Description
This Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash is a warm, flavorful side dish with the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Roasted to golden perfection, it’s drizzled with honey, sprinkled with cinnamon, and paired with cranberries for a touch of tartness. The added cayenne pepper gives it just the right amount of heat, making it an irresistible dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound butternut squash (peeled and cubed)
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/3 cup cranberries (halved, fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). - Prepare the Squash:
If the squash isn’t pre-cut, peel and cube it into 1-2″ pieces. - Season the Squash:
Place the cubed squash on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle the avocado oil over the squash, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toss the squash to ensure it’s evenly coated. - Roast the Squash:
Roast the squash in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until it’s fork-tender and the edges begin to brown and caramelize. - Prepare the Flavor Mixture:
While the squash is roasting, mix the honey, ground cinnamon, cranberries, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. - Finish Roasting:
Once the squash is roasted, remove it from the oven and add the honey and cranberry mixture. Toss to combine, ensuring the squash is well coated. - Final Bake:
Return the squash to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. This step allows the cranberries to soften and the glaze to set. - Serve:
Once done, remove from the oven and serve warm.
Notes
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Optional Toppings: You can add nuts such as pecans or walnuts for a crunchy texture.
- Adjust the Spice: If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper. If you like more spice, feel free to add more.
- Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter dish, add extra honey to taste before the final bake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg