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    Home » Appetizers & Sides

    Honey Roasted Butternut Squash

    Published: Nov 7, 2018 / Updated: Oct 9, 2022 / 14 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This oven roasted butternut squash recipe is an easy addition to your holiday table! These caramelized squash bites are melt-in-your-mouth tender, and everyone will ask for seconds.

    If you love roasted vegetables, you may also like my Honey Roasted Carrots or my Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

    close-up of honey cinnamon butternut squash in a bowl

    Why you'll love it

    You only need four ingredients (plus salt & pepper) to make an elevated side dish that involves hardly any effort. Roasting butternut squash is so easy, and I serve this simple butternut squash recipe with many of my seasonal meals. It's a must-have at my Thanksgiving and Christmas table especially and is one of the first side dishes to disappear!

    The warm, sweet and savory flavor combo of squash, cinnamon, and honey is just so good in these soft, bite-sized cubes. Your house will smell irresistible. Butternut squash is really a versatile ingredient, and I can't get enough of it this time of the year. I use it in everything from a classic Butternut Squash Soup to my Easy Mashed Butternut Squash to this golden, cozy side dish.

    Ingredients for it

    • Butternut squash - it tastes kind of like pumpkin but more nutty. If you've never bought one before, look for one that's a deep beige color and seems heavy for its size. It should be blemish free.
    • Olive oil - this coats the squash to get that delicious caramelized exterior
    • Honey - for a hint of sweetness
    • Cinnamon - this warm spice plays really well with the honey
    • Salt & pepper - I'm fairly generous with both to bring out the flavors
    close-up of halved butternut squash with seeds scooped out

    How to peel butternut squash

    • I find butternut squash a pain to peel with a standard potato or vegetable peeler, so I use this method instead.
    • Cut the squash in half lengthwise, remove the seeds with a spoon, and then cut the squash into a few large pieces.
    • I then use a sharp knife to cut the tough skin off. Just make sure you keep the pieces of squash secure on the cutting board to avoid any accidents. Cutting it into cubes takes a little more effort, but that means more surface area for that golden caramelized exterior!

    What do I do with butternut squash seeds?

    • I often don't discard the butternut squash seeds and roast them instead so they don't go to waste. They're tasty to snack on or add to soups and salads as a crunchy topping!
    • Let them dry, coat them in a bit of olive oil and salt & pepper, and then roast them at 375F for 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway. That's it.
    beige bowl with easy honey roasted butternut squash pieces

    How to roast butternut squash

    This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    • Preheat the oven to 400F. Halve the squash and remove the seeds and stringy fibers. Carefully peel it, and cut it up into roughly the same size cubes.
    • Toss the squash with oil, honey, cinnamon, and salt & pepper until coated, either in a bowl or right on the baking sheet, and then arrange in a single layer.
    • Roast for 20-25 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until soft and golden. Pierce with a knife to check if done. Enjoy right away.

    Substitutions and variations

    • Many grocery stores sell pre-cut cubes of fresh butternut squash, which really lessens the effort and prep for this recipe if you find it difficult to do yourself or are short on time.
    • You don't have to include the cinnamon if you don't want to, but to me it's a nice festive touch.
    • If you're unable to find butternut squash for whatever reason, simply swap it out for sweet potatoes! The technique will stay the same, and the seasonings will go with it as well.

    What to serve with roasted butternut squash

    • It makes a great holiday side dish to serve alongside an Easy Roast Turkey and Baked Mac and Cheese and homemade Green Bean Casserole.
    • Since it's so easy to make, you definitely don't need to save this one for special occasions. I like to pair butternut squash with everything from this Easy Baked Chicken Breast recipe to a more seasonal dish like Easy Pork Chops and Apples.
    • You can also toss them into your favorite pasta or salad. So many options!

    Leftovers and storage

    • Leftovers of this honey butternut squash will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for a few days.
    • For best results, reheat in the oven at 350F until warmed through. A small saucepan should be fine too.
    • I wouldn't recommend freezing leftovers. The texture is bound to come out different when thawed.

    More easy vegetable side dishes

    • Brussels Sprouts Gratin
    • Bacon Ranch Mashed Potatoes
    • Easy Crockpot Honey Glazed Carrots
    • Roasted Red Potatoes
    • Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
    honey roasted butternut squash in a beige bowl

    Questions about this roasted butternut squash with honey recipe? Let me know in the comments below! I'd love to hear if you made it. You can also find me on Instagram.

    This honey cinnamon butternut squash recipe is perfect for fall, Thanksgiving, and/or Christmas! Tender sweet and savory roasted squash is perfectly caramelized to make the most delicious family friendly side dish.

    Honey Roasted Butternut Squash

    This oven roasted butternut squash recipe is an easy addition to your holiday table! These caramelized squash bites are melt-in-your-mouth tender, and everyone will ask for seconds.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 178 kcal
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    Ingredients
     

    • 1 butternut squash peeled, seeds removed, & cut into chunks
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400F and move the rack to the middle position. 
    • Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds (I use a spoon). Peel the squash (I do this quickly using a sharp knife... I just cut the squash into a few pieces and then cut the skin off). Cut the squash into pieces that are roughly equal-sized. Mine were about 1" pieces.
    • Add the squash, oil, honey, cinnamon, and salt & pepper to a baking sheet. Toss until everything is coated. Arrange in an even layer.
    • Roast squash for 20-25 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until the squash is cooked. Time will vary depending on how big the pieces are. 

    Notes

    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 178kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 666mgFiber: 4gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 19932IUVitamin C: 39mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword oven roasted butternut squash, roasted butternut squash
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Lemon Butter Chicken
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    1. M says

      December 22, 2021 at 2:34 AM

      5 stars
      Hello, can I make this with frozen pre- cut butternut squash? And if I do, will it change anything in the steps in the recipe?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 22, 2021 at 9:49 AM

        Hi! I haven't tried it with frozen squash, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. You may need to adjust timing, but that's pretty standard with this recipe anyway, as every oven varies as well as the size the pieces are cut into. Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
    2. Marie C says

      November 24, 2020 at 6:14 PM

      5 stars
      Great recipe! Ended up taking longer to bake but came out great. Hubby, 15 month old & myself all loved it paired with a pork tenderloin. Just prepare yourself that it may take longer to bake than it states

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 25, 2020 at 1:22 PM

        I'm so happy that it worked out!! Yup, timing can definitely vary a bit depending on what size the pieces are.

        Reply
    3. M says

      November 23, 2020 at 11:36 AM

      5 stars
      Amazing! I had half of a red onion that I through in too and it was great!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 23, 2020 at 12:35 PM

        Great!! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Olivia says

      October 12, 2020 at 6:39 PM

      5 stars
      I am of the belief that all butternut squash should be sweet, and this was juuuuust sweet enough for me! I loved the hint of cinnamon; it made our whole apartment smell like fall for hours. Better than a candle! Definitely bringing this one back for the holidays.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 12, 2020 at 7:17 PM

        That's awesome! So pleased you liked this recipe, Olivia!

        Reply
    5. AngelaML says

      April 1, 2020 at 6:53 PM

      5 stars
      Forgot to give a rating with my comment...

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 2, 2020 at 10:23 AM

        Thanks 😀

        Reply
    6. AngelaML says

      April 1, 2020 at 6:52 PM

      Hi Natasha, so I can brag that I already baked butternut squash as one of my things. All 3 of them - LOL. I used the olive oil and cinnamon. But had never done with honey. So I tried it the other night and the whole family (including my son who is not a big fan of vegetables) agreed that this really did raise it up a bit!!! Will definitely make it this way going forward. Thanks!!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 2, 2020 at 10:24 AM

        Haha that's awesome. I'm so glad that you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Natasha's Sister says

      November 7, 2018 at 11:03 AM

      5 stars
      Are you making me these for Christmas? You better.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 7, 2018 at 11:13 AM

        No.

        Reply

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