These Air Fryer Butternut Squash halves is an effortless way to make an easy and flavorful side dish. It is roasted with a simple maple cinnamon glaze to make a healthy fall vegetable with soft and tender interior.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
You will love this recipe because it is an easy way to serve a great side dish for the holiday season. All you have to do is cut a squash in half and roast in our favorite counter top appliance.
This is not only perfect for Thanksgiving dinner but also pairs perfectly well for weeknight meal along with shrimp, fish or chicken dishes. It is a fast and healthy way to cook your favorite vegetable.
The result is very soft texture with a simple cinnamon maple seasoning served especially with chicken tenders, homemade chicken nuggets or chicken broccoli pasta bake for dinner.
This is one of my favorite roasted vegetable because of its sweet and savory flavor and pairs amazingly well with Holiday main course just like these dinner rolls, roasted broccoli or garlic bread.
Why You'll Love This Recipe?
- Amazing texture - It comes out very soft, tender with a caramelized top.
- Tastes delicious - Flavored with cinnamon, maple syrup and olive oil, it compliments the sweet and nutty flavor of the roasted vegetable.
- Simple recipe - With just few simple basic pantry ingredients and easy prep, this is a one of simple side dishes to make. My favorite part is there is no need to cut the hard vegetable into small cubes.
- Free up your oven - It comes in handy for the big day.
- Healthy - It is gluten free, dairy free, vegan and highly nutritious.
BENEFITS
Being low in calories, it is packed with fiber, antioxidants, high in vitamin A, C and minerals like magnesium, potassium and manganese. It is versatile and easily made into sweet and savory dishes. It can be made into soups, stuffed, cubed, wedges or made into fries.
How To Select a Ripe One?
When shopping for butternut squash, look for one that feels heavy for it's size when picked up. The skin should have a matte finish and not be shiny. It should sound hollow if you give a tap and should have no green patches or blemishes.
Do I Need To Peel The Squash?
No! Peeling is recommend only if you're cutting into cubes or fries. When cooking a whole one like this, it's best not to peel it before you cook, which makes it very easy to prepare.
It can be served as a half for an impressive presentation, cut into slices along with the skin or flesh scooped.
How to Cut?
If you find it intimidating to cut a butternut squash, you are not alone! However, don’t let its odd shape and hard surface stop you from cooking it.
Use a sharp chef's knife to the cut off both the top stem end and bottom or leave whole like the photos for an impressive presentation. Place the squash on it's curvy side on a cutting board and slice in half down the centre to get two equal halves.
Using a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy parts from the inside of the curvy side.
INGREDIENTS (scroll to the bottom of the post for full recipe)
- Butternut Squash - It is one of the most popular of all winter squashes. You will need a two to three pound vegetable for this recipe.
- Oil - Extra virgin olive oil.
- Maple syrup - It compliments the sweet flavor and helps in caramelization.
- Spices - Ground cinnamon, black pepper and salt.
HELPFUL TIPS
- Air Fryer size - We used a 6 quart Instant vortex and was able to fit a 2 and half pound one comfortably without overlapping. If using a large vegetable or a smaller air fryer, then cook in batches.
- Cooking time - It depends on the vegetable size and the type of air fryer used.
VARIATIONS
- Use brown sugar or honey instead of maple syrup.
- Use melted butter instead of olive oil.
- Replace ground cinnamon with pumpkin spice.
- Add a pinch of cayenne to the seasoning blend.
HOW TO MAKE (scroll to the bottom of the post for full recipe)
- Prep - Slice the vegetable in half using a sharp knife, scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp using a spoon.
- Cook - Brush the flesh with some olive oil, place cut side down into the basket and cook at 380 degrees, until tender.
- Brush cinnamon maple glaze - Using tongs, flip the vegetable flesh side up and then brush the flesh side with cinnamon-maple glaze. Continue cooking at 400 degrees until caramelized.
HOW TO SERVE
- Thanksgiving dinner paired with Whole Roast Chicken, Baked Sweet Potato, Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Almond Flour Biscuits.
- Side dish for weeknight dinner with Baked Chicken Cutlets, Salmon, Chicken Parmesan or air fryer tilapia.
- Pair with scrambled eggs or omelette for breakfast.
- Make a soup, risotto, pasta sauce or ravioli with the scooped flesh.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
- Store - Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days.
- Reheat - Air fry flesh side up in a pre heated 350 degree air fryer for 3 to 6 minutes (depending on the quantity), until warmed through.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The skin is edible, however it might be tough and unpleasant to eat.
If you try this recipe or any other recipe from Kitchen At Hoskins, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took any pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram so I can share them on my stories.
More Air Fryer Side Dishes to Try:
Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash 2 to 3 pounds
- 1 tablespoon + ½ tablespoon olive oil divided
- 1 tablespoon + ½ tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise from stem to the bottom. Scoop the seeds and pulp out of the cavity.
- Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil on the flesh side.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F for 23 minutes. When hot place the squash cut side don and cook for 20 to 23 minutes, (depending on the size) until tender (a knife can easily pierce into the flesh).
- Carefully turn the squash over with tongs and brush with the glaze.
- Cook at 400°F for 7 to 9 minutes or until the surface is golden and caramelized.
- To make glaze - Mix maple syrup, salt, black pepper, cinnamon and remaining ½ tablespoon olive oil together in a small bowl.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third party calculations, should be considered estimates and not be construed as a guarantee. Varying factors such as product types, brands purchased, produce, the way ingredients are processed and more change the nutritional information in any recipe.
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