Air Fryer Butternut Squash Fries
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to regular fries, try Air Fryer Butternut Squash Fries! Butternut squash is a great source of fiber and vitamin A, and the air fryer or Ninja Foodi makes them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve as a side dish to any main course!
When butternut squash is in season, we try to use them in as many recipes as possible. One of the best ways to use butternut squash is by making fries in the air fryer!
Butternut squash is a winter squash that grows on a vine. It has a long neck and round body with orange flesh. It tastes like a cross between a pumpkin and a sweet potato.
Butternut squash is a great alternative to regular fries because they are lower in calories and fat. They are also a good source of fiber and vitamin A. Butternut squash fries are gluten-free and vegan!
After the squash is cut into french fry shapes, the air fryer uses dry circulating heat to cook the squash. This makes them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside in just 20 minutes or less!
Kids and adults love the taste and they can be served with any main course or other side dishes. Serve air fryer butternut squash fries with ketchup, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
🍽️What You’ll Need
- Butternut Squash – You can find butternut squash in the produce section of most grocery stores. Look for a squash that is long and has a round body. If you’re short on time, you can also use precut butternut squash crinkle fries.
- Avocado Oil – Any high-temperature cooking oil with no taste will work well for this recipe. You can also use coconut oil ghee.
- Salt & Pepper – These two classic seasonings balance the sweetness of the squash and enhance their flavor.
- Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi – We love using our air fryer because it makes cooking a breeze with minimal cleanup!
📖How To Make Butternut Squash Fries In The Air Fryer
1️⃣Prepare the butternut squash: Start by peeling the squash. Cut the neck off and then cut the squash in half where the neck meets the body. Scoop out the seeds from the center of each half with a spoon. Cut each half of the squash into thick slices, about ¾-inch thick. Then cut each slice into fry shapes.
2️⃣Preheat your air fryer: Turn your air fryer to 375F and preheat for 3-5 minutes.
3️⃣Season the fries: In a large bowl, toss the squash fries with avocado oil, salt, and pepper.
4️⃣Air fry the butternut squash fries: Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F. Add the seasoned squash fries to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until golden brown and cooked through on the inside.
5️⃣Serve with your favorite dipping sauce: Remove with tongs. Serve air fryer butternut squash fries with ketchup, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
👩🏻🍳Air Fryer Cooking Tips
Cutting a butternut squash can be dangerous if you do not have a sharp enough knife. If you are not confident in cutting the squash, use pre-cut butternut squash fries that can be found at Trader Joe’s or in the prepared section of your grocery store.
The best time and temperature depends on how thick your butternut squash fries are. You may need more or less cooking time. For extra crispy fries, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Butternut squash fries contain moisture inside so they are best served immediately. Leftover butternut squash fries can become soggy quickly.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will cause the air not to circulate properly, which will not cook the fries evenly.
🥦Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
- Okra
- Yuca Fries
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
- Smashed Potatoes
- Garlic
- Corn On The Cob
- Whole Sweet Potato
- Tostones
- Acorn Squash
- Cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Asparagus
- Hash Browns
- Butternut Squash
- Broccoli
Air Fryer Butternut Squash Fries
Equipment
- air fryer or Ninja Foodi
Ingredients
- 1 pound Butternut Squash peeled, cored, and cut into fries
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Start by peeling the squash. Cut the neck off and then cut the squash in half where the neck meets the body. Scoop out the seeds from the center of each half with a spoon. Cut each half of the squash into thick slices, about ¾-inch thick. Then cut each slice into fry shapes.
- Turn your air fryer to 375F and preheat for 3-5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, toss the squash fries with avocado oil, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F. Add the seasoned squash fries to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until golden brown and cooked through on the inside.
- Remove with tongs.
- Serve air fryer butternut squash fries with ketchup, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
