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Learn the quick and easy steps for how to cook frozen butternut squash in the air fryer in only 15 minutes! This simple recipe requires just a handful of ingredients, like olive oil and a few fragrant spices. The crisp and tender air fried cubes of sweet squash are perfect for a gluten-free veggie side dish, or to include in other delicious recipes like salads, grain bowls, and much more!
I always keep my freezer stocked with bags of frozen veggies! Because the produce is already peeled and chopped, a bag of frozen vegetables is super handy, easy, and fast to prepare. Today I’m showing you how to cook butternut squash from frozen in the air fryer – which, as we all know, is one of the most convenient and practically foolproof methods for cooking. Recipes don’t get much easier than this!
We start with golden cubes of squash and add only a bit of oil and few spices to highlight its naturally sweet flavor. In as little as 10 minutes the squash is cooked beautifully fork-tender and crispy on the outside. Not too firm, not mushy… Perfectly air fried squash really is that quick and easy!
Serve the tasty pieces of sweet and buttery squash heaven for a delicious starchy side dish that happens to be gluten-free. Or make the hearty cubes a part of your main dishes and include them in fresh salads, bowls with grains and/or beans, in burritos and tacos… The possibilities are endless! They are even great to make ahead and include as part of your weekly meal plan.
Recipe ingredients
Frozen butternut squash cubes. Already peeled and seeded, and ready to use! One 16 oz bag has approximately 4-5 servings.
Olive oil. High-heat oil that’s ideal for air frying. Choose a quality EVOO for the best taste and consistency.
Salt and pepper. Just a pinch of each spice highlights without overpowering the sweet flavor of butternut squash.
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Ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Together they create a spicy (not hot!) blend that tastes warm and inviting. Perfect to balance the squash’s sweetness!
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. And you should! Cooking cubes of butternut squash from frozen helps them get lightly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
Nope, toss the squash in the fryer straight from the freezer! (Well, after seasoning.) Thawing frozen veggies creates a lot of extra moisture, which makes it hard for them to get crispy.
Air frying frozen squash is one of my favorite cooking methods! It circulates heat at just the right temperature so food gets cooked evenly on all sides. Any excess oil drips into the basket, which helps the edges of the squash to get crispier vs baking on a sheet where oil can pool.
Plus, air frying is faster than oven baking. What’s not to love?!
When cooked properly butternut squash cubes are firm, yet tender and slightly soft. They definitely should not be mushy!
If your cubes come out squishy, the problem likely is an overcrowded basket, not enough oil, and/or not enough time in the air fryer.
Be sure to spread the seasoned frozen butternut squash pieces evenly in the basket so that they are not touching.
Fresh vegetables offer lots of essential vitamins and minerals. But the concentration of these vitamins and minerals starts to drop the longer produce sits out after being picked. Most fruits and veggies you get at the store have been on quite a journey… They are picked, processed, packaged, trucked to groceries, and shelved. All of which can take several days or even weeks.
Frozen veggies, on the other hand, are flash-frozen shortly after being picked at the peak of ripeness. This essentially “locks in” all of those nutrients.
What to do with leftovers
I like to store cooked butternut squash leftovers in the glass or plastic air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in the freezer safe plastic bag or container.
Reheat in the microwave or in the air fryer for couple minutes at 400 degrees. No not overcrowd the air fryer even when reheating.
Instant pot mashed butternut squash is another great recipe using this squash. Its not only fun to make in fall, but at any time of the year! Instant Pot butternut squash soup is also very comforting and filling on a cold evening.
Hope you will like this frozen butternut squash air fryer recipe a much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions.
Air fryer Frozen Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 1 bag of frozen butternut squash cubes about 16 oz
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- a pinch Ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon nutmeg
Instructions
- Turn air fryer to 400°F and let it warm for a few minutes.
- In a bowl, toss squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Spread the squash in the air fryer basket in one layer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Check if it’s tender and crispy. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve.