If you love roasted squash it’s time to turn to the air fryer because roasted air fryer squash is AMAZING. Super crisp and tender squash in just a fraction of the time it takes to do in the oven.

It’s gourd season!

Come fall, I’m all about the squash. It’s so hearty, delicious, filling, and nutritious. My favorite of all the fall/winter squashes are delicata and honeynut. But I also LOVE kabocha, butternut, buttercup, and acorn. I recently just tried red kuri, a small squash that looks kind of like pumpkin. All the squashes are just so perfect, especially when roasted in the air fryer. They turn golden brown, perfectly caramelized, sweet, salty, with the best buttery texture. It’s a must have fall dish. If I’m being honest, it’s an anytime of the year dish for me but when squash is in season, it’s definitely a daily thing.

This is my go to roasted squash recipe. It’s super easy, with only 4 ingredients: squash, olive oil, salt and pepper. The prep takes hardly any time at all and it’s good enough to enjoy on its own, as a side dish, or in other recipes. Meal prep a bunch of roasted squash at the beginning of the week and you’ll have deliciousness on hand for days.

How to prep squash

This depends on which squash you choose. Technically, all squash skin is edible. Still, that doesn’t mean that all squash skin tastes amazing. Sometimes the textural difference between the skin and the squash is too much. Generally, I tend to peel butternut and kabocha because their skins are a little tough. Honeynut, acorn, and delicata have tender, easy to chew skin so you don’t need to peel them.

If you need to peel your squash, the easiest way is to use a vegetable peeler.

How to cut squash

Get a large, heavy knife and a solid cutting board and chop off the stem then slice the squash in half, vertically. If the squash is super hard, you can pop it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, which will soften it slightly. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and any pulp and then dice or slice the squash into evenly sized pieces.

How to air fry squash

1. Toss the cut squash with a generous drizzle of olive oil and salt and freshly ground pepper.
2. Add the squash to the air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes or until crisp and golden brown, shaking halfway.
3. Let cool slightly and enjoy!

How long to air fry squash

I find that 12-15 minutes at 400°F is perfect! The high heat caramelizes the outsides and the timing is perfect for soft and tender insides.

What air fryer do you have?

If you’re wondering which kind of air-fryer we have, it’s this style. It’s quiet and easy to clean and fairly wide. We love it.

How to use roasted squash

Golden brown, caramelized air fried squash is delicious on its own or as a simple, hearty side dish. If you have any extra on had, there are tons of ways to use roasted squash. Here are some of my favorites:

• in salads
• blended, in soups
• blended as dips
• in curries
• in omelettes
• with quiche or frittatas
• in savory tarts
• in tacos, burritos, or quesadillas
• with pasta (especially mac and cheese!)
• on pizza
• on toast

Happy squashing!
xoxo steph