Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash
Last Updated on October 30, 2025 by Betty Davies
Seasoned with maple syrup and sage, these roasted butternut squash cubes are quick, easy and delicious to make in the air fryer. This seasonal fall recipe is a wonderful side dish to accompany all of your favorite mains, and is perfect for Thanksgiving.
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I always look forward to fall, because of the abundance of squash! I often make butternut squash soups, but I love cooking up this seasonal vegetable for delicious side dishes.
This is the first time I roasted squash in the air fryer, and it turned out so delicious, I just knew I had to share it with you!
The sage adds a wonderful earthy flavor that works so well with the squash, and the maple syrup adds a hint of sweetness and caramelizes the edges.
Quick and easy to make, the butternut squash comes out of the air fryer perfectly tender, and super tasty.
Be sure to try my Butternut Squash Stacks and Butternut Squash Mash too!
Why you will love this recipe!
- Simple: You just a few basic ingredients to make this vegetable side dish and it’s ready in no time at all.
- Festive: This is a great side dish to enjoy throughout fall, and it makes for a great addition to your Thanksgiving dinner.
- Good for you: You can never have enough veggies on your plate! Packed with vitamins, minerals and nutrients, butternut squash doesn’t just taste good!
- Dietary info: This air fryer butternut squash recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan.
Ingredients and Notes
- Butternut Squash: Use a small to medium sized squash. I used a longer and straighter one taht is less bulbous.
- Oil: Use any neutral flavored oil like canola, avocado, vegetable or olive oil.
- Maple Syrup: Just a little adds a hint of sweetness and helps to get beautiful caramelized edges.
- Garlic: I used a fresh garlic clove, but you can also use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Sage: Ground sage adds a wonderful earthiness to the dish.
- Salt: Just a little is needed. If you prefer more salt, you can add it after cooking.
How to make air fried butternut squash
Be sure to scroll down for the whole recipe!
It really does take a matter of minutes to make this butternut squash side dish!
- Cut the squash in half with a sharp knife, scoop out the seeds and peel.
- Cut the squash into 1 inch cubes. Place in a bowl and toss with the oil, maple syrup, garlic, sage and salt.
- Place in a single layer in an air fryer basket. Cook til tender.
Recipe Variations
Honey can be used in place of the maple syrup, or even a tablespoon of brown sugar.
You can easily play around with the seasonings that you use to make this dish your own. Some tasty suggestions:
- Italian Seasoning
- Rosemary
- Paprika
- Chili Flakes
- Thyme
- Cinnamon
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer butternut squash is perfect to serve alongside roasted meats, and of course, it’s a great addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. Try it with some of these favorite recipes:
Frequently Asked Questions
For the best texture and flavor, it’s best to use fresh.
You can adapt this recipe to cook a whole squash. Cut the squash in half, remove the seeds and peel (you can leave the skin on if you prefer and scoop out the flesh once cooked). Brush the oil and seasonings on the cut halves and cook for around 25 minutes.
You can also cut the squash into wedges if you prefer, again, these will need a slightly longer cooking time.
Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating
You can cut the squash and season it a few hours ahead of time. Keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to cook.
The air fryer butternut squash is best enjoyed as soon as it’s cooked, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 325F/ 160c for 5 minutes to warm through.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Butternut squashes are very firm and can be hard to cut. Use a sharp chefs knife to cut it.
- Cut the cubes around 1inch. If smaller or larger you may need to adjust the cooking time.
- Cook the squash in a single layer for best results.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to help the squash cook evenly.
- Different air fryer models can run hotter or cooler. Cook the squash til fork tender. Check for doneness around 12 minutes.
Air Fryer Roasted Butternut Squash
Equipment
- Sharp Chef's Knife
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash (small to medium)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Using a large sharp knife, cut off the end and top of the butternut squash, and cut in half lengthways.1 butternut squash
- Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and discard.
- Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin of the squash.
- Cut the squash into 1 inch cubes and place in a bowl.
- Add the oil and maple syrup to the squash. Toss well to coat the cubes.1 tablespoon oil, 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Add the garlic, sage and salt to the squash and stir well to combine.1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon ground sage, ½ teaspoon salt
- Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook in the air fryer at 400F / 200c for 15 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through.
- Check for doneness around 13 minutes. The butternut squash should be fork tender.
Notes
- Butternut squashes are very firm and can be hard to cut. Use a sharp chefs knife to cut it.
- Cut the cubes around 1inch. If smaller or larger you may need to adjust the cooking time.
- Cook the squash in a single layer for best results.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to help the squash cook evenly.
- Different air fryer models can run hotter or cooler. Cook the squash til fork tender. Check for doneness around 12 minutes.
