Air fryer butternut squash
Who knew butternut squash could turn into the crispiest, most delicious fries? This air fryer butternut squash recipe takes an autumn classic and gives it a bold new personality. It is smoky, spicy, and crackling at the edges, yet soft and sweet inside. Served with sriracha mayo on the side, each golden stick is ready to be dipped. Enjoy them as a cosy snack or make them a tasty part of an even tastier dinner.
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Ingredients
Butternut squash in the air fryer
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1
Butternut squash
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1 tbsp
Corn flour
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2 tbsp
Olive oil
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1 tsp
Sweet paprika
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1 tsp
Smoked paprika
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1 tsp
Chilli flakes
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2 tsp
Onion powder
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1 tsp
Garlic powder
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½ tsp
Cayenne pepper
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2 tsp
Flake salt
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Freshly ground pepper
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15 g
Broad-leaf parsley
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Sriracha mayo
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30 g
Mayonnaise
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15 g
Sriracha sauce, to taste
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½ tsp
Garlic powder
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½
Lime, juiced
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Instructions
If you want an easier way to cut the fries and get a consistent size, try using a sturdy mandoline with a julienne blade. Once you have peeled the squash and scooped out the seeds, slice it into manageable chunks that fit your mandoline. Run them through the julienne setting to get perfectly even fry-shaped sticks in seconds. It is a huge time-saver! Just make sure your mandoline is sharp and always use the hand guard for safety, since butternut squash is dense and firm.
Serve your air fryer butternut squash fries right away to keep them crispy and golden on the outside and tender inside. If they cool too quickly after frying, the steam makes the crust soft, losing that great texture contrast. The spices and seasonings also taste best when they are hot, giving a more pronounced flavour. To keep them crispy, do not overcrowd the air fryer and shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure they are cooked evenly throughout.
FAQ: Questions about air fryer butternut squash
Do you have any questions before firing up the air fryer? We have put together an overview with answers to some of the most common ones to help you with your air fryer butternut squash fries.
How long to cook butternut squash in an air fryer?
Cook the butternut squash for about 25–30 minutes at 200 °C in the air fryer. For the best results, cut the squash into French fry-sized sticks. Halfway through, shake the basket to make sure they crisp up evenly. They are done when they are golden and crispy outside and tender inside. Check if they are cooked at 20–25 minutes and adjust the time if necessary, as the cooking time can vary depending on the air fryer model you are using.
How do you peel and cut butternut squash for air frying?
Peel and cut butternut squash for air frying by softening the squash in the microwave for 1–2 minutes. It makes the peeling easier. Then, trim the top and bottom ends off with a sharp chef’s knife to create flat surfaces for stability. Stand the squash upright and peel the skin off completely with a sturdy vegetable peeler, such as a Y-peeler, ensuring no green streaks are left. Next, cut the peeled squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and slice each half into 1–1½ cm French fry-style sticks for even cooking in the air fryer.
Should I preheat the air fryer?
Yes, you should preheat the air fryer since it makes your butternut squash fries crisper and allows them to cook more evenly. When you preheat, the squash sticks start cooking at the ideal temperature of 200 °C, which helps them brown better and get a crispy outside. This is useful especially for butternut squash fries that have a coating of oil and cornflour. If you skip preheating, you might need to cook them slightly longer and shake the basket more often to get a similar crispiness. To preheat, just run the air fryer at 200 °C for 3–5 minutes before you put in the squash sticks.
Nutritional values
Nutritional value, per
749 Kcal
| Fibre | 21.2 gram fibers |
| Protein | 13.5 gram |
| Fat | 50.1 gram |
| Carbohydrates | 61.9 gram |
Recommended information
Serving suggestion
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Crispy air fryer butternut squash done right
When done right, fries may very well be the best part of a meal. They need to be coated perfectly with oil and spices to set them up for greatness before they are cooked. Our air fryer butternut squash takes this to heart by creating an incredibly easy and incredibly crisp batch of fries. The secret weapon is a small sprinkle of cornflour. It adds no flavour, but is simply a way to guarantee the right texture for the fries.
The air fryer simply makes everything easier by cooking the fries perfectly crispy and buttery soft at the same time, every time. It takes away some of the hassle and allows you to tend to other important things, like preparing the rest of the meal or enjoying your favourite show from the couch.
Enjoy with a homemade sriracha mayo dip
Crispy butternut squash fries call for a dip that can hold its own, and this sriracha mayo is the perfect dipping companion. The creamy mayo balances the heat of the sriracha, while fresh lime juice adds a bright, zesty kick. A touch of garlic rounds it all out with a savoury note. It is bold, tangy, and just spicy enough to keep you reaching for the next fry.
We have a large selection of recipes for you to try, like a batch of roasted pumpkin seeds that go well with salads, homemade pumpkin spice to upgrade your daily coffee or baking projects, or a delectable butternut squash lasagne.
Your new go-to easy autumnal snack
Few ingredients capture autumn like butternut squash – golden, comforting, and just a little bit sweet. And as the colder days creep in, there is nothing better than curling up with a warm and satisfying snack. Enter these air fryer butternut squash fries, which are easy to make, full of flavour, and ready in no time.
The bold spice mix coating the fries offers a warm, spicy touch, while the butternut itself is soothingly soft, as you bite into it. Sweet and smoked paprikas give a deep, earthy aroma, while a hint of cayenne and chilli flakes adds a gentle heat that tingles your taste buds.
Adjust to your liking
This air fryer butternut squash recipe invites creativity with every batch. Love a cosy, aromatic twist? Add a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg for gentle warmth, or lean into earthy notes with cumin or a sprinkle of rosemary. Each variation gives you something new to savour every time without sacrificing the autumn vibes.
Try showering the fries with Parmesan cheese during the final minutes for a golden, cheesy finish that melts into the crispy edges. Or swap the fiery sriracha mayo for a cooling avocado-lime dip. It is creamy, fresh, and perfect for balancing the heat of the spices if you find the sriracha too powerful.
Turn snack time extra sweet and whisk a drizzle of honey or maple syrup into the spice mix. That sweet-and-spicy combination caramelises as it cooks, boosting the butternut’s natural sweetness in every bite. No matter how you choose to tweak the recipe, these fries promise crunch and flavour all the way.
