Learn how to cook a Honeynut squash in the air fryer - two ways! It's the perfect little squash that will fit in your air fryer as halves or as "fries". It's a great side dish for a weekday night where you don't have much time. It can be made with simple ingredients or jazzed up to your heart's content.
Any veggie I can throw into the air fryer I am totally going to do it.
Broccoli. You got it!
Cauliflower. Always!
Snap peas. Delicious.
Squash? Well technically a fruit, it gets the air fryer treatment as well. Let me share with you what type of squash that does great in the air fryer - the Honeynut. This small squash may look like a butternut, but it has more flavor and sweetness that comes out even more when you air fry it.
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🛒 Ingredients
You can keep it very simple and just do the squash with some kosher salt.
If you want to add some different seasonings, here are some top suggestions:
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Ground cinnamon
- Freshly ground nutmeg
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil
- Brown sugar
- Maple syrup (try Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup)
- Cayenne pepper or chili powder
- Fresh herbs like Rosemary
For air frying the squash, I like to drizzle a little olive oil on top. It will help promote browning as well as keep the squash from drying out while cooking.
Check out our list of grocery stores to look for Honeynut squash in. You also can find them at many farmers markets.
📋 Instructions
There are two ways in which you can air fry this squash - either in halves or in slices.
For either method I cook at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the browned on the outside and a fork can easily be poked through the squash.
Start by slicing the squash in half with the sharpest knife you got. Since these squash have a thin, edible skin they are a lot easier to cut open than a butternut.
Remove the seeds. I like doing this with a wide ice cream scoop. Don't throw them out, more on that in a moment.
Place your squash with the cut side up into the basket of your air fryer. If you can fit both halves go ahead and do both at the same time.
Cook as instructed at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. I like to check around 10 minutes to see how it's progressing. It may take longer in your air fryer. I find that models that are bigger are also often slower. Be prepared for up to 20 minutes your first time cooking one.
You are just waiting for that squash to be cooked through so a fork can go through it and have it be browned, which equals flavor.
If you want to go more crispy, you can cut the squash into thin pieces. Don't worry about peeling it, you can just eat the skin. I cook them just as long as the halves so they get super crispy. A great alternative to a French fry.
It can be hard to get the squash pieces even. And I admit I don't have the best knife skills. I will often work in batches, so if I have larger or smaller pieces I cook them together. Since the squash is bigger at the bottom you often end up with different sized or shaped slices.
🔥 Cook the Seeds
Those seeds I told you not to throw out earlier, are ready to get their moment in the air fryer. These squashes don't have a ton of seeds, only enough for a snack for one, but they are so good it's worth the effort. My daughter adores them.
To air fry the seeds:
- Cook them for 5 minutes at 350 degrees. They will start to darkened but are not crispy all the way through.
- Reduce the temperature to 320 degrees and cook for 10-15 minutes until crispy all the way through.
If you are use to cooking pumpkin seeds, the squash seeds are a lot smaller, so they cook quicker.
🧊 How to Store Leftovers
If you don't eat it all, you can store leftovers in the fridge for 3 days in an airtight container. To reheat the leftovers I like to use the air fryer again, especially if you want the squash to stay crisp. Just heat up your leftovers for a couple minutes at 375 degrees until warmed through.
➕ More Recipes
Want some more ideas for what to make in your air fryer. Try these out.
Air Fryer Honeynut Squash Halves or Slices
Ingredients
- 1 Honeynut squash
- kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Either cut the squash into 2 halves or cut into thin slices. If you are doing slices try to get them as evenly as you can, knowing that you can work in batches if you have smaller and bigger slices.
- Set the squash into the basket of your air fryer with the cut side up. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and any other seasonings you like.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until browned and the flesh is easily pierced by a fork.
- Enjoy right away.
- If making halves you can save them to use in recipes like soup.
Notes
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Ground cinnamon
- Freshly ground nutmeg
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Cayenne pepper
- Rosemary
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