# Butternut squash cooking times

How long to cook butternut squash: **30–40 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan), 15–20 min in an air fryer at 200°C, 12–15 min boiled and 12–15 min steamed**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/butternut-squash-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook butternut squash

Times are for 1 medium squash (about 1 kg), for 4.

Butternut squash: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Cubes) | 30–40 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Toss cubes in oil and turn halfway. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Halves) | 45 min to 1 h | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Brush with oil and roast cut side up. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) (Cubes) | 15–20 min | 200°C (400°F) | Toss in a tablespoon of oil; shake halfway. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Cubes) | 12–15 min | simmering in salted water | For mash or soup. |
| [Steam](https://feastflow.co.uk/steaming-times) (Cubes) | 12–15 min | over simmering water | – |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) (Cubes) | 8–10 min | on full power, covered | With 3 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| [Slow cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/slow-cooker-cooking-times) (Cubes) | 4–6 hours | on low | In a stew or curry with stock; 2–3 hours on high. |

## Before you start

Peel with a vegetable peeler, halve, scoop out the seeds and cut into 2–3 cm cubes. For halves, leave the skin on.

## How to tell it’s done

Soft all the way through and caramelised at the edges.

## Questions

### How long to cook butternut squash in the oven?

Cubes: 30–40 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Toss cubes in oil and turn halfway. Halves: 45 min to 1 h at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Brush with oil and roast cut side up.

### How long to cook butternut squash in an air fryer?

Cubes: 15–20 min at 200°C (400°F). Toss in a tablespoon of oil; shake halfway.

### How long to boil butternut squash?

Cubes: 12–15 min simmering in salted water. For mash or soup.

### How long to steam butternut squash?

Cubes: 12–15 min over simmering water.

### How long to microwave butternut squash?

Cubes: 8–10 min on full power, covered. With 3 tablespoons of water; stir halfway.

### How long to cook butternut squash in a slow cooker?

Cubes: 4–6 hours on low. In a stew or curry with stock; 2–3 hours on high.

---

Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/