What is the difference between a Honeynut squash and a Butternut squash? Learn why you might want to consider the sweet Honeynut for your next recipe.
📋 What's New In This Post (9/10/25) - Added info about when they are in season and how to store them.
The Perfect Little Squash for Camping
In the fall of 2021, we were camping at a beautiful campground near the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. As I do every autumn, I fully embraced the season's ingredients: apples, pears, squash, and pumpkins. While shopping at one of my favorite supermarket chains, Wegmans, I spotted a charming basket of small-sized squash.
I was thrilled to see these little gems. When you're camping, space is limited, so finding a small squash felt like striking gold. I had a blast experimenting with different ways to cook them in our little air fryer.
Now I want to share what I've learned about this squash so that you can enjoy it to the fullest too.
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🍯 What is a Honeynut Squash?
Looking at the color of the Honeynut you might start thinking is this some kind of pumpkin? Alas it is not a pumpkin. The Honeynut is a small squash variety that is a cross between a Butternut and a Buttercup squash. It was originally bred in the 1980s but took another 20 years before it was given mainstream attention.
Here is a great piece to read on the History of the Honeynut Squash.
🙋 How is It Different?
There are several things that make this squash different than a Butternut
- It's much smaller in size
- Has less water weight, thus stronger flavor
- More beta-carotene - just look at how orange it is inside
- Thinner skin - the skin is actually edible
- Shorter shelf life
I love that this squash is smaller. It's much easier to manage. I don't absolutely love squash where I want to eat it by the bowl full. This is especially a good squash if you are someone living by yourself and don't need a giant squash.
But what really makes this squash a winner is it's intense sweet flavor and that beautiful orange interior. It's one of the sweetest squashes. My wife feels like eating Butternut squash is like eating baby food, but doesn't feel that way with the Honeynut. The texture is creamier.
The downside to having thinner skin is often a shorter shelf life. Where a butternut can last for months, you really should eat a Honeynut within about a month of purchasing it. I still like to use them for couple weeks for fall decoration, but then I pull them to eat them.
📅 When are Honeynut Squash in Season?
I tend to find the squash around mid September. Typically I stop seeing them around Thanksgiving time. So you have a short couple month window to enjoy the squash. If you find them into December or January, the quality probably won't be as good.
🍴 How to Cook Them
Whatever Butternut can do, a Honeynut can do as well. You can substitute butternut squash for Honeynut squash or Honeynut squash for Butternut squash.
- You can cut it into cubes and sauté it up until brown.
- You can roast them in the oven. You can just cut them in half and put them on a sheet pan. Since they are smaller they cook a lot quicker. If you are feeding a larger group, just cook several of them, they will still cook faster.
- Instead of the oven you can use the air fryer. See my recipe for Air Fryer Honeynut Squash.
- You can use them to make soups. I once included a pureed one in a batch of Beef & Barley soup to add some sweetness and flavor.
- Also don't out the seeds. You can save those for roasting, they are delicious as are many other types of squash seeds. Check out my Ultimate Guide for Roasting Squash Seeds.
🍌 How to Tell if Ripe
Sometimes you will find Honeynut squash that still has some green on the skin. These ones aren't as ripe as ones that are all brown. I might suggest waiting for them to turn all brown before cooking them. Don't put them in the fridge, just leave them out.
📦 How to Store
As I mentioned above, I like to use the squash I bring home from the store as part of my fall décor until I'm ready to eat them. Is that the best way to store them for longevity? Probably not. They actually do best in a dark, cool place, like a pantry or cellar. When I use them for décor, I make sure not to put them in a window or near a furnace vent - anywhere that's too warm or sunny.
🛒 Where to Buy
Here are some grocery stores I know that have carried them. You also can look at your local farmer's market. They are easier to find in the eastern part of the country. You can find both conventional and organic Honeynut.
- Albertsons
- Baldor Food
- Bristol Farms
- Central Market
- Costco
- Giant Food
- Fresh Direct
- Safeway
- Stop & Shop
- Trader Joe's
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods
Many seed companies sell the seeds, so you can grow them yourself. I wouldn't just grow the seeds of a squash you buy as it may not be true to type. Squash can easily cross pollinate to produce a squash that is a new variety. That's why we have so many squash to choose from!
➕ More Posts
Here are some other squash related posts you will enjoy reading.
- Butternut vs. Acorn Squash
- What to Do with Delicata Squash
- When is Spaghetti Squash Season
- What's a Tiger Stripe Pumpkin
Have you tried the Honeynut Squash before? What do you think of it? Do you prefer it like I do to the Butternut? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
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