Tender Air Fryer Butternut Squash Cubes, Smoky and Sweet (Vegan)

Using a fork to take some pieces of air fried butternut squash.

Tender Air Fryer Butternut Squash Cubes, Smoky and Sweet (Vegan)

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegan

Keyword: air fryer butternut squash

Prep Time: 7

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 27

Servings:

Calories: 65kcal

Author: Cindy Rainey

Discover the tender seasonal taste of Air Fryer Butternut squash cubes, a delightful autumn indulgence. Our cubes of butternut squash kissed with vegan butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and ground cinnamon, create a savory-sweet symphony of flavors. It's the perfect seasonal side dish in every bite!

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Equipment

air fryer
air fryer basket liner

Ingredients

4 cups Butternut Squash cubed, see notes
2 Tablespoons vegan butter melted
1 Tablespoon soy sauce low sodium
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon see notes

Instructions

If you didn't purchase your butternut squash already peeled and cubed, do so now. Cut into cubes no larger than one-inch cubes. You will need to add more time to the prep time listed above.
Melt the vegan butter in the microwave (or use any other method) before adding the other ingredients.
Whisk the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, maple syrup, salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl along with the melted butter. Add the cubed butternut squash. Toss until evenly coated. (If the butternut squash is cold going into the ingredients, the butter will harden into small bits. That's fine because as soon as you put the ingredients in the air fryer, the butter will melt again. You will be stirring every five minutes so all pieces will be well covered.
2 Tablespoons vegan butter, 1 Tablespoon soy sauce, 2 Tablespoons maple syrup, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
Following your manufacturer's directions, preheat the air fryer to 375℉
I strongly recommend using an air fryer basket liner for this recipe because of the added liquids. It's going to be messy and it's best if the liquids stay on the butternut squash cubes rather than fall through the basket to the bottom. If your manufacturer's directions say to with to add the liner until preheated, then wait to add the liner until the preheating has been accomplished. Or it might burn. (Preheating is sometimes very hot!)
Add the coated butternut squash cubes to the air fryer basket with liner. Air fry at 375℉ for 20 minutes, removing the basket to stir and turn the butternut squash cubes every 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Notes

The seven minute prep time assumes you have purchased your butternut squash already peeled and cubed. Add extra time if you need to peel and cube your own.

I prefer to purchase my butternut squash already peeled and cubed. A 20-ounce package will yield four cups. If you choose to peel and cube your own butternut squash then you will need a large squash. Cube into pieces no larger than one-inch cube. Follow this tutorial if you are not familiar with how to peel and cube a butternut squash.

This recipe includes only one-eight teaspoon of cinnamon powder. The cinnamon is meant to give only an underlayer of flavor and won't be obvious in the finished recipe. During the holidays I usually add more - from one-half a teaspoon to a full teaspoon depending on my "holiday spirit"!

Oven option: It doesn't work to cook this recipe on a sheet pan in the oven. The maple syrup burns at the high temperatures necessary to achieve the same results you would in an air fryer. HOWEVER, you can cook the butternut squash in a small casserole dish covered with foil for a total of one hour and fifteen minutes at 375°F. After the first 30 minutes remove the foil and stir around, spooning the syrup onto the top of the squash cubes. Leave the foil off but every fifteen minutes, baste the squash in the syrup until it is tender and done.

All air fryers cook a little bit differently. The first time you make this recipe check often after the halfway point to make sure your squash pieces aren't burning. It's okay if they are a little darkened on the edges. The cooked pieces should be caramelized and fork-tender.

An air fryer basket liner is a MUST for this recipe. Because of the added liquids, it can get a little messy AND you don't want any of that tasty liquid falling through the holes! Make sure you get the right liners for your air fryer. basket. It's not a one-size-fits-all!

The serving size is six two-thirds-cup servings. Adjust the nutrition information if your servings are a different size.

Nutrition