Name: Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 large butternut squash (5 cups cubed); 2-3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or pure maple syrup); 3/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Nothing says cozy fall vibes like sweet, spiced butternut squash cooked perfectly in the air fryer. This Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe is a game changer—crispy edges, tender insides, and a touch of warm cinnamon and nutmeg that’ll have you reaching for seconds.

A white bowl filled with about two layers of small, golden brown cooked potato cubes, with some pieces showing a slightly darker, crispy texture. The potatoes look soft and coated in a shiny glaze with specks of seasoning. A spoon with a black handle is partly inside the bowl resting on the potatoes. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, near two cinnamon sticks lying on the top right and a white cloth on the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I swear, once I nailed this Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe, it became my go-to way to cook butternut squash. It’s fuss-free and fast, with that perfect blend of sweet and spice that just cheers up any side dish or meal.

Quick and Easy: It’s done in under 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
Hands-Off Cooking: The air fryer does all the work, and shaking the basket every 10 minutes is so simple.
Comfort in Every Bite: That warm cinnamon and nutmeg combo gives it a comforting, fall-inspired flavor you won’t forget.
Versatile Side or Snack: Serve it with everything from salads to Thanksgiving dinner, or just enjoy it solo!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe plays a role in creating that perfect balance of crispy, tender, and warmly spiced. Here’s why I choose each one and a few of my best tips for picking them out.

Flat lay of a large butternut squash whole and uncut showing its smooth tan skin, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright orange cubed butternut squash, a small white ceramic bowl with golden olive oil glistening, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden brown sugar crystals, a small white ceramic bowl with fine ground cinnamon powder in warm reddish brown, a small white ceramic bowl containing fine light beige ground nutmeg powder, and a small white ceramic bowl of coarse white sea salt crystals, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butternut squash: Look for one that feels heavy for its size with a firm, unblemished skin for sweetness and texture.
Olive oil: It helps everything crisp up nicely without overpowering the squash’s natural flavor.
Brown sugar (or pure maple syrup): Adds a subtle, caramel-like sweetness that plays beautifully with the spices.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and depth, key to that cozy spiced feel.
Ground nutmeg: A little goes a long way—it’s a perfect partner to cinnamon for that classic autumn spice blend.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I adore about this Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste. Sometimes I swap out the brown sugar for pure maple syrup when I want a natural sweetness or add a pinch of chili powder for a subtle kick.

Variation: I’ve had great success adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika to add smoky depth—it pairs wonderfully if you’re serving with grilled meats.
Dietary tweak: It’s naturally gluten-free and vegan, which means it works wonderfully for most diets.
Seasonal twist: In winter, I like stirring in a dash of ground cloves or allspice for holiday vibes.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe

The image shows many small cubes of roasted butternut squash with a golden-orange color and slightly crispy edges. They are spread out evenly on a wire cooling rack. The background is a white marbled texture, making the bright orange color of the squash stand out clearly. The cubes have a soft, roasted texture with some areas a bit darker, showing light browning. There are no other elements visible in the image. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Squash for Success

First things first: peeling and dicing butternut squash can be a bit intimidating, but trust me—it’s worth it. I use a sharp chef’s knife and a sturdy vegetable peeler. Cut off the top and bottom so it sits flat on your board, then peel away the skin. Slice in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and dice into 1-inch chunks. The cubes cook more evenly and get beautifully tender in the air fryer.

Step 2: Toss with Oil, Sugar, and Spices

Pop those cubes into a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle on your brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Then give it a good toss with your hands or a spatula until everything is nicely coated. This step is key for that perfect sweet-and-spiced crust. If you like, taste a small cube raw—it helps you adjust the seasoning here before cooking.

Step 3: Air Fry to Golden Perfection

Transfer the coated squash to your air fryer basket. It doesn’t have to be perfectly spread out, but try not to overcrowd it; if you have a smaller basket, cook in batches. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Every 10 minutes, give the basket a shake to brown all sides evenly. When the squash is fork-tender and lightly caramelized at the edges, it’s ready!

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few things the hard way making this recipe that I want to share—these tips will save you time and help deliver perfect results every time.

Choosing the right cube size: Cutting the chunks too small makes them dry out, and too big means uneven cooking. About 1-inch is my sweet spot.
Shake, don’t stir: I always shake the air fryer basket instead of stirring with a spoon, which helps keep the cubes intact instead of breaking apart.
Don’t overcrowd: Too many cubes at once cause steaming instead of roasting—split into batches if needed for optimum crunch.
Use fresh spices: Ground cinnamon and nutmeg lose potency fast, so fresh spices make a noticeable flavor difference.

How to Serve Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe

spiced butternut squash - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this spiced squash with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or a few toasted pecans for crunch. Sometimes I drizzle a little tahini or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs brilliantly with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or a hearty grain bowl. It’s also fantastic beside warm quinoa salad or creamy mushroom risotto for a comforting meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to arrange the squash cubes on a platter sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and fresh thyme. It adds a festive pop of color and elevates the simple dish to something extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they stay fresh for about 3-4 days. To revive their crispiness, I pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes—works like magic every time!

Freezing

Freezing works, but I recommend doing it only if you plan to add the squash to soups or stews later, as reheated frozen cubes won’t be as crisp. Flash freeze on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer bag for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, the air fryer is your best friend for restoring crispiness. Set it to 350°F and heat for 5 minutes or so until warmed through. Alternatively, the oven works too, but the air fryer method keeps the edges delightfully crisp.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen butternut squash for this recipe?

While fresh butternut squash yields the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen squash. Just thaw and pat dry thoroughly to avoid sogginess, then proceed with the recipe.

How do I know when the squash is done?

The squash should be fork-tender and slightly golden around the edges. You can test by piercing a cube with a fork; it should slide in easily without resistance, and the surface should have a caramelized look.

Can I skip the sugar in the recipe?

Yes, you can omit the brown sugar or maple syrup if you prefer less sweetness. However, the sugar helps with caramelization and balances the spices, so consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a pinch of salt to enhance flavor instead.

What’s the best way to clean the air fryer after cooking butternut squash?

Simply wipe down the basket with warm soapy water after it cools. Using parchment paper designed for air fryers beneath the squash can also help reduce sticking and make cleanup easier.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Spiced Butternut Squash Recipe is a beautiful little celebration of fall flavors that’s both approachable and satisfying. I always recommend giving it a try if you want something that feels special but doesn’t require a ton of effort. Once you get that crispy, golden, and warmly spiced bite, I’m pretty sure you’ll be making it again and again—just like I do!