Butternut Squash Fries (2024)

Last Updated: by Kacey · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Fun and a change from the norm, these butternut squash fries are vegan, gluten-free, and totally healthy!

What a fun recipe this was! I have been making cookies the past couple of days and needed a change of scenery (pshh, who needs a break from cookies?!) In reality, we needed something other than dessert to eat for dinner.

Butternut Squash Fries (1)

#1 husband gets home at a later time now, and Girlie and myself wanted something to snack on. I had a butternut squash that had been sitting around doing nothing and knew I had to cook it up eventually. I wasn't feeling soup or mashed "potatoes." I wanted a simple snack, and remembered not too long ago I saved a butternut squash French fry recipe to my board on Pinterest. It was the perfect day to try something new!

Butternut Squash Fries (2)

Results? Amazing! When Mr. TCW got home I asked him to try them and tell me what he thought. He thought they were sweet potato fries! Sure tasted like them, but at the same time, these fries had their own nutty flavor about them. I was super pleased with the results, and while some were soft and others were crispy, I knew where I went "wrong." It all depends on how you cut the squash. The smaller pieces got crispy, while the thicker pieces had a bit of crisp but were more of a soft fry (not a bad thing at all!) Just be aware of how you cut your butternut squash.

Butternut Squash Fries (3)

📖 Recipe

Butternut Squash Fries (4)

Butternut Squash Fries

While most of us are familiar with sweet potato fries, here is a different take using butternut squash!

Ingredients

  • 1 small (1-2 lb) butternut squash, peeled, de-seeded, and sliced into "fries"
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil (you can use more if needed!)
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. dried basil
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • ⅛ tsp. cayenne powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450F. Line baking sheet with silicone liner if available (placing on direct pan should work!)
  2. Place the fries into a bowl with the olive oil. Toss until all the fries are coated. Season with remaining ingredients and mix until combined.
  3. Pour onto tray and evenly spread out so no pieces overlap. Place into oven and bake for 20 minutes. Flip, and continue baking for another 10-20 minutes, or until desired crispiness is reached.
  4. Note: Cook time will vary depending on the thickness of your "fries." If you see noticeable browning, you can always flip your "fries" earlier.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 266Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 415mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 3g

I cannot wait to make these again, although I find cutting butternut squash to be a pain since you have that rather stringy middle part to work around. I am going to pick up some other squashes and try them out as fries to see how they go, as I am partial to acorn and buttercup squash.

When I made the recipe, I used ½ tsp. of salt and it was a little too much. It all depends on the size of your squash. You can also sub in coconut oil for the olive oil for a healthier take. Plus, the spices are all up to you! Maybe a rosemary and thyme variety would work, or perhaps a pizza inspired flavor. Decisions, decisions. Also note the little hands helping me with my food photography. She tries so hard!

Love these butternut squash fries?! Try some of these recipes:

Butternut Squash Fries (5)

Rutabaga Fries

« Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken

Blueberry Boy Bait »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erik

    Probably want to tell people to peel the squash. My wife sent this recipe to me and asked me to make it. I read the instructions, went back through specifically looking for instruction related to yhe squash's skin. Not finding any I figured to leave the skin on as I would potatoes. When i was done cutting the squash into fries I thought I should let my wife know I was leaving the skin on and she told me "everyone knows the skin is inedible". Clearly not apparently. So you probably want to make a mention to peel or remove the skin in some fashion.

    Reply

    • Kacey

      I am sorry to hear that Erik. It was erroneous of me to think most knew to remove the skin of squashes before working with them (I tend to remove the skin on 90% of veggies.) I have updated the recipe accordingly.

      Reply

  2. Hollie Navarre

    That was amazing! My 14 year old even ate them and he doesn't eat vegetables! It's low oxalate too!!!

    Reply

    • Kacey

      I love hearing stories like this! Thank you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Butternut Squash Fries (2024)

FAQs

Which is healthier, sweet potatoes or butternut squash? ›

To begin with, the butternut squash beats the sweet potato with fewer calories, carbs and sugar per serving. Moreover, it is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B6 and E. On the other hand, the sweet potato, however, provides more fiber and protein.

Can I use butternut squash instead of sweet potatoes? ›

Butternut Squash is almost exactly the same as Sweet Potato except Butternut Squash is better in every way. As far as I can tell: It's better nutritionally. It has a more subtle flavor. It seems to be more versatile.

Does butternut squash taste like potato? ›

Not exactly. It's less starchy, and the flavor is different - it's slightly sweeter. But as far as substitutes go, it's an excellent one, and the experience of eating it is not very far from that of eating potatoes roasted in olive oil. Can I use frozen butternut squash?

What are 3 ways you can eat butternut squash? ›

7 ways to cook with butternut squash
  • Butternut squash soup. ...
  • Spicy squash and spinach soup. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash. ...
  • Butternut squash laksa. ...
  • Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with roast vegetables and chickpeas. ...
  • Beef and butternut squash moussaka. ...
  • Chilled toffee apple creams.

Is butternut squash a good or bad carb? ›

Butternut squash is a low-calorie food and is packed with nutrients. While it's higher in carbs than some other veggies, its low glycemic index (a ranking of how carbs affect blood sugar) still makes it a healthy choice for most people.

Is butternut squash a carb or vegetable? ›

Winter squash: Winter squash, including butternut squash and acorn squash, is a starchy vegetable that is high in carbs. One cup of cooked butternut squash contains around 21 grams of carbs, while one cup of cooked acorn squash contains around 15 grams.

Why is butternut squash not sweet? ›

If you pick too early, the flesh will not be fully developed and the squash will lack flavor and not be that wonderfully vegetal sweet that is the wonder of butternut, honeynut, delicata, acorn, pumpkin and kabocha, among dozens of other winter squash.

Can dogs eat butternut squash? ›

Generally, butternut squash is safe to feed to most pooches, unless your vet has advised otherwise. As a guide, we would recommend feeding small dogs no more than 1 or 2 teaspoons of butternut squash, whilst bigger dogs can eat up to 3 or 4 tablespoons of butternut squash.

Can dogs eat squash? ›

Squash is an excellent choice if you want to feed your dogs fruits or vegetables. It's low calorie, high fiber, and full of nutrients. Squash should be cooked before you feed it to your dog to prevent digestive problems.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

Can you eat too much butternut squash? ›

When taken by mouth: Butternut is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people, but it can cause diarrhea and irritation of the stomach and intestines. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use butternut in large amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It might stimulate the bowels too much.

What does butternut squash do for the gut? ›

Butternut squash contains considerable amounts of fiber, which can help you keep a healthy weight and regulate bowel movements. It's known to help prevent colorectal cancer while the beta-carotene in butternut squash can also improve eye health.

Which is better for diabetics, sweet potato or butternut squash? ›

Nguyen said that people with diabetes can "confidently" eat butternut squash and sweet potato interchangeably, "as per their individual needs of carbohydrate intake." However, when in doubt, always consult with your doctor (and moderation is key).

What is the healthiest squash? ›

In addition to vitamins A and C, butternut squash is also rich in carotenoid plant pigments and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Like acorn squash, butternut squash can be used in both savory and sweet dishes, such as baked goods, grain dishes, and soups.

Is butternut squash healthy for losing weight? ›

One cup of cooked butternut squash has only 83 calories and provides 7 grams of filling fiber — making it an excellent choice to lose excess weight and body fat. It contains both insoluble and soluble fiber. Soluble fiber has been associated with fat loss and decreased appetite.

What has more fiber, sweet potato or butternut squash? ›

Exhibit B: While both are high in B vitamins, the squash is higher in folate, a must in the diets future and soon-to-be mamas, as well as mega-antioxidant vitamin E, and bone-building calcium. However, the squash must concede when it comes to fiber content, with the sweet potato taking first place (4 grams vs.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 5892

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.