Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Oct 28, 2020, Updated Mar 16, 2024

5 from 12 votes

4 Comments

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This roasted butternut squash recipe is a healthy fall side dish that’s easy to make with only 6 ingredients! Baked butternut squash is slightly sweet, creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside with a touch of cinnamon – a perfect holiday side dish!

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (2)

This roasted butternut squash is a healthy fall side dish that’s easy to make with only 5 ingredients! It’s slightly sweet, creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside with a touch of cinnamon – making it the perfect addition to any holiday meal.

Plus, this roasted butternut squash is easy to make with only 6 ingredients in 30 minutes, and it’s gluten-free!

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (3)

Roasted Butternut Squash: Ingredients & Substitutions

Ilove every flavor in this baked butternut squash recipe, so I recommend making it as-written for the best results. However, here are a few notes on some possible substitutions.

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (4)
  • Butternut Squash.I recommend using fresh butternut squash to make this recipe! You can save time (peeling/chopping) and purchase pre-cut fresh squash in the produce department of most grocery stores.
  • Butter/Olive oil.I love the butter/olive oil combo for flavor. You need 2 TBS total of fat, you can use all butter, all olive oil or substitute canola or avocado oil!
  • Cinnamon.Choose high-quality ground cinnamon for the best flavor. You can also add a dash of nutmeg.
  • Maple Syrup. Honey can be used in place of maple syrup, however I recommend using syrup for the best flavor.
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (5)

How to Peel & Cut a Butternut Squash

Since I recommend using a fresh squash for this roasted butternut squash recipe, I thought it’d be helpful to show you how to peel and cut a squash!

Cut off Ends

begin by cutting off the ends. This makes it easier to set the squash flat to remove the skin.

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (6)
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (7)

Remove the skin

Next, use a knife or a very sharp/heavy-duty peeler to remove the skin from the butternut squash. Admittedly, this is my least favorite part that requires the most work. I find using a knife is the easiest, unless you have a pretty serious vegetable peeler!

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (8)
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (9)

Remove Seeds & Dice

Next, cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds using an ice cream scoop or metal spoon. Then, cut each half into long strips then cubes.

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (10)
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (11)

Use in the Recipe

Now you can use the prepared squash in this roasted butternut squash recipe, or use it in other recipes like this butternut squash soup, butternut squash mac and cheese, etc.

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How to Roast Butternut Squash

Once the butternut squash is peeled and diced, it’s time to make this roasted butternut squash recipe! It’s really easy to make, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by adding the the melted butter and olive oil to the cubed squash and stir until all the pieces are evenly coated.

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Next, add the cinnamon and sea salt and stir to combine.

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Spread oiled and seasoned squash cubes in a single even layer on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Keep in mind, the size of the squash cubes will effect the roasting time. Smaller cubes roast faster.

Once the squash just starts to brown and is soft, drizzle maple syrup over the squash and stir until it’s evenly distributed.

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Roast for another 10-15 minutes or until the squash is golden-brown and soft.

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Serve

Serve the roasted butternut squash warm, fresh from the oven. To dress it up a little you can add chopped fresh herbs (I recommend rosemary or parsley), pomegranate seeds, etc.

This baked butternut squash makes a great companion for other delicious fall foods:

  • Serve it in fall salads. Put this roasted butternut squash in this Brussel Sprout Salad, or any green salad dressed with this pomegranate vinaigrette.
  • Serve it on top of this butternut squash soup for added texture and flavor.
  • Alongside other delicious side dishes like roasted Brussels sprouts, the BEST cornbread, mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, etc.
  • To accompany yummy mains like this balsamic slow cooker pot roast!
  • Serve it as a Thanksgiving or holiday side dish alongside this Roast Turkey and the best Turkey Gravy!
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Store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat

There are two ways to reheat this baked butternut squash:

  1. In the microwave.heat for 30-60 seconds until warmed through. The squash won’t be as crispy as it was fresh from the oven, but it still tastes great.
  2. In the oven.Re-crisp and reheat the cinnamon butternut squash in the oven set to 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through.
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (18)

Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe FAQs

What flavors go well with butternut squash?

Butternut squash tastes amazing with fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, ginger, etc. Also with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley etc.

Should I peel butternut squash before roasting?

Peeling and dicing the butternut squash before roasting makes it cook faster. And for roasted butternut squash I definitely recommend it.

What months is butternut squash in season?

The best time to buy butternut squash is early fall through the winter (October through February).

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (19)

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Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (20)

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (21)

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Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

Laura

This roasted butternut squash recipe is a healthy fall side dish that’s easy to make with only 5 ingredients! Baked butternut squash is slightly sweet, creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside with a touch of cinnamon – a perfect holiday side dish!

5 from 12 votes

Course Side Dish, vegetables

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 94

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time35 minutes minutes

Total Time45 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet, set aside.

  • Peel, deseed and dice a butternut squash, cutting it into about 1” cubes.

  • Place butternut squash cubes in a large bowl.

  • Drizzle melted butter and olive oil over the butternut squash, stir until squash cubes are evenly coated.

  • Sprinkle cinnamon and sea salt over the squash, stir until ingredients are evenly distributed.

  • Spread oiled and seasoned squash cubes in a single even layer on the prepared baking sheet.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through.

  • After 20 minutes, or once the squash just starts to brown and is soft, drizzle maple syrup over the squash and stir until it’s evenly distributed.

  • Roast for another 10-15 minutes or until the squash is golden-brown and soft.

  • Serve warm with (optional) chopped fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitution Notes

  • Butternut Squash.I recommend using fresh butternut squash to make this recipe! You can save time (peeling/chopping) and purchase pre-cut fresh squash in the produce department of most grocery stores.
  • Butter/Olive oil.I love the butter/olive oil combo for flavor. You need 2 TBS total of fat, you can use all butter, all olive oil or substitute canola or avocado oil!
  • Cinnamon.Choose high-quality ground cinnamon for the best flavor. You can also add a dash of nutmeg.
  • Maple Syrup. Honey can be used in place of maple syrup, however I recommend using syrup for the best flavor.

Store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat

  1. In the microwave.heat for 30-60 seconds until warmed through. The squash won’t be as crispy as it was fresh from the oven, but it still tastes great.
  2. In the oven.Re-crisp and reheat the cinnamon butternut squash in the oven set to 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 308mg | Potassium: 410mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 12099IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should I roast butternut squash face down or up? ›

4) Turn the squash so the flesh is facing down and the skin is up. Roast for 30-40 minutes depending on the size. A fork should easily pierce the skin and sink into the thickest part of the squash.

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking? ›

Can You Eat Butternut Squash Skin? It's important to note that while many people choose to remove butternut squash skin (and this is best practice for soup making, where you want smooth results), you can 100% eat roasted butternut squash skin. Slice butternut squash into crescents and roast it with the skin on.

What season is best for butternut squash? ›

When is butternut squash in season? Butternut squash are harvested in late summer and autumn, but because they keep so well, they can be found all year round.

Why is my roasted butternut squash mushy? ›

We are looking for browned, crisp edges on the outside and a soft, smooth texture on the inside. It's important to set your heat at 425°F - yes, that high! If your oven is set at a temperature that is too low, you'll end up with uncooked or mushy roasted squash. Don't be afraid to turn up the heat!

How long does it take to roast butternut squash at 350 degrees? ›

Your large butternut squash halves should be perfectly baked after about 90 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. If you're using a small or medium squash, adjust the bake time.

Do you eat the skin of roasted butternut squash? ›

All winter squash skin is technically edible (and when we refer to winter squash, we're contrasting it to soft summer squashes, like yellow squash and zucchini). “All the skins are just fiber and completely safe to eat,” said Ann Ziata, a chef at the Institute of Culinary Education.

Is it better to roast or steam butternut squash? ›

It's not that steaming is better than roasting or roasting is better than steaming. It's that both techniques belong in a vegetable cook's repertoire. With steaming, you get pure squash flavor; with roasting you get darker, denser caramelized flavor.

Should you wash butternut squash before cooking? ›

Washing: First, start by washing your hands before preparing food. Then wash winter squash before preparing and eating.

Is butternut squash anti-inflammatory? ›

Nutritional Benefits of Butternut Squash

It contains zeaxanthin and lutein, two powerful antioxidants that support vision. Butternut Squash's high antioxidant content may have anti-inflammatory benefits, helping to reduce your risk of inflammation-related disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

What do British people call butternut squash? ›

The vegetable squash that Americans are used to is a relative newcomer to Britain. It's usually called by its varietal name - butternut squash, acorn squash - and sometimes orange fleshed vegetables that would be called squash in the USA are lumped together as pumpkin.

Which tastes better butternut or acorn squash? ›

Acorn squash is milder in taste and slightly more fibrous in texture than butternut squash: Its sweet, nutty flavor is additionally muted by the watery character of its flesh. Still, most recipes that call for acorn squash can be made with another members of the squash family, such as Hubbard or butternut.

Why do my fingers feel weird after cutting butternut squash? ›

A quick Google search reveals that this is a common reaction many people have to handling peeled butternut (and acorn) squash. Butternut squash contains a sticky, sap-like substance that is released when the fruit (squash is technically a fruit) is cut.

Do you cook butternut squash face up or down? ›

Coat cut sides with oil (I like to use olive oil), and sprinkle with salt and pepper (no need to go crazy, you can add more later). You can roast a butternut squash cut side up or cut side down. If you do it cut side down, it will likely get a little more browned. There's great flavor there!

Why does my butternut squash taste weird? ›

The most likely cause for a bitter taste in squash is due to an environmental stress of some sort, most likely a wide temperature flux or irregular irrigation. Either of these will create an excess of cucurbitacins to concentrate in the fruit.

Should acorn squash be baked cut side up or down? ›

Here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you roast acorn squash at home: Place the squash halves cut-side down onto a baking sheet. Bake until the flesh begins to soften.

How do you roast butternut squash to soften? ›

Place scrubbed and clean butternut squash onto a parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake at 400 F for approximately 1 hour or more, depending on size. The skin should start to collapse when it's ready; a sharp knife will easily slip out when pierced. Cool for 20 minutes or so, and then peel off the skin.

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