipes turned out when I first started using it.

This Air Fryer Butternut Squash recipe is another winner when it comes to the air fryer. I couldn't help but steal bites as we took photos. It was just too delicious to look at and not eat.

What Spice Makes This Special?

You were expecting some traditional version of Air Fryer Butternut Squash from us? You're surprised I want to use Chinese 5-spice powder instead?

Clearly, you haven't looked around my blog enough if that's the case! You should start with my recipe index here and play around, to find different cuisines, and recipes to suit different diets here.

Chinese Five Spice Powder is a blend of star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, fennel seeds, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and sometimes ginger. It has a lovely sweet, hot flavor that is like no other. It's pretty easy to find in stores, but you can also get it on Amazon.

Why Make This Spiced Butternut Squash In The Air Fryer?

You'll notice with the oven you have to dirty a big sheet pan and add the step of broiling after baking. With the air fryer, you only need to dump the butternut squash into the air fryer basket and let it cook. The air fryer just makes things faster and more efficient, so it's my first choice!

Does Butternut Squash Need To Be Peeled Before Cooking?

Some types of squash do not require peeling before you cook and eat them because they have soft and tender skin.

Unfortunately, butternut squash is not one of those types of squash. Before you chop it up and throw it in the air fryer, make sure you take a vegetable peeler to the outside of your ripe squash and remove the skin.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 4 cups chopped butternut squas- The main ingredient; the small, even cubes allow the squash to cook quickly and evenly in the air fryer while becoming tender inside and lightly crisp on the outside.
• 2 tablespoons oi- Helps the squash brown, crisp, and caramelize in the air fryer. It also helps the spices and sweetener adhere to the squash.
• 1 tablespoon Truvia- Adds sweetness that enhances the natural caramel notes of butternut squash. Truvia keeps it keto-friendly, while brown sugar offers deeper caramelization if not low-carb.
• 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 spice powder- Provides warm, aromatic flavor with notes of star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, and pepper. It gives the squash a unique sweet-savory profile that pairs beautifully with its natural sweetness.

How To Make Butternut Squash In The Air Fryer

Believe it or not, there are only 3 steps to make super easy and delicious butternut squash in your air fryer. Well, technically only two if you leave out the step to serve it.

It's so easy, you would be truly missing out to not try out this 4 ingredient side dish recipe.

Here's how you make it:

1. Mix together the butternut squash, oil, Truvia or sugar, and the Chinese 5 spice powder.
2. Place the squash in the air fryer basket and cook.
3. Remove from the air fryer and enjoy!

Can I Make Spiced Butternut Squash In The Oven?

Yes! All you need to do is spread it on a baking sheet into a single layer, cook for 15 minutes at 400 degrees, and then broil on high for 3-4 minutes to finish it off.

Tips And Tricks

Air fryer butternut squash is quick, easy, and delicious, and these tips will help you achieve evenly cooked, flavorful cubes every time.

• Cut the squash into evenly sized 1-inch cubes so they cook at the same rate and crisp up uniformly.
• Pat the squash dry before seasoning to help the oil and spices adhere better and promote browning.
• Don’t skip the oil. It’s key for caramelization and preventing the squash from drying out in the air fryer.
• Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping on all sides.
• Avoid overcrowding the basket; cook in batches if necessary so the squash roasts rather than steams.

Variations

If you want to explore different flavor profiles, from sweet to savory to spicy, these variations make it easy to customize your air fryer butternut squash:

• Maple Cinnamon Squash- Coat with sugar-free maple syrup (or regular), cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg for a warm, sweet finish.
• Spicy Chili Squash- Add chili powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne for heat and smoky depth.
• Garlic Parmesan Squash- Toss cooked squash with grated parmesan and garlic powder for a cheesy, savory twist.
• Curry Butternut Squash- Season with yellow curry powder, turmeric, and a bit of cumin for an Indian-inspired variation.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Butternut squash has a slightly sweet flavor naturally. When you think of things to pair well with it, going savory is a great tip. Apple, bacon, and ginger all pair well with butternut squash.

If you're needing a new side dish or a yummy new way to prepare your favorite squash, this Air Fryer Squash would be perfect. It's the epitome of comfort food and is sure to please everyone at the dinner table. It's one of our favorite dishes.

How Long Does It Last?

For the best flavor and texture, this Roasted Butternut Squash should be eaten within three days of air frying. After that, the texture will begin to soften.

Can You Freeze It?

Yes, you can freeze air-fried butternut squash, and it holds up quite well if stored properly.

After cooking, let the squash cool completely to prevent excess moisture from forming in the container. Transfer the cooled cubes to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn. Frozen air-fried butternut squash will keep for up to 2–3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy it, reheat the squash in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore its caramelized edges and slightly crisp texture.

More Simple Squash Recipes

• Butternut Ginger Soup - Super easy to make and great for a fall or winter day!
• Keto Zucchini Bread - this bread is incredible and you'll never guess it's Keto-friendly!
• Butternut Apple Soup - this is another great butternut squash soup - and even better because it has bacon!
• This Farro Risotto With Butternut Squash gives you the savory and sweet flavors of fall in one delightful dish!

If you like this roasted Butternut Squash air fryer recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest so they can try it too.