These air fryer butternut sliders are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional meat sliders. They offer a fantastic way to enjoy the natural sweetness and unique texture of butternut squash in a fun, creative, and nutritious way. Perfect as a light meal or a delightful appetizer, these sliders are ideal for entertaining guests or satisfying a craving for something different yet wholesome.
Air-fried sliders are a wonderful testament to how versatile and exciting cooking with vegetables can be. Once air-fried, the butternut squash takes on a lovely caramelized surface that perfectly complements the gooey, melted mozzarella cheese. The combination of textures – tender butternut squash and creamy cheese – creates a delightful bite. Add some tangy cherry tomatoes, and you’ve got a burst of flavour that will make your taste buds sing. For an extra kick, you can even choose to add chorizo, which brings a smoky, spiced flavour that enhances the overall taste experience, giving these sliders an extra layer of depth and excitement.
Making your own mini buns adds a personal touch that elevates these sliders to the next level. Even if you use a pre-made bread mix, the homemade element makes them feel special and unique. The air fryer does an exceptional job of baking the buns to perfection, providing a crispy exterior while keeping the interior soft and fluffy. These buns hold up beautifully to the juicy and tender fillings, ensuring each bite is a mix of textures and flavours.
Whether you’re looking for a fun twist on a classic dish or aiming to serve something healthy and creative, these air fryer butternut sliders are a perfect choice. They’ll leave your guests impressed and satisfied, and they’re sure to become a new favourite recipe!
PREP 10 minutes
COOK 10 minutes
KIT you will need an air fryer.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Butternut Sliders
1 whole butternut squash, peeled and sliced
1 red onion, peeled and sliced
Mozarella, torn
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Chrorizo, sliced
Vegetable oil spray
Mayo & Chilli dip to serve
Method
I started by preparing the butternut squash, slicing it into thick, even rounds. About 1cm thick to serve as the “buns” for the sliders. So carefully peel off the rind using a vegetable peeler, making sure the edges are nice and smooth so they stack neatly. Once the squash was prepped, I began assembling the layers. I placed a few slices of red onion on the base slice, followed by some torn mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, and thin slices of chorizo for a smoky, savoury hit. Of course, the chorizo is totally optional if you’re going for a vegetarian version. I topped each one with another slice of butternut squash to complete the slider shape.
Then give them a light spray with olive oil and place them carefully into the air fryer. Then I cooked them at 160°C for around 10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they were caramelising nicely. The result? Golden, tender squash with gooey, melted cheese and a burst of flavour from the tomatoes and chorizo. The edges were perfectly crisped, and everything held together beautifully.
So for the buns, I prepped some dough using a simple bread mix. Yes, it’s a little bit of a shortcut, but sometimes convenience wins! Once the dough had risen slightly, I rolled it into small, slider-sized balls. I gave them a quick spray of oil and cooked them in the air fryer at 180°C for about 8 to 10 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through so they don’t stick together.
When the butternut sliders were done, I lifted the tops, added a bit of fresh lettuce for crunch, and sprinkled some sesame seeds on top. Then I served them with a creamy mayo and chilli dip, and honestly, they were incredibly scrummy. So warm, filling, and full of flavour.
Tips for Air Fryer Butternut Sliders
1. Choose the right squash
Pick a firm butternut squash with a long neck which is the part you’ll slice into slider-sized rounds. The bulbous end contains seeds and is trickier to use for this dish.
2. Peel and slice evenly
Peel the squash and slice it into ½-inch thick rounds. Try to keep the slices uniform so they cook at the same rate. Uneven slices can result in some pieces being undercooked or too soft.
3. Lightly oil and season
Brush each slice with a little olive oil and season with salt, pepper, paprika, or garlic powder. This helps the pieces caramelise and adds flavour.
4. Preheat your air fryer
It is advisable to preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for at least a couple of minutes first. As a hot basket will help the butternut slices to crisp up more quickly and evenly.
5. Cook in a single layer
Arrange the slices in a single layer without overlapping. Leave the crisper plates in the drawer to help the hot air to circulate. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and just tender.
6. Get creative with fillings
Layer your cooked butternut slices with fillings like mini burger patties, halloumi, pulled chicken, or roasted veg. Add a dollop of hummus, pesto, or tzatziki for extra flavour.
7. Secure with skewers or toothpicks
If serving as sliders, use cocktail sticks or skewers to hold them together which is especially helpful if you are stacking the fillings high.
8. Serve warm or cold
Butternut sliders taste great straight from the air fryer, but they also hold up well cold so they are ideal for lunchboxes or make-ahead meals.
These air fried butternut sliders are so tasty, nutritious, and totally customisable!
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