Crispy Parmesan Butternut Squash (Printable)

Golden oven-baked butternut squash fries with Parmesan and herbs, delivering a crunchy, flavorful snack or side.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large butternut squash (approximately 4.4 pounds), peeled and cut into fry-shaped sticks

→ Coating

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Finishing

07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Set the oven to 425°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine butternut squash sticks with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, tossing until evenly coated.
03 - Place the squash fries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they do not touch.
04 - Bake for 25 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through, until the edges turn golden and crisp.
05 - Remove the fries from the oven and immediately sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, tossing gently to coat.
06 - Transfer fries to a serving platter, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everyone will think you deep-fried, but these fries are all oven magic.
  • The crispy Parmesan and herby finish make them taste like a guilty pleasure without the guilt.
02 -
  • If you crowd the fries, they steam and go soggy—give them space even if it feels fussy.
  • Dusting with a whisper of cornstarch before oil is a total game-changer for extra crisp.
03 -
  • Extra-fine Parmesan crisps best; pre-shredded just doesn’t cling the same.
  • Avoiding overlap is crucial—use extra pans if needed, it’s worth it for the crunch.
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