Honeynut Squash vs Butternut Squash

What is the difference between a Honeynut squash and a Butternut squash? Learn why you might want to consider the Honeynut for your next recipe.

A single small Honeynut squash sitting on a wood picnic table.

Somewhere along the way the Butternut squash became one of the two most popular squash varieties along with the acorn.

But that doesn't mean that it is necessarily the best squash. Or that you shouldn't try some others.

Today I want to introduce you to a squash that kind of looks like a butternut squash but is different in many ways. Ladies and gentleman, the Honeynut Squash.

Jump to:

🍯 What is a Honeynut Squash?
🙋 How is It Different?
🍴 How to Cook Them
🛒 Where to Buy
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A Honeynut squash that has been cut in half. It's sitting on a cutting board with the seeds still inside.

🍯 What is a Honeynut Squash?

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 main stream attention.

Here is a great piece to read on the History of the Honeynut Squash.

A farmers market display of Buttercup, Butternut, and Spagehtti squashes.

🙋 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. 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. Speaking of eating them....

A browned half of a Honeynut squash sitting on a wood picnic table.

🍴 How to Cook Them

Whatever Butternut can do, a Honeynut can do as well.

You can cut it into cubes and sauté it up until brown. But the best way I think is roasting. You can just cut them in half and roast them in a hot oven. Since they are smaller they cook a lot quicker. If you are feeding a larger group, just cook several of them, they will stick cook faster.

Use it to make soups. I included one I pureed up into a batch of Beef & Barely soup to add some sweetness and flavor.

Don't just toss the seeds. You can save those for roasting, they are delicious.

RECIPE - Air Fryer Honeynut Squash

Today's Best Flavor sign attached to a basket of Honeynut squash at a Wegmans store.

🛒 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!