Perfect Sweet Roasted Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer

How to make perfectly roasted butternut squash – in the air fryer!

Sometimes cooking squash can be tricky. You don’t want it too mushy and soft, but you don’t want it undercooked and hard either. The air fryer makes it easy to get that perfectly roasted butternut squash every time. I love how very easy this sweet roasted butternut squash is in the air fryer!

Oven and slow cooker instructions are included below for those that don’t have an air fryer yet, but definitely consider getting one. I seriously LOVE my air fryer! Check out more of our favorite air fryer recipes.

How to Prepare Butternut Squash

1. Wash the outside of the squash.
2. Cut off the stem end and cut squash in half lengthwise.
3. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and stringy flesh.
4. Use a knife to score the flesh of the squash, crisscross. (My favorite chef’s knife.)

Pour the melted butter evenly over both halves of the squash. You can use olive oil, if you prefer. Then sprinkle each half of squash with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar (2 tablespoons total) and lightly sprinkle cinnamon over top. (My favorite measuring spoons.) Air fryer roasted butternut squash is so yummy! Even some of the kids like it. 😉

Less Sweet Air Fryer Butternut Squash Option

If you like your roasted butternut squash less sweet, go ahead and do less sugar! Try using just a 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar total, then seasoning the squash lightly with pepper and kosher salt. Or try it with your usual favorite seasonings on butternut squash.

This roasted butternut squash is best in the air fryer. It comes out perfectly roasted and browned on the outside, tender on the inside. A huge plus is that it takes half the time as oven-roasted squash!

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Instructions

Place prepared squash in a single layer in the air fryer basket, flesh-side up. Air fry at 375°F for 27 minutes, or until tender. That’s it! (I have the Philips XXL Airfryer.)

Oven Roasted Butternut Squash Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place prepared squash in a baking dish and add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the pan. Cover and bake 50 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Instructions

Place prepared squash in the slow cooker and cover the bottom of the cooker with 1/2 inch of water.  Then cook on high for 1 hour, or until tender.

How to Serve Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash

Scrape the squash out of the shell and serve it in a bowl or on a plate. Or serve it right from the shell! Sweet roasted butternut squash is an excellent side dish, especially during the fall when it is in season. It can be a healthy main dish too!

Perfect Sweet Roasted Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer

You've got to try sweet roasted butternut squash in the air fryer! It is seriously the best roasted butternut squash I've tasted and it is ready in HALF the time!

5 / 5 ( 2 Reviews )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 27 minutes minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes minutes

Serves: 4

Adjust Servings: 4

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 1 medium butternut squash
• 1 tablespoon butter melted
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

• Wash outside of squash, cut off the stem end, and cut squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and stringy flesh. Use a knife to score the flesh of the squash, crisscross.
• Pour the melted butter evenly over both halves of the squash. Then sprinkle each half of squash with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and sprinkle cinnamon over top. For a less sweet version, use a total of 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar and lightly season with pepper and kosher salt instead.

Air Fryer

• Place prepared squash in a single layer in air fryer basket, flesh-side up. Air fry at 375˚F/191˚C for 27 minutes, or until tender.

Oven

• Preheat oven to 350˚F/177˚C. Place prepared squash in a baking dish and add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the pan. Cover and bake 50 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 34mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g