A bottle shape type of squash with a sweet and nutty taste is known as butternut squash and all its seeds are present in its round shape part which is easy to remove.
There are many different ways to prepare and cook it whether you want to cook a holiday side dish or a new way to serve the squash but once you’ll cook the butternut squash in the air fryer, it will become your go-to option.
So, if you haven’t tried this yet, please do yourself a favor and try this fantastic and simple recipe of air fryer butternut squash that I am bringing to you.
Let’s get started.
What is the correct way to cut the butternut squash?
Cutting butternut squash isn’t hard. All you need to do is:
- Wash the squash and pat it dry.
- With a knife, cut off the stem and base of butternut squash.
- With a vegetable peeler, peel off the skin of the squash.
- Then cut the butternut squash lengthwise from the center.
- Take out its seeds from the round shape of squash.
- Now cut the butternut squash into ½ shape cubes, equal from all sides.
Ingredients
- Butternut squash- Choose the one which has orange and smooth skin.
- Olive oil- You can also use any other oil like avocado oil or melted butter as per your choice.
- Salt and pepper- This dish is prepared with very basic seasoning but you can use any other seasoning of your choice too.
Variations in seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cumin + ¼ teaspoon chili powder for a savory flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon ground ginger for a warmly spiced taste.
You can use the above-mentioned seasonings with salt to change the taste of butternut squash.
Instructions
- Step 1- First cut the butternut squash into ½-inch cubes.
- Step 2- Let the air fryer preheat at 400° F for a few minutes.
- Step 3- Add salt, pepper, and olive oil to squash cubes and toss them well until coated.
- Step 4- Now put the butternut squash in the air fryer basket or tray and spread the cubes in a single layer.
- Step 5- Then air fry the squash cubes for 18-20 minutes at 400° F and don’t forget to shake the basket after every 5 minutes until all cubes are caramelized and cooked properly.
- Step 6- Once done, take it out and serve hot.
For more clarity, check out this video to know how to cook air fryer butternut squash.
Tips
- Try to cut butternut squash cubes into consistent sizes as smaller ones will cook faster than larger ones so, for even cooking, its size should be consistent.
- Just fill the air fryer basket with butternut squash cubes halfway full to avoid them being undercooked.
- Once you notice that a fork is gently sliding into the butternut squash, it means it’s done.
Nutritional chart
| Calories | 88kcal | Fiber | 6g |
| Fat | 2g | Sodium | 184mg |
| Saturated fat | 0g | Protein | 2g |
| Unsaturated fat | 1g | Carbohydrates | 20g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | Sugar | 4g |
How to reheat butternut squash?
The butternut squash is best to serve hot because the longer it sits outside, the crisper it would lose which cannot be retained by reheating it.
Though you can reheat it, its crispiness might not be similar to the fresh ones but still, it would taste delicious. However, the best thing is to eat it fresh without any leftovers.
Also, you can store leftovers for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
What to serve with butternut squash?
The butternut squash is a very versatile dish which makes it perfect for weeknight dinners with so many options to serve it with such as:
- Sliced ham
- Pork tenderloin
- Brined turkey breast
- Roasted Salmon
It also tastes great alongside some vegetables like:
Is butternut squash keto-friendly?
I think it can match low-carb and keto-friendly lifestyles if consumed in moderation but you can confirm this from a nutritionist.
One serving of butternut squash is estimated to provide 16-18 grams of carbohydrate with 6 grams of fiber which makes it a low-carb dish but not as low-carb as compared to other squashes like zucchini and yellow squash.
So, for better understanding, you can consult a nutritionist to see if this fits in the keto lifestyle or not.
How do you know if butternut squash has gone bad?
If it shows any of the following signs then know that it has gone bad.
- Slimy- If you notice that your stored butternut squash has become slimy, that means it has gone bad.
- Fuzz- If you see fuzz and mold, it has gone bad.
- Soft spots- Having soft spots on its skin and flesh are signs of it going bad. You can also cut that soft spot area to see if the part around them is okay to eat. If not, discard.
How to buy a good butternut squash?
Here are the characteristics of good butternut squash.
- If it is having smooth skin with no blemishes and discolored spots.
- If it is heavy in size, it means it is sweet which is a good thing to buy it.
- The best butternut squash comes in the season of late Summer or at the end of December.
Can I use pre-peeled and pre-cut butternut squash?
Yes, you can use pre-peeled and pre-cut butternut squash to cook in the air fryer if you’re short on time as it would save you time and energy.
But if you buy pre-cut, make sure that the cubes are of the same size and if the squash pieces are of 1-inch cubes, cut them into ½-inch cubes because smaller cubes are easier and quicker to cook.
What to do with leftover butternut squash?
I have added a list of things you can do with the leftover butternut squash.
- Air-fried butternut squash can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Cooked cubed butternut squash can also be frozen. Freeze the cooled squash cubes in a labeled zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Refrigerate the squash for several hours or overnight to defrost.
- To reheat, place the leftover butternut squash in the air fryer basket and cook at 390 F for 5 to 7 minutes, or until heated all the way through.
Can cooking oil spray be used in an air fryer?
Some cooking oil sprays can cause the nonstick finish on the air fryer basket to chip. To apply the oil, use a spray or mister with no propellants, or a pastry brush or paper towel.
For most recipes, 1 to 2 teaspoons (or 15ml) of oil is recommended. Frozen meals, anything breaded, and most meats, on the other hand, do not require oil to cook because they have their own oils or protective layers.
Conclusion
Air fryer butternut squash is a versatile dish that can be cooked with any seasoning you want but you just have to make sure of a few things to make it perfect.
- Cut the butternut squash lengthwise from the center into ½-inch cubes to cook evenly.
- Let the squash pieces cook in the air fryer for 17-18 minutes and keep shaking the basket in between until all pieces are well cooked and caramelized.
- Check the squash pieces by sliding a fork into them, if it gently slides. Take them out.
- Butternut squash is a low-carb dish that can fit into a healthy lifestyle.