Are you looking for a simple and perfect side dish to add to your meal rotation? Try this air-fryer frozen butternut squash recipe! With just a few simple ingredients and your air fryer basket, you can have fork-tender, perfectly seasoned butternut squash in no time. In this post, I will show you how to use an air fryer to cook frozen butternut squash. Let's dive in!
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Ingredients
- Frozen butternut squash cubes: These are the main ingredients of the dish. When cooked, they provide a sweet and nutty flavor with a tender texture.
- Olive oil: You may also use avocado oil.
- Garlic powder: I prefer the texture of the garlic powder in this recipe over the texture of the minced garlic. It is convenient and easy to mix into the frozen squash.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Roasted sesame seeds: for garnish, optional.
- Chopped green onions: for garnish, optional.
Step-by-step directions
Preparation: The whole cooking process is pretty straightforward. If you are using whole butternut squash, peel and cube it into 1-inch cubes. If using pre-cut frozen butternut squash, you can skip this step.
Coat with oil: In a large bowl, toss the pre-cut butternut squash cubes with olive oil until evenly coated. This will help them crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
Seasoning: Sprinkle the squash cubes with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Arranging in the air fryer: Place the seasoned squash cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
Air-frying: Set the air fryer to 400 degrees F and cook the butternut squash for 15 minutes, shaking the basket to ensure even cooking. Then, cook for an additional 5 minutes until the squash is golden brown and fork tender. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your squash cubes and the power of your air fryer.
Serve and enjoy!
Additional tips for the best results
- For extra flavor variations, try adding pumpkin pie spice or a dash of coconut sugar for a slightly different taste. If desired, you can also add a sprinkle of brown sugar for extra caramelization.
- If you prefer less oil, you can use a little olive oil spray instead of tossing the squash cubes in oil.
- You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. Simply reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes for a quick and easy side dish.
Serving suggestions
Here are some serving suggestions for air fryer frozen butternut squash:
- Side dish: Serve your air-fried butternut squash as a delicious side dish alongside roasted chicken breasts, on top of a salad, or as a tasty addition to any meal.
- Grain bowl ingredient: Mix the air fried butternut squash into grain bowls for a nutritious and colorful meal. Combine it with cooked grains like quinoa or brown rice, along with other veggies and your favorite sauce or dressing.
Breakfast hash: You can mix this air fried butternut squash into a breakfast hash by sautéing it with onions, bell peppers, and diced potatoes. - Stir-fry addition: Add this air-fried butternut squash to stir-fries for added flavor and texture!
- Pizza topping: Sprinkle the air fried butternut squash on homemade or store-bought pizzas for a unique flavor.
Pasta dish: You can toss this air-fried butternut squash with cooked pasta, olive oil, garlic, spinach, and Parmesan cheese for a simple yet delicious meal.
Feel free to mix and match different flavor combinations to suit your taste preferences!
Final thoughts
Using this convenient air fryer, you can quickly make a crispy and delicious butternut squash dish. Grab your air fryer and a bag of frozen butternut squash, and start making this great side dish today. Happy air frying!
Air Fryer Frozen Butternut Squash: Quick And Easy
Ingredients
- 4 cups frozen butternut squash cubes
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- roasted sesame seeds for garnish, optional
- chopped green onions for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preparation: The whole cooking process is pretty straightforward. If you are using whole butternut squash, peel and cube it into 1-inch cubes. If using pre-cut frozen butternut squash, you can skip this step.
- Coat with oil: In a large bowl, toss the pre-cut butternut squash cubes with olive oil until evenly coated. This will help them crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
- Seasoning: Sprinkle the squash cubes with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Arranging in the air fryer: Place the seasoned squash cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Air-frying: Set the air fryer to 400 degrees F and cook the butternut squash for 15 minutes, shaking the basket to ensure even cooking. Then, cook for an additional 5 minutes until the squash is golden brown and fork tender. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your squash cubes and the power of your air fryer.
- Serve and enjoy!
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