How To Roast Frozen Butternut Squash (Oven Recipe) (2024)

Roast frozen butternut squasheasily with this simple oven recipe. The roastedsquash cubescome out crispy,golden brown, and perfectly seasoned. Serve the caramelized cubes as adelicious side dishfor everyday or holiday dinners.

This recipe yieldsgolden brown, crispy butternut squash that is simply seasoned and irresistible. It starts like most roasted vegetable recipes, witholive oil, salt, andblack pepper. Utilizingfrozen squasheliminates lengthy prep time and added work.

Like thesecrispy roastedsweet potatoes, frozen butternutsquash cubesare roasted at ahigh temperatureto achieve a crispy outside and a soft, tender interior. Thissimple side dishis agreat optionfor busy weeknights but an equally delicious option for holiday meals.

Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

• Usingfrozen squashfor roasting eliminates the need for peeling or cutting, saving alot of timeand effort.
• Roastedfrozen butternut squashis an easy weeknight or festive occasion side dish everyone will love.
• Theroasting processcreates tender, caramelized squash.

Baking vs Roasting

• Baking Squash- Baking vegetables requires alower temperatureand longercooking time. When squash is baked, it softens and cooks throughout. The texture remains soft without caramelization because the squash still retains moisture.
• Roasting Squash- Roasting vegetables requires a high-temperature oven, usually between 400 to 450degrees f. When roasted, squash remains soft and creamy internally, but the exterior becomes crispy and caramelized.

Is it better to bake orroast butternutsquash?The answer to this question depends on personal preference and the texture you seek. That said, roasting butternut squash is the more common preparation process.

Ingredients

• Frozen ButternutSquashCubes-Frozen butternut squashcomes pre-cubed. Squash cube sizes will vary depending on the brand.
• Olive Oil- You need an oil that is safe for high-heat cooking.Olive oilis the prime choice for its flavor and availability. Other good options for roasting vegetables includeavocado oiland ghee.
• Kosher Salt- Roasting vegetables bring out all their natural flavors, so little seasoning is needed for great taste. Season the butternut squash simply withkosher salt.
• Black Pepper-Black pepperis optional but adds depth and a savory taste.

See therecipe cardfor the ingredient quantities.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425degrees F.
2. In alarge bowlor on abaking sheet, toss thefrozen butternutsquashcubesinolive oil, salt, andblack pepperto coat.
3. Arrange thesquash cubesin asingle layeron a large non-stick orparchment paper-linedsheet pan.
4. Roast, turning them halfway through, for 40-45 minutes until they are lightlygolden brownon the outside and soft on the inside. **Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the butternutsquash cubes.

CookingSquash Cubesin the Air Fryer

While roasting squash is thebest wayto cook it. You can achieve a similar cook using an air fryer. Air frying is an alternativecooking methodto achieve agolden brown, crispy exterior, and creamy interior.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400degrees F.
2. Toss thefrozen butternutsquashcubesinolive oiland seasonings.
3. Place thesquash cubesin theair fryer basketin asingle layer. Cook for 15 - 20 minutes, depending on the size of the squash, tossing the squash halfway through the cooking process.

**Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the butternutsquash cubes. Cook1-inch cubesfor approximately 20 minutes. Air fry 1-inch or smaller cubes for approximately 15 minutes.

Variations

• Maple Cinnamon: Omit theblack pepper. In addition to theolive oiland salt, toss the squash in 1 tablespoon of puremaple syrupand ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
• Garlic: Add ½ teaspoon ofgarlic powderalongside the salt and pepper.
• Rosemary: Add 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary when seasoning and oiling thesquash cubes.

What To Serve WithOven-Roasted ButternutSquash

Roastedfrozen butternut squashis theperfect side dishfor weeknight meals or holiday feasts.

• Pork: Squash is a delicious accompaniment to pork chops, pork tenderloin, or barbecued pulled pork.
• Chicken/Turkey: Serve roasted squash with cooked poultry. Try it withslow-cooker BBQ chicken thighs.
• Sandwiches/Burgers: Serve roasted squash as a healthier alternative to french fries or tater tots. Enjoy it with your favorite burger or sandwich, likecrockpot turkey meatball subs.
• Breakfast: Enjoy roasted squash instead of hashbrowns or breakfast potatoes with eggs and bacon.
• Holiday Dinners: Serve this delicious,easy side dishwith Thanksgiving dinner or any holiday feast.

Suggested Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Spatula

Storage

Store cooled, roasted butternut squash in anairtight containerin the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

To Reheat: Cook leftover squash in a 350degrees Foven (or air fryer) until heated through.

Easy Side DishRecipes

• Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
• Roasted Frozen Green Beans
• Frozen Asparagus in an Air Fryer
• Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Expert Tips

1. Do Not Thaw- Roast frozen vegetables straight from the freezer (from frozen); do not thaw them. As vegetables thaw, they release moisture.
2. High Heat- Roast vegetables at ahigh temperatureto achieve a caramelized, crispy exterior and soft interior.
3. Do Not Overcrowd- Place the butternut squash on thebaking sheetin aneven layerwithout overlap.
4. Cooking Time- Everyfrozen vegetablebrand is different. Theroasting timewill vary depending on the size of thesquash cubes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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