These air fryer carrots and butternut squash are the ultimate quick and healthy side dish — sweet, golden, and tender on the inside with lightly crisp edges. Perfectly seasoned and roasted in minutes, they’re a simple yet delicious way to add colour and nutrition to any meal. Whether you’re pairing them with a Sunday roast, festive dinner, grilled chicken, or a hearty veggie main, the air fryer makes it all effortless!
Using an air fryer has a few benefits in that it gives the same roasted flavour with less oil compared to roasting in the oven and the speed and ease is great, especially if you're a busy cook.
As well as serving the carrots and squash as a side dish, it's also delicious tossed through grain bowls with quinoa or couscous, and leftovers can be used in soups or salads. Alternatively, serve as a snack with houmous or a yogurt dressing.
Tips
- Optional variations:
- Instead of dried thyme, try paprika or cumin.
- For a sweet version, drizzle the veg with honey or maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon.
- For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper or chilli flakes.
- Toss with a little balsamic glaze or harissa before serving for extra punch.
- Add chopped herbs like parsley, rosemary or thyme after cooking, for freshness.
- Toss in honey, maple syrup or brown sugar for caramelised sweetness.
- Sprinkle with garlic powder and parmesan just before serving.
- For an Asian twist, toss with sesame oil and soy sauce before cooking.
- This air fryer carrots and butternut squash recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less or more people. If doubling up, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket – cook in batches if needed, to ensure even crisping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes - preheating for a few minutes helps the veg cook evenly and crisp up faster.
Yes - but they may not caramelise as well. Add 3 to 5 minutes to the cooking time and shake more frequently.
Olive oil, avocado oil or vegetable oil all work well as they handle high heat.
Yes - reheat in the air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes at 180C to restore crispness.
Yes - try adding parsnips, sweet potatoes or red onions — just keep the pieces evenly sized.
Don’t skip the oil, and don’t overcook. You can also drizzle a bit of honey or butter after air frying for extra moisture.
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HOW TO MAKE THESE AIR FRYER CARROTS AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Ingredients
- 200g carrots, peeled and cut into 3cm chunks
- 200g butternut squash, peeled and cut into 3cm chunks
- 0.5 tbsp olive oil
- 0.25 tsp dried thyme
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 200C.
- Toss the carrots and butternut squash in a bowl with the oil, thyme, salt, pepper. Mix well to coat.
- Transfer the seasoned vegetables to the preheated air fryer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes at 200C, until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Make sure to shake them halfway through cooking.
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Air Fryer Carrots and Butternut Squash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 200 g (7.1 oz) carrots peeled and cut into 3cm chunks
- 200 g (7.1 oz) butternut squash peeled and cut into 3cm chunks
- 0.5 tbsp olive oil
- 0.25 tsp dried thyme
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 200C.
- Toss the carrots and butternut squash in a bowl with the oil, thyme, salt, pepper. Mix well to coat.
- Transfer the seasoned vegetables to the preheated air fryer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes at 200C, until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Make sure to shake them halfway through cooking.
Notes
- Optional variations:
- Instead of dried thyme, try paprika or cumin.
- For a sweet version, drizzle the veg with honey or maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon.
- For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper or chilli flakes.
- Toss with a little balsamic glaze or harissa before serving for extra punch.
- Add chopped herbs like parsley, rosemary or thyme after cooking, for freshness.
- Toss in honey, maple syrup or brown sugar for caramelised sweetness.
- Sprinkle with garlic powder and parmesan just before serving.
- For an Asian twist, toss with sesame oil and soy sauce before cooking.
- This air fryer carrots and butternut squash recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less or more people. If doubling up, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket – cook in batches if needed, to ensure even crisping.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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