This air fryer butternut squash halves recipe is the easiest way to prepare delicious butternut squash and it makes a perfect side dish. The squash becomes soft, sweet, and caramelized.
Butternut squash is such a versatile vegetable. It’s similar in taste to sweet potato, with a slightly nutty flavor and a natural sweetness. Air fry butternut squash makes a delicious side dish. It’s got vitamin c which is great for the immune system in the winter months!
It can also be used in butternut squash soup, salads, stews, and more. This easy air fryer recipe makes celebrates the butternut squash as the hero. It’s roasted to perfection, and the flavor is enhanced with a little honey and fresh thyme.
This recipe used small butternut squash halves. If your butternut is too long to fit in the air fryer it can be cut into quarters or smaller pieces instead. For this great side dish, there is no need to peel the squash.
How to prepare cook and prepare the butternut squash
Find the full recipe instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1 – Using a cutting board and sharp knife, slice off the top and bottom of the squash. Slice the butternut squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop the seeds and stringy parts out that are inside of the squash. For very large butternut squash, cut them further into quarters or smaller pieces. You can save the seeds if you want to, and roast
them in the air fryer.
2- Brush the cut side of the squash with olive oil and honey, season, and sprinkle with fresh thyme.
3 – Place the squash pieces in the air fryer basket, in a single layer with the cut sides facing up.
4 – Air fry the squash halves at 350°F/180°C for approximately 30-35 minutes until the squash is very fork tender and the cut side is a caramelized golden brown. The cooking time will depend on both the type of air fryer as well as the size of the squash. Remove the basket of your air fryer and check the squash after 15 minutes.
To serve you can simply scoop the soft centers away from the butternut squash skin. Sprinkle with a little extra fresh thyme.
Other flavor combinations
Instead of honey and thyme, you could coat the squash with other simple ingredients to make it shine:
- Brown sugar or maple syrup and a dash of ground cinnamon. You can omit the sugar too, and just let the naturally sweet taste of the squash come through.
- Along with cinnamon, you could add in pumpkin spice to bring all the fall flavors
- A little smoked paprika and ground cumin
- Simply use sea salt and black pepper
- Feel free to swap the butternut squash for another variety. You could make an air fryer acorn squash which is also a sweeter squash, or other similar winter squashes.
Full recipe
Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves
Soft and caramelized butternut squash with honey and fresh thyme.
Ingredients
- 1 small butternut squash
- ½ Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ Tablespoon honey, warmed to liquid
- 1-2 Tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice off the top and bottom of the squash. Slice the butternut squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop the seeds and stringy parts out that are inside of the squash. For very large butternut squash, cut them further into quarters or smaller pieces.
- Mix together the olive oil and honey, then use a pastry brush to brush the cut sides of the squash. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.
- Place the squash pieces in the air fryer basket, in a single layer with the cut sides facing up.
- Air fry the squash halves at 350°F/180°C for approximately 25-35 minutes until the squash is very fork tender and the cut side is deep golden brown. The cooking time will depend on both the type of air fryer as well as the size of the squash.
- Sprinkle the squash with more fresh thyme to serve.
