Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe (with Bacon) | What Great Grandma Ate (2024)

Last Updated on by Jean Choi 2 Comments

30

EF

NF

P

W3

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Slightly sweet and savory Air Fryer Butternut Squash cooked in bacon fat. Super simple ingredients and only 20 minutes of cooking time. The most delicious Thanksgiving side dish!

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe(with Bacon) | What Great Grandma Ate (1)

What Makes This Recipe Great

I’m always looking for fun new ways to jazz up my holiday side dish game, and this year, I have the perfect recipe! Enter Air Fryer Butternut Squash with Bacon! This amazing side dish combines sweet and savory flavors in less than 20 minutes. All you need are simple ingredients and an air fryer! Minimal prep time, minimal cleanup– the best!

No additional oil is needed, the squash and bacon are cooked together for 5 minutes so the bacon can render some fat. You then stir it all together with spices like garlic and thyme to finish cooking until the squash is golden and caramelized. Voila! The perfect side dish.

This easy air fryer recipe isn’t alone either– if you’re looking for more ways to utilize air frying this holiday season, try my Air Fryer Roasted Tomatoes, these Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes, and these Air Fryer Biscuits!

Watch a Short Video of This Recipe

Ingredient Notes

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe(with Bacon) | What Great Grandma Ate (2)
  • Thick-cut Bacon: Use sugar- and nitrate-free bacon and omit maple syrup to make this Whole30-friendly. Because we’re using bacon grease, there’s no additional avocado oil or olive oil necessary!
  • Butternut squash: You can purchase peeled and pre-cut butternut squash or buy a whole butternut squash, peel, and cut it yourself into ½ to 1-inch cubes.
  • Fresh thyme leaves
  • Sea salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Maple syrup
  • Garlic cloves

Step-by-Step Instructions

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe(with Bacon) | What Great Grandma Ate (3)
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F
  2. Line the air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper, then add the butternut squash cubes and bacon in a single layer. Stir together.
  3. Cook for 5 minutes so the bacon releases some fat, then add thyme, salt, and pepper. Shake and toss the mixture together to coat in the fat.
  4. Cook butternut squash for another 5 minutes, then remove from the air fryer.
  5. Stir in maple syrup and garlic, then cook for another 5-10 minutes until fork tender and crispy on the edges. Serve warm.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe(with Bacon) | What Great Grandma Ate (4)

Expert Tips

  • Use a vegetable peeler and sharp knife to cut the butternut squash, if not using a pre-cut version.
  • Feel free to add additional salt and pepper to taste– even a sprinkle of cinnamon or fresh herbs if desired.

Serving Tips

Serve warm with your favorite main dish. This recipe goes so well with any savory protein! Try it with salmon, chicken breasts, turkey, and more!

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Reheat in the air fryer or microwave.

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe(with Bacon) | What Great Grandma Ate (5)

More Fall-Themed Recipes

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Simple Sweet Potato Cornbread

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Soup

Turmeric Ginger Smoothie Bowls

Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

If you make this recipe, please leave me a star rating and comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Follow me on Instagram for even more delicious recipes!

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe(with Bacon) | What Great Grandma Ate (6)

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe(with Bacon)

Slightly sweet and savory Air Fryer Butternut Squash cooked in bacon fat. Super simple ingredients and only 20 minutes of cooking time. The most delicious Thanksgiving side dish!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 212kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups butternut squash peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 4 oz thick-cut bacon chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 3 garlic cloves minced

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F

  • Line the air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper, then add the butternut squash and bacon. Stir together.

  • Cook for 5 minutes so the bacon releases some fat, then and add thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss the mixture together to coat in the fat.

  • Cook for another 5 minutes, then remove from the air fryer.

  • Stir in maple syrup and garlic, then cook for another 5-10 minutes until tender and crispy on the edges. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe(with Bacon)

Amount Per Serving (1 serving – makes 4)

Calories 212Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Trans Fat 0.04g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 19mg6%

Sodium 485mg21%

Potassium 585mg17%

Carbohydrates 24g8%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 14917IU298%

Vitamin C 31mg38%

Calcium 86mg9%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips

  • Use a vegetable peeler and sharp knife to cut the butternut squash, if not using a pre-cut version.
  • Feel free to add additional salt and pepper to taste– even a sprinkle of cinnamon or fresh herbs if desired.

Serving Tips

Serve warm with your favorite main dish. This recipe goes so well with any savory protein! Try it with salmon, chicken breasts, turkey, and more!

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Reheat in the air fryer or microwave.

What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsem*nt, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe (with Bacon) | What Great Grandma Ate (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

Is squash good in the air fryer? ›

Butternut squash gets tender with slightly crispy edges when it's cooked in the air fryer. The simple seasonings here complement the subtle sweetness from the squash. Serve this quick and easy side dish with just about anything, from roast chicken to pork.

How to cook butternut squash Martha Stewart? ›

Halve butternut squash lengthwise; scoop out seeds. Place cut sides up in a roasting pan (to help it sit level, slice a thin strip from skin sides). Fill each cavity with butter and pure maple syrup; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Roast until fork-tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Should butternut squash be peeled before roasting? ›

Learn how to roast butternut squash the EASY WAY without any prep work. No pre-peeling, chopping or deseeding (yes really!). Just whole-roast it in the oven until soft and tender.

How does Jamie Oliver cook butternut squash? ›

Method. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Wash and dry the whole squash, then place on a baking tray. Pierce once or twice with the tip of a sharp knife, then bake in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until golden and very soft.

How to cook butternut squash Paula Deen? ›

directions
  1. In a medium saucepan combine squash, onions, carrots,broth, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
  2. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer? ›

Take a gander of this list of top foods that should never make their way into your air fryer.
  • Wet Batters. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

Why are my vegetables not crispy from the air fryer? ›

If these pieces are too large, they won't cook through by the time the zucchini and peppers are tender. Don't crowd the air fryer basket. The #1 rule of air frying! In order for the vegetables to become caramelized and crisp, the hot air must be able to contact them on all sides.

What is the secret to cooking in air fryer? ›

Cook food in a single layer, in batches

The air fryer is all about — well — air. Meaning, you need to allow for good airflow to create all the browning and crisping the appliance was designed for. As such, you don't want to crowd the food in the basket too much, leaving space for the air to circulate.

Do you cook butternut squash cut side up or down? ›

After your squash is cut in half, scoop and discard the seeds, then roast the butternut squash with the skin on, until fork tender. You can roast the butternut squash cut side down or cut side up, you will get a more caramelized squash when roasted cut side down.

How to hack butternut squash? ›

Microwaving the squash will make it much easier to peel. Simply slice off the top and bottom, poke the squash all over with a fork and microwave it on high for about 3 minutes. When it's cool enough to handle, peel the squash. The softened flesh will make peeling (and slicing) way easier.

Can dogs have butternut squash? ›

Generally, butternut squash is safe to feed to most pooches, unless your vet has advised otherwise. As a guide, we would recommend feeding small dogs no more than 1 or 2 teaspoons of butternut squash, whilst bigger dogs can eat up to 3 or 4 tablespoons of butternut squash.

How many butternut squash per person? ›

You will need around a pound of butternut squash per person. It is rather heavy, and you will trim off the skin, seeds, and stem. So even though it seems like a lot, it will all work out.

Can dogs eat squash? ›

If you're looking for a tasty, low-calorie addition to your dog's diet, you're in luck: Dogs can eat squash safely. In fact, this garden staple has many potential benefits when prepared correctly and given in moderation.

Should you wash butternut squash before cooking? ›

Then wash winter squash before preparing and eating. Try these 7 Tips for Cleaning Fruits, Vegetables or these steps for washing winter squash: rinse with plain running water while scrubbing the outside with a clean brush, then dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 5683

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.