Air Fryer Butternut Squash (Easy Roasted Squash)

Name: Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 Cups Cubed Butternut Squash; 1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon; Olive Oil Cooking Spray

By: Kristy | Updated: May 19, 2026 | 55 Comments

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There may be affiliate links within the post.

Jump to Recipe

Air fryer butternut squash is one of the easiest ways to get perfectly roasted squash with crispy edges and a tender center. If you’ve ever wondered how to cook butternut squash in the air fryer, this simple recipe uses basic ingredients and cooks faster than the oven, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday sides.

Are you ready for a low-calorie, simple side dish? This Air Fryer Butternut Squash is prepared in less than 20 minutes, it’s not only flavorful but it’s also nutritious and naturally gluten-free. Making butternut squash in the air fryer requires very minimal prep with just a handful of simple ingredients.

Why you should make Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer:

Ready in less than 20 minutes.
Naturally gluten-free and low-carb.
Perfect texture!
Beginner Friendly and Kid-Friendly!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Butternut Squash:

Butternut Squash
Ground Cinnamon
Olive Oil Cooking Spray or Grapeseed Oil Cooking Spray

There are a few optional ingredients that can also be used, such as maple syrup, salt, or black pepper. If you want to add some maple syrup and brown sugar, you can certainly do so; however, with this recipe, I like to use simple ingredients to keep the calorie count low.

For a savory butternut squash, combine rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, and a teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a bowl, then toss with the butternut squash. Herbs and spices of your choice can be used too.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray or line it with foil and spray.
Place the butternut squash in the basket.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and coat with olive oil spray.
Cook at 390 degrees F for 20 minutes. It’s best to check on it after 10 minutes, stir, coat, and continue cooking. At this point, you can also add more cinnamon if you prefer.
Serve.

How do you peel a Whole Butternut Squash?

The trickiest part about preparing air-fried butternut squash is cutting the squash. Once you learn how to properly cut a butternut squash, the rest of the steps will be simple.

Trim the Squash – Using a cutting board, place the squash on the cutting board and trim the ends with a sharp knife, about 1/2 inch from the top and bottom.
Peel the Skin – After the ends are trimmed, use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer skin.
Cut in Half – Once the outer skin is removed, use a sharp knife to cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise.
Scoop out the Seeds – Using a spoon, scrape the seeds out from the inside of the squash.
Cut the Squash – The squash can be cut either into cubes or also in strips if you prefer to make butternut squash fries.

How do you make Air Fryer Butternut Squash?

Once the squash has been cut, the squash can be placed directly into the air fryer basket, coated with olive oil cooking spray, and sprinkled with ground cinnamon. This will be air-fried at 390 degrees F for 20 minutes.

If you prefer a more even coat of seasoning, place the squash in a large mixing bowl, add the olive oil spray and seasoning, then stir or mix the squash before pouring it into the air fryer basket.

Add the butternut squash in an even layer as best as possible to evenly cook.

It’s best to watch the squash or check on it about 10 minutes after the cooking time, as all machines heat differently, so there may be a difference in time for your machine. The squash is done when it’s crispy and fork-tender.

The prep time is just about 5-10 minutes, so this side dish is ready in a total time of 30 minutes or less.

This is also a great recipe to add to your list of Ninja Foodi Recipes.

What type of spray or oil should you use for the air fryer?

I almost always use Olive Oil Cooking Spray; you just need a light coat to give it some moisture. This means you are using far less oil than you would if you were using a bottle of oil. The best oil sprays to use are olive oil spray or grapeseed oil spray. The grapeseed oil spray will have a higher smoke point.

How to store leftover butternut squash?

Once fully cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, air fry at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness.

Can you use pre-cut butternut squash?

This can easily be made with pre-cut butternut squash, too. This squash will be cut into 1-inch cubes and can be placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer, just like a freshly cut squash would be.

These can be found fresh or frozen in the grocery store during squash season.

More Air Fryer Squash Recipes:

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash – Make your favorite spaghetti squash in your air fryer. This results in a wonderful roasted spaghetti squash.
Air Fried Yellow Squash – Use a gluten-free breading to coat your garden-fresh squash and then use very little oil to prepare it in the air fryer and make air-fried squash!

If you are looking for oven-roasted butternut squash, be sure to check out this recipe too.

It pairs perfectly with flavors that resemble the fall season, such as apple, maple, pumpkin, and cinnamon. It makes for the perfect Thanksgiving side dish or for the holiday season in general! It also pairs wonderful with soups or salads.

These Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts will also make a great additional side dish along with the squash.

Air Fryer Butternut Squash is an easy, delicious, and nutritious way to enjoy a classic fall vegetable year-round as the perfect side dish. It is easy to make sweet or savory based on your preference!

Be sure to check out my Amazon Store for more Air Fryer Products!

More Squash Recipes: