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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!

Looking down on two butternut squash halves topped with maple syrup and chopped pecans and butter with brown sugar.

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

Ingredients needed to make air fryer butternut squash halves.
  • 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

Two air fryer butternut squash halves on a rectangle platter, one with maple syrup and chopped pecans, the other with melted butter and brown sugar.

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.

A butternut squash cut into two halves on a cutting board.

Scoop out the seeds and the stringy pulp with a spoon.

Two butternut squash halves with the seeds and pulp removed on a cutting board.

Brush or spray the squash with olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper (or garlic, pepper, salt blend).

Two butternut squash halves brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Place the squash cut side down in the air fryer basket.

Butternut Squash halves flesh side down in an air fryer.

Cook for 20 minutes at 375 degrees F on the Air Fryer setting.

Air Fryer set for 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

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.

Butternut Squash halves flipped flesh side up in the cooking tray.

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.

A small bowl of maple syrup and cinnamon next to a small bowl of melted butter and cinnamon.

Brush over the top with a pastry brush and sprinkled with toasted pecan if desired. Serve immediately.

One air fryer butternut squash halves topped with maple syrup and pecans and the other with butter and brown sugar with a bowl of glaze on the side.

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!

Serving suggestions

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Enjoy!!

Looking down on two butternut squash halves topped with maple syrup and chopped pecans and butter with brown sugar.

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves are healthy, delicious, and ready in about 35 minutes. Roasted until caramelized with a silky interior.
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: roast butternut squash recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 107kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Equipment

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 599mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 18081IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1mg

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