31 Delicious Butternut Squash Appetizers

Butternut squash appetizers can be the perfect start to an Autumn dinner party. Butternut squash is such a versatile ingredient with a mild yet slightly nutty taste that can be paired with so many different flavors. I’ve rounded up 31 of the best butternut squash appetizer recipes from around the internet, all with a delicious twist. Think butternut squash bruschetta, butternut squash crostini, soup and butternut squash fritters with sage leaves. 

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What is Butternut Squash?

Butternut squash, also known as butternut pumpkin in Australia and New Zealand, is a Winter squash that grows on a vine. While it is widely considered a vegetable, butternut squash is actually a fruit. They come in a range of sizes, with a large butternut being around 1.2kg.

It has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor that is quite mild. Butternut squash at the very beginning and end of the season tend to not be as flavorsome as in season butternut squash. Butternut squash is widely available during the Autumn and Winter months, making it a popular holiday appetizer. Though in Australia you can usually find butternut squash at the grocery store at any time of the year. 

With some squash and pumpkin the skin is fine to eat. While, technically you can eat the skin of the butternut squash, it tends to not have a very nice texture when cooked, so I always prefer to remove the skin. 

Butternut squash is a highly nutritious food that is low calorie yet contains a lot of beneficial nutrients! Some of the key nutrients in butternut squash are:

• Beta Carotene and Vitamin A – this is the standout nutrient in butternut squash, with 1 cup providing 457% of your recommended daily intake! Vitamin A is essential for the immune system as well as having benefits for the lungs and vision.
• Vitamin C – 1 cup provides over 50% of the recommended daily intake. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps the immune system, skin health, collagen synthesis, iron absorption and much more. 
• B vitamins – B vitamins are well known for increasing energy and helping to manage stress. 
• Dietary fiber – A diet high in fiber helps to promote a healthy digestive system, which promotes general health and wellbeing. 

Health Benefits of Butternut Squash 

• Cancer – some of the nutrients found in butternut squash, particularly vitamin c and carotenoids, have been shown to reduce the risk of developing some cancers. 
• Heart health – eating a diet rich in antioxidants and fiber help to reduce the risk of heart disease. 
• Mental decline – a diet rich in carotenoids and antioxidants has been associated with an increase in memory recall, visual attention and verbal fluency. While a diet rich in Vitamin E may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s in the elderly. 
• Weight management – eating foods that are low in calories but high in fiber and nutrients can help to maintain a healthy weight. This is because these foods are providing us more of the nutrients we need, helping us to feel more full and satisfied. 

How to Use Butternut Squash 

This fruit is extremely versatile and can be used in a range of different dishes such as the perfect appetizer, soup or side. Here are some of my favorite ways to use butternut squash:

• Oven Roast Butternut SquashHalves or Whole – roast until fork tender, golden and delicious with a little olive oil to bring out the sweetness of the squash. Serve as a side dish to your main meal. 
• Roasted Butternut Squash in the Air Fryer – whether you’re roasting butternut squash in the oven or air fryer, roasting brings out a lot of flavor in butternut squash.
• Roast cubed butternut in a single layer to add to Roasted Butternut Squash Salad or my Butternut Squash and Quinoa Salad. 
• Boil with stock and puree for a smooth Butternut Squash Soup
• Make my Easy Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry
• Use to make pumpkin puree.

Ingredients that go with Butternut Squash 

As I mentioned earlier, butternut squash has a subtle flavor that goes with so many different ingredients. To get your creative juices flowing, here are some of my favorite ingredients to use with butternut squash:

• pure maple syrup
• goat cheese
• sea salt & cracked black pepper
• balsamic glaze
• brown sugar
• ricotta cheese
• apple cider vinegar
• cayenne pepper
• ground cinnamon and nutmeg
• fresh herbs

​31 Butternut Squash Appetizers

Read onto see a collection of delicious butternut squash appetizers. All of these recipes would make for a perfect festive appetizer for your holiday table, to ensure you have a great Thanksgiving or holiday party! 

Gluten Free Butternut Squash Fritters

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these Butternut Squash Fritters are delicious! Perfect as an appetizer, side dish or light meal!

Butternut Squash Fritters

Butternut Squash Soup

A smooth and creamy butternut squash soup made only 3 ingredients! Serve as is or use as a base to create your favorite variation.

3 Ingredient Butternut Squash Soup

Vegan Butternut Squash Bruschetta

This vegan butternut squash bruschetta is a perfect appetizer for the holidays or any gathering. It’s sweet, tangy, full of flavor and easy to make.

Recipe & Image: Running On Real Food

Butternut Squash Bruschetta

Herb Roasted Butternut Squash, White Cheddar and Dijon Palmiers

Butternut Squash is the star of these autumn inspired hor d’ouevres in flaky, buttery puff pastry.  Just think, your party guests will be sipping their wine or cocktails and crunching on these gorgeous, flaky tidbits and thoroughly enjoying themselves!

Recipe & Image: Recipe For A Party

Butternut Squash Palmiers

Butternut Squash Cheeseball and a Holiday Cheese Board

My butternut cheeseball is full of the quintessential fall flavors: brown butter, crispy sage and tons of parmesan. It might be the only cheeseball that I want to eat with a spoon and only a spoon.

Recipe & Image: How Sweet Eats

Butternut Squash Cheeseball

Butternut Squash Crostini with Goat Cheese and Fig Glaze

Butternut Squash Crostini with Goat Cheese and fig balsamic glaze and crispy sage leaves – delicious appetizer or snack.

Recipe & Image: The Healthful Ideas

Butternut Squash Crostini

Warm Butternut Squash Dip with Gruyere

This healthy warm butternut squash dip is a great easy appetizer recipe! Simply roast the whole squash, then bake with bubbly gruyere cheese.

Recipe & Image: Feed Me Phoebe

Warm Butternut Squash Dip

Butternut Squash Quesadilla with Caramelized Onion

Squash season is upon us, and we’re ready to fall into flavor with these quesadillas filled with sweet and nutty butternut squash, caramelized onions and black beans.

Recipe & Image: The Modern Proper

Butternut Squash Quesadilla

Roasted Butternut Squash & Balsamic Brussels Sprout Flatbread Pizza with Goat Cheese

Roasted butternut squash, balsamic Brussels sprouts, goat cheese and pancetta is perfect for a flatbread full of fall flavors.

Recipe & Image: Cooking with Cocktail Rings

Butternut Squash & Balsamic Brussels Sprout Pizza

Bacon-Wrapped Butternut Squash Appetizer

I’ve got the ultimate treat for you to whip up during the holidays. These Bacon-Wrapped Butternut Squash Bites are a must for any autumn charcuterie board.

Recipe & Image: The Defined Dish

Bacon-Wrapped Butternut Squash Bites

Mini Butternut Squash Tarts with Caramelized Onion & Ricotta

These mini butternut squash tarts are the perfect vegetarian holiday party appetizer. They’re rich and colorful, and look so chic and elegant!

Recipe & Image: Our Salty Kitchen

Mini Butternut Squash Tarts

Butternut Squash Hummus

Butternut Squash Hummus is creamy, full of warm, earthy spices and a hint of sweetness from the squash. Top with with dukkah for a fabulous fall appetizer!

Recipe & Image: Recipe Runner

Butternut Squash Hummus

Butternut Squash Tartine with Arugula, and Roasted Garlic Goat Cheese

Butternut Squash Tartine topped with Roasted Garlic Goat Cheese and Arugula. A delicious open-faced sandwich for the fall and winter season!

Recipe & Image: A Beautiful Plate

Butternut Squash Tartine

Butternut Squash Galette with Asiago and Parmesan

Sage & thyme roasted butternut squash is wrapped into a flaky pie crust, filled cheese, & baked to crisp perfection. Perfect for Thanksgiving!

Recipe & Image: Blue Bowl Recipes

Butternut Squash Galette

Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Pierogi

Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Pierogi with sage butter is an amazing dish that combines American fall flavors with a taste from the Greek islands, wrapped in Polish dough.

Recipe & Image: Eating European

Roasted Butternut Squash Feta Pierogi

Chipotle-Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos

Chipotle-Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos with black beans, poblano peppers, and creamy avocado sauce. Vegan, gluten free, and kid-friendly.

Recipe & Image: Dishing Out Health

Butternut Squash Tacos

Butternut Squash Fries

Crisp-tender baked butternut squash fries are a wonderful low-carb side dish alternative to sweet potato fries with the same great taste!

Recipe & Image: Feel Good Foodie

Baked Butternut Squash Fries

Butternut Squash Chips

This is one of those recipes you’re going to want to memorize and make time and time again. Whenever I bring out a bowl of these golden, crispy Butternut Squash Veggie Chips, my guests go crazy for them.

Recipe & Image: Organic Authority

Butternut Squash Chips

Butternut Squash and Pear Crostini

A fall appetizer full of warm, comforting flavors – white cheddar cheese is balanced with butternut squash, thyme, and pear all atop of crostini.

Recipe & Image: Fork In The Kitchen

Butternut Squash and Pear Crostini

Butternut Squash Butter

This fantastic butternut squash butter recipe is SO easy to make and extremely impressive! Serve with crusty bread or challah!

Recipe & Image: Lindsey Eats

Butternut Squash Butter

Butternut Squash and Mushroom Empanadas

These vegetarian Butternut Squash & Mushroom Empanadas are stuffed with oven roasted squash, mushroom, & garlic. Refrigerated pie crusts make a quick & easy crust – then all you have to do is bake!

Recipe & Image: Balance With Jess

Butternut Squash and Mushroom Empanadas

Savory Butternut Squash Cake

Savory Parmesan Butternut Squash Cake made with roasted butternut squash, fresh sage, and Italian Olive Oil and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Recipe & Image: Self Proclaimed Foodie

Savory Butternut Squash Cake

Butternut Squash Soup Shooters

A fun way to entertain or serve a crowd this winter: butternut squash soup shooters! One enormous batch of soup that could then be ladled out as needed into perfectly portioned shot glasses. No spoons needed!

Recipe & Image: West of the Loop

Butternut Squash Soup Shooters

Vegan Jalapeño Butternut Squash Queso

Amazing vegan butternut squash queso filled with incredible flavor from roasted butternut squash, jalapeño, your favorite salsa & warming spices.

Recipe & Image: Ambitious Kitchen

Butternut Squash Queso

Savory Butternut Squash Pasties

Buttery puff pastry filled with roasted squash, fresh thyme and Gruyere cheese. Butternut squash pasties make the perfect appetizer for your fall table!

Recipe & Image: Rhubarb and Lavender

Savory Butternut Squash Pasties

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Sage Browned Butter

This warm and cozy butternut squash risotto is ready in an hour and perfect for chilly evenings!

Recipe & Image: Life As a Strawberry

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut Squash Gratin

Butternut Squash Gratin with Leeks, Sage & Walnuts – a delicious vegetarian side dish, highlighting fall ingredients, perfect for the holiday table!

Recipe & Image: Feasting At Home

Butternut Squash Gratin

Miso-Ginger Butternut Squash Soup

Miso-Ginger Butternut Squash Soup- infused with the rich umami flavors of roasted butternut squash and fermented miso, this soup is just as nourishing as it is delicious.

Recipe & Image: Making Thyme for Health

Miso-Ginger Butternut Squash Soup

Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta

This roasted butternut squash pasta recipe is sure to become a favorite this fall! Butternut squash, warm spices, sage, and a brown butter sauce makes this easy pasta recipe a winner.

Recipe & Image: Salt and Lavender

Butternut Squash Pasta

Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup

Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup- made in one-pot with wholesome veggies and meatless protein-packed sausage, this soup is satisfying and full of flavor.

Recipe & Image: Making Thyme For Health

Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup

Butternut Squash, Kale and White Bean Soup

Butternut Squash, Kale and White Bean Soup uses seasonal ingredients to create a comforting 1-pot meal. Ready in just 40 minutes!

Recipe & Image: Dishing Out Health

Butternut Squash, Kale and White Bean Soup