Easy side dishes are always a good idea, and this air fryer frozen butternut squash couldn't be more simple! Made with minimal ingredients, it's a healthy vegetable side that tastes so delicious.
Butternut squash is always a delicious side dish, and bursting with healthy vitamins too. Perfect with meat, poultry and plant-based dishes, but let's face it, it's a little bit of a hassle to prepare. So if you have cut up a butternut squash and have extras, simple cube and freeze to air fry later!
Making this frozen butternut squash in an air fryer couldn't be more easy and I've added some extra flavor with thyme and garlic. With just a few minutes of prep time and good shake of the air fryer basket during cook time, you'll soon have a healthy side dish for your tasty meals!
Check out my post on making frozen cauliflower rice for another easy vegetable side dish straight from the freezer! And if you're an air fryer lover, then have a peek at my boneless skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer, my air fried bok choy, air fryer broccoli and cauliflower and my easy air fryer spiced pears and pita chips too!
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⭐ Why this recipe is so good
Cozy comfort food side. Squash is such a tasty veggie and especially perfect in the fall and winter months.
Freezer staple side. Whether you are using store-bought frozen butternut squash or one you have prepared yourself, this is a grab and cook vegetable side!
Quick and easy. No complicated steps, just add your seasonings and let the air fryer work it's magic.
🍠 Ingredients
All the ingredients and their quantities are set out in the recipe card below.
Some notes on a few of them:
- Frozen butternut squash - you can use store-bought or cubes you have frozen yourself.
- Dried thyme - adds a little flavor to the squash.
- Garlic powder - I suggest using just a touch as it's quite pungent, but up the quantity if you're a garlic lover!
📖 Swaps and variations
Swap thyme for another herb. Other dried herbs such as rosemary, sage and parsley would also be delicious!
Swap olive oil for an olive oil spray. Both work well, just be sure to coat the squash cubes so they get nicely crispy edges!
🔪 Step by step instructions
Making this air fryer frozen butternut squash is very simple with just a few steps:
Step 1
Add the frozen butternut squash to a large bowl. Pour in the olive oil and sprinkle with the dried thyme, garlic powder and salt (image 1). Toss, or use a spoon to combine so the squash is coated in the oil and seasonings.
Step 2
After preheating the air fryer, tip the frozen butternut squash cubes into the basket in an even layer (image 2). Space them slightly apart as this will help them get crispy edges.
Step 3
Air fry the butternut squash cubes for 12-18 minutes. Check the basket after 10 minutes to see how well the squash cubes are cooked, and then every 4-5 minutes. Give the cubes a stir or shake the basket so they cook more evenly (image 3).
If needed, cook for extra time at 3 minute intervals (this may be necessary if your cubes of squash are on the larger side).
You may also like a little extra cook time if you like very crispy edges to your air fried butternut squash cubes!
💭 Recipe tips and notes
- If you are dicing the butternut squash yourself to freeze, I suggest cutting into roughly similar size cubes so they air fry more evenly when you come to cook them.
- Evenly coat the squash cubes in oil and seasonings.
- Air fry the butternut squash in a single layer for an even cook time.
- Cook time will vary depending upon the size of your butternut squash cubes. If they are on the larger side, they may need a little longer cook time.
- The butternut squash cubes should be tender with slight browning to the edges.
- Always be careful when removing the vegetables from the air fryer basket as it will be very hot.
📋 Frequently asked questions
No need to thaw, simply add the frozen butternut squash to your air fryer basket and air fry!
Yes, it is suitable for both dietary requirements and is a low histamine air fryer recipe too.
It isn't quite as crispy as fresh butternut squash as it has a higher water content, but still has crispy edges.
🥣 More easy side dishes
Find so many healthy and tasty ideas on my sides page, including my popular honey roast vegetables, my roast potatoes and zucchini and my air fried gnocchi and romaine lettuce. Some recent recipes to enjoy:
I'm always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes! And I love to hear from you - so please do leave a 5 star rating ⭐⭐⭐ if you loved the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- ½ pound frozen butternut squash cubes
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch salt optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 370F / 190C for 3 minutes.
- Add the butternut squash cubes, olive oil, dried thyme, garlic powder and salt to a bowl. Stir with a spoon to coat the squash in the oil and seasonings.
- Place the butternut squash in an even layer in your air fryer basket and air fry for 12-18 minutes at 370F / 190C. Check the basket after 10 minutes to see how well the squash cubes are cooked through. Then check every 4-5 minutes, and either stir or give it a good shake.
- Cook time will vary slightly depending upon the thickness of the cubes of butternut squash. If needed, continue to air fry at intervals of 3 minutes.
- Remove the butternut squash cubes from the air fryer carefully as the basket will be very hot.
Notes
- If you are dicing the butternut squash yourself to freeze, I suggest cutting into roughly similar size cubes so they air fry more evenly when you come to cook them.
- Evenly coat the squash cubes in oil and seasonings.
- Air fry the butternut squash in a single layer for an even cook time.
- Cook time will vary depending upon the size of your butternut squash cubes. If they are on the larger side, they may need a little longer cook time.
- The butternut squash cubes should be tender with slight browning to the edges.
- Always be careful when removing the vegetables from the air fryer basket as it will be very hot.
- Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy. It is auto-generated and should be considered to be an estimate.
- garlic, which scores 1.
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