Prepare to be wowed by the simple spicy flavors of our 6 ingredient Rosemary Air Fryer Butternut Squash Steaks – your new autumn obsession. Say goodbye to the hassle of peeling and chopping sweet winter squash; this side dish is ready in just 30 minutes. By air frying instead of baking, you'll even free up oven space for your succulent Thanksgiving turkey. (Oven directions included)
Get ready to fall in love with this delightful roasted side dish, where:
- Natural sweetness meets nuttiness.
- Aromatic rosemary takes center stage.
- A hint of cayenne pepper adds a subtle kick.
- Smoky paprika finish ties it all together.
Not only are these butternut squash steaks vegan, gluten-free, whole30 and paleo friendly, but are a delicious addition to creamy roasted butternut and carrot soup.
Jump to:
- What is Winter Squash?
- What Does Butternut Squash Taste Like?
- Shape and Color
- How to Choose the Best Butternut Squash
- Simple Ingredients
- How to Cut Butternut Squash Steaks?
- Seasoning and Air Frying
- Recipe Tips
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Serve
- How to Store?
- Types of Winter Squashes
- Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
- Autumn Meal Ideas
- Rosemary Air Fryer Butternut Squash Steaks
What is Winter Squash?
Behold the beloved Winter squash. Because they have seeds and develop from a flower, they fall in the fruit category! The humble butternut squash is a delicious example of winter squash that is typically harvested in the fall. They come in all shapes and sizes from round to oblong and a vast array of colors. The flavors of different winter squash types can vary widely, offering super sweetness, buttery richness, nuttiness, savory notes, and more.
Butternut squash is a particularly excellent choice for air frying, thanks to its shape, size, and flavor profile. Additionally, its thicker skin and rind contribute to a longer shelf life compared to summer squash.
What Does Butternut Squash Taste Like?
Have you ever savored the flavor of butternut squash? It boasts a naturally sweet and nutty taste. In addition, you are going to love the velvety and creamy texture when it's roasted, incorporated into pumpkin risotto, or layered in our vegetarian lasagna. Butternut squash shines in recipes where you desire a delightful combination of mild sweetness and savory goodness."
Shape and Color
Butternut squash has a rather amusing shape, resembling a long, pear-like figure. Usually, it features a rounded bottom and an elongated neck. An average fully grown butternut squash measures between 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) in length and approximately 3 to 5 inches at its widest point.
When selecting butternut squash for air frying, opt for a smaller size that can fit in the air fryer in a single batch. Smaller squashes are often sweeter and more manageable for this cooking method.
How to Choose the Best Butternut Squash
You could wait for a sweet little grandma to venture into the produce section and have her pick out the perfect squash for you. But if you are low on time, here are some quick tips on how to select the best butternut squash:
Inspect the Skin: Look for butternut squash with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid squash with cuts, bruises, or soft spots, as they may indicate over ripeness or damage. You will know if it has gone bad if you can see mold.
Check for Firmness: A ripe butternut squash should feel firm and heavy for its size. Gently press your fingernail against the skin; it should not give in easily. If it feels soft or spongy, it may be overripe.
Examine the Color: Choose a squash with a consistent, matte beige or tan color. While some variations in color are normal, avoid squash with greenish or moldy patches.
Inspect the Stem: The stem at the top of the squash should be dry and firmly attached. A green or moist stem may indicate that the squash is not fully ripe.
Size Matters: Select a size that suits your cooking technique.
Look for a Uniform Shape: A butternut squash with a consistent shape, meaning a well-defined neck and bulbous end, is easier to work with when preparing it.
Consider the Weight: Pick up the squash and feel its weight. It should feel heavy for its size, indicating that it's dense and has a good amount of flesh inside.
Seasonal Timing: Butternut squash is typically in season during the fall and early winter months. Buying during this time can often result in the best flavor and quality.
Simple Ingredients
- Butternut Squash – Opt for a smaller size to fit perfectly in the air fryer. Alternatively, you can use acorn, kabocha, or other sweet winter squash varieties for equally delightful results.
- Olive Oil – Use olive oil or your preferred light-flavored oil to prevent sticking in the air fryer basket and to achieve that beautifully bronzed exterior.
- Rosemary – We've incorporated 3 small sprigs of fresh rosemary as the star aromatic ingredient. If needed, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary.
- Paprika – Particularly, smoked paprika imparts a bold, woodsy flavor to the dish.
- Garlic Powder or Garlic Salt – Feel free to use what you have on hand for a touch of savory goodness. Fresh cracked pepper is also a tasty addition.
- Cayenne Pepper – Add just a dash for a subtle kick of heat. This ingredient is optional. If you're a fan of spicy flavors, consider drizzling your roasted air-fried squash with a bit of garlic chili oil.
How to Cut Butternut Squash Steaks?
Ready for some fantastic news? Our time-saving air frying recipe eliminates the need for peeling or dicing butternut squash. After air frying, the peel slips off easily. You can technically eat the peel but it's a bit tougher than kabocha skin. Therefore, most of us prefer to remove it before eating.
Less peeling, cutting, and chopping mean fewer opportunities for kitchen accidents. We're quite fond of all ten of our fingers, and we're sure you are too!
Here are some tips to ensure safe and efficient cutting:
- Sharpen your chef's knife or butcher’s knife. Did you know that dull knives are more likely to cause accidents? The concept is simple: more pressure is needed with a dull knife, increasing the risk of slipping and cutting yourself. Keep your knives sharp for safety.
- Keep your cutting board steady and secure on the kitchen counter. If it tends to move, place a lightly damp cloth underneath to provide traction.
- If you'd like, microwave the whole butternut squash for 2 minutes before cutting. While not mandatory, it can make the cutting process easier.
- Leave the skin on the butternut squash. Begin at the thinner neck side and slice the squash into approximately 1 to 1.5-inch (2.5 to 3.8 cm) steaks.
- When you reach the bulbous section of the butternut squash, cut it in half and remove the seeds. You can save these seeds to make roasted pumpkin seeds.
- Continue cutting the remaining squash into slices.
Seasoning and Air Frying
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Lightly brush each side of the butternut squash steak with olive oil.
- Sprinkle on paprika, garlic salt, pepper, rosemary, and a touch of cayenne pepper for a hint of heat. If you're planning for a gathering, you can refrigerate it at this stage for up to a week.
- Arrange the seasoned squash in your air fryer basket or tray and air fry for about 25-30 minutes or until it's fork tender. Start checking them at the 20 minute mark for doneness.
Recipe Tips
- Opt for a smaller squash. If it's too large, you can either cut it into smaller wedges or cook it in batches.
- Consider microwaving the whole butternut squash for 2 minutes before slicing. It's not mandatory but can make slicing easier.
- Make sure to season both sides of the squash generously.
- Allow a bit of space between the slices in the air fryer to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. Avoid overlapping!
- The cooking time for air frying butternut squash depends on the thickness of your steaks. Thinner slices require less time, while thicker ones need more.
- Keep in mind that cooking times may also vary depending on the type or brand of air fryer you use. We used a Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven (32QT/32L) for this recipe.
Substitutions and Variations
- Get creative with your spice and herb choices.
- Enhance the flavor with a drizzle of curry sauce on top of the roasted butternut squash.
- For extra sweetness, consider adding a sprinkle of brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup at the end of the cooking process to avoid mess and prevent overbrowning.
How to Serve
- Enjoy these Rosemary Air Fryer Butternut Squash Steaks piping hot as a delectable side dish. They're also perfect for advance preparation—simply reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes before serving to maintain their delightful crispiness. Consider adding a sprig of fresh rosemary as a garnish for an elegant touch.
- Get adventurous and try them in butternut squash tacos. It's a delightful combination of slight sweetness and a hint of heat – a true yum!
- Elevate your quinoa harvest salad or autumn salad by adding these squash steaks.
- Air fryer butternut squash make a fabulous side dish for Thanksgiving or any autumn meal.
- They're a spectacular addition to curries and soups or can serve as an alternative to kabocha in our vegan truffle pasta recipe.
- Don't forget about those sweet winter squash seeds. Try our air fryer pumpkin seed recipe for a deliciously crunchy topping on soups, salads, or simply as a late-night healthy keto snack.
How to Store?
Cooked butternut squash can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days or frozen for as long as 3 months. When reheating, you have a couple of options: microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until it's toasty warm or air fry at 400°F or bake at 350°F until it reaches that delightful, toasty warmth.
Types of Winter Squashes
Winter squash can be divided into 2 categories.
- Savory winter squash is lightly naturally sweet but also delicious in savory recipes. Examples include butternut, acorn, spaghetti, Hubbard and kabocha. A kabocha or acorn squash has a similar taste profile to butternut squash. These can be used as an exchange in this air fryer recipe.
- Sweet winter squash is much sweeter and many of these are used for desserts like our pumpkin empanadas. Some examples include sugar pumpkin, delicata and golden nugget squash. You may also use these in this air fryer recipe, if you prefer a sweeter side dish.
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Remember that butternut squash can be stored for several weeks in a cool, dry place, so you can purchase it in advance if needed. Properly chosen and stored butternut squash can provide a delicious and versatile ingredient for your culinary creations.
To achieve tender, crispy roasted butternut squash steaks that are 1.5 inches thick, with the skin still on, you'll need approximately 25 to30 minutes of air frying at 400°F (204°C).
Butternut squash pairs beautifully with roasted meats. Consider serving it alongside whole roasted chicken, turkey, pork chops, or even a hearty beef roast. The sweet and savory flavors of the squash complement the richness of the meat. For a vegan dinner option, savor the delightful combination of sweet and spicy with butternut squash tacos. You'll love it!
Autumn Meal Ideas
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Rosemary Air Fryer Butternut Squash Steaks
Equipment
- air fryer We used a Cosori toaster oven style air fryer (32 quart sized)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds butternut squash unpeeled and sliced into 1 to 1.5 inch (2.5to 3.8 cm) steaks. Remove seeds and pulp.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 teaspoon paprika (We used a smokey paprika)
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt or to taste - if on a low salt diet, exchange with garlic powder.
- 2 to 3 sprigs rosemary
fresh minced or 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary - pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste for desired heat (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F ( 204 degrees C).
- To make the butternut squash easier to slice, you can microwave it whole on full power for 2 minutes. The step is optional but it does make it easier.
- Leave the skin on the butternut squash. Begin slicing at the thinner neck side and slice the squash into approximately 1 to 1.5-inch (2.5 to 3.8 cm) steaks. When you reach the bulbous section of the butternut squash, cut it in half and remove the seeds. Continue cutting the remaining squash into half moon slices.
- Lightly brush each side of the butternut squash steak with olive oil. Season with paprika, garlic salt, pepper, rosemary, and a touch of cayenne pepper for a hint of heat on both sides.
- Spray your air fryer tray with a little oil to prevent sticking. Lay out the cut and seasoned butternut squash in a flat layer. Do not overlap. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to make a second batch.)
- Air fry for about 25 to 30 minutes or until fork tender, turning the steaks halfway in the cooking process. Start checking for doneness at the 15 to 20 minute mark.
- Enjoy! (You can make this dish up to 3 days in advance and then just reheat to serve)
Video
Notes
- Choose a smaller squash. If it's too large, you can either cut it into smaller wedges or cook it in batches.
- Consider microwaving the whole butternut squash for 2 minutes before slicing. It's not mandatory but can make slicing easier.
- Make sure to season both sides of the squash generously.
- Allow a bit of space between the slices in the air fryer to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. Avoid overlapping!
- The cooking time for air frying butternut squash depends on the thickness of your steaks. Thinner slices require less time, while thicker ones need more.
- Keep in mind that cooking times may also vary depending on the type or brand of air fryer you use.
Michelle says
Such a delicious squash recipe that would be perfect for Thanksgiving. Love all those warming spices paired with rosemary.
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Michelle. Why does the turkey get all the glory - right? Personally, we are all about the sides like butternut squash and stuffing that make Thanksgiving memorable.
Raymund | angsarap.net says
These Rosemary Air Fryer Butternut Squash Steaks sound absolutely delicious! The blend of natural sweetness, nuttiness, rosemary, and a hint of cayenne pepper is making my mouth water. Plus, it's great to know that they're vegan, gluten-free, and suitable for various diets. Thanks for sharing this fantastic autumn recipe! 🍠🌿🍂
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Raymund, so glad you like this simple air fryer butternut squash recipe. Love a little heat with the sweet.
Ron says
We love butternut squash and luckily it's finally available here in Sweden. I love the concept of cooking it in the air fryer but alas we don't have one, so thanks for providing the oven method.
HWC Magazine says
Hi there Ron! So nice to hear from you and glad all is well in Sweden! The good ole oven method is great for those extra large butternut or winter squash too! Stay well and take care
Ron says
I picked up a large butternut squash at the market Saturday and plan to give this a go my next turn in the kitchen...
HWC Magazine says
Hi there Ron! Sounds like a great plan. We just made this exact recipe using little mini cute honey squash. They are super delicious air fried too.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Thanks for the tip about microwaving to make slicing easier, I'll definitely give that a try.
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Karen, we just made another batch today. Microwaving the butternut squash whole for just 3 minutes - really does make slicing it so much easier. Give it a try! Hope your weekend is going well.
Liz says
My air frying is gathering dust! Thanks for giving me a yummy excuse to break it out---adding butternut squash to my grocery list!!
HWC Magazine says
Break out the air fryer! You are going to love how butternut squash gets golden bronzed in the air fryer in less time than in the oven. Its a real time saver.
SUWANEE LENNON says
What a gorgeous recipe and photos! Saving this for this fall when we grab some pumpkins and squash from our local orchard. ❤️
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Suwanee! Our body craves comforting butternut squash and pumpkins in the fall- so nourishing and warming.
Hannah says
I love it! Such a perfect dish for Thanksgiving, since it's so simple, stress-free, and healthy. Great for balancing out an extra slice of pie for dessert. 😉
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Hannah! We like where your head is at! Save the calories on the air fryer butternut squash so you can have double desserts.
Valentina says
This is gorgeous! I can almost see the surface sizzling. I always love rosemary with winter squash, and what a great recipe with just a few ingredients to make something so lovely. 🙂 ~Valentina
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Valentina. Rosemary takes these simple air fryer butternut squash steaks to the next level. Take Care
Heidi | The Frugal Girls says
You've make this recipe so easy. Just 30 minutes and 6 ingredients... and your seasoning blend is absolutely fabulous!
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Heidi. Butternut squash steaks in the air fryer is a great side dish on those busy days. No fuss with easy seasonings you probably already have in your pantry.
Eha Carr says
Altho' summer winds are beginning to blow here Australians never stop using butternut pumpkin during the year. 'Tis part of our everyday diet. Lovely tasty recipe . . . as far as peeling the recalcitrant beastie goes Aussies also have decided that peeling it raw may just not be necessary . . .:) Good luck with your Thanksgiving preparations . . . we'll use your side without the holiday . . . keep safe . . .
HWC Magazine says
We completely agree! Peeling a butternut squash can be a risky event and we need all 10 fingers for Thanksgiving prep! (smiling). Sometimes we use a vegetable peeler but its just as easy to peel after it is cooked. Hope you are doing well. Have a super week ahead. Take Care