These sweet-and-spicy butternut squash fries are packed with flavor from yummy sriracha. Oven baked, and made with just three simple ingredients, they're so much healthier than traditional fries!
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I am perpetually counting calories. Which is a whole lot of fun! Perhaps this is just my perception, but it sure seems like the food blogging world is full of the "Oh gosh—I just eat whatever I want, and I never workout!" types who weigh 110 pounds and post six dessert recipes a week, usually involving Rolos and/or several heaping cups full of Nutella and I resent them and their amazing metabolism.
I am not one of those bloggers. Nope. I have to watch every single thing I eat. So butternut squash fries make a frequent appearance on our dinner table.
Ok, now that I have that off my chest, let's move on to the fries!
If I'm making veggie burgers or grilled cheese or something else that's a little bit high in calories, butternut squash fries are a good low calorie side dish to balance that.
And they're filling! And delicious! And healthy! Butternut squash is high in fiber, beta carotene, potassium, and Vitamins C & B6. So in addition to having fewer calories than potato fries, they're more nutritious too.
Lower calories! More nutrition! Really, you can't go wrong with butternut squash fries.
These Baked Butternut Squash Fries are:
- Packed with spicy flavor from sriracha.
- Easy to make with just 3 ingredients!
- Low calorie and healthy.
- Vegetarian.
- Vegan.
- Gluten-Free.
- A tasty snack the whole family will love!
Food Blogs and Calories
Tips & Tricks
Okay, there's one slight downside. Butternut squash fries are not as crispy as regular fries. But if you want them as crispy as possible, make sure you cut the fries nice and thin!
You can create your own variations of these basic butternut squash fries by changing up the seasoning. I used to alternate between sprinkling them with chipotle powder and sprinkling them with cinnamon, but my new thing is sriracha. These Baked Sriracha Butternut Squash Fries are now my favorite butternut squash fries!
To me, they're just spicy enough, but you can always drizzle some extra sriracha onto the fries after they're done baking to increase the spice level.
And if you love these butternut squash fries, be sure to check all the other fries you can make out of fresh veggies!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp peanut vegetable, canola or any other neutral-flavored oil
- 1 tsp sriracha
- 1 large butternut squash peeled, seeded and cut into evenly-sized steak fries
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Whisk together oil and sriracha in a large bowl. Transfer butternut squash fries to bowl and toss to coat. (It’s messy, but use your hands—it works best!) Pour fries onto a rimmed baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then carefully flip fries over using tongs or a spatula. Sprinkle with additional salt and bake for 20 minutes more or until tender and browned on edges.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Amen sistah...every calorie is tracked before I eat it the following day. It stinks but it's my reality. I think the bloggers that post all of that crap and actually eat it are holograms or something.
I never have Sriracha on hand but just happen to right now after making a Sriracha based gift for a foodie friend. Now I know how I can use it! Thanks!
Kiersten says
I know! I always wonder if they're actually eating what they make. I am a jealous h8r.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
They look so festive - and delicious.
christina says
As a sriracha fanatic, I am SO happy to see this!
Lori Popkewitz Alper says
Can't wait to try these. Squash makes it onto our table almost nightly.
Aggie says
Your photos are making me hungry! I'm with you, the calories, they get me. I'd love a side of these any time - especially with a good veggie burger, yum!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Can't find one single pumpkin in our supermarkets any more at this time.
These butternut squash fries look so tempting!
Kiersten says
Yeah, we're starting to have fewer and fewer winter squash here too. I can still find the common ones, but it's harder to find the more obscure varieties!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I must admit that I like my fries crisp, but to save on some calories, I'd be willing to do this! NUMMY!
Kiersten says
Well, these do get a little bit crispy on the edges. So there's that!
Daria says
I think that I will try them. Today I made your "Apple cheddar pizza..." since became a big fan from the very first time I made it:) Even my grandma (who is very picky about what she eats) loves it! So congratulations are in order!
I don't know about the bloggers and their metabolism, but I'm always so jelaous about people who eat all this unhealthy food and are so skinny. I have pretty good metabolism, but since I love eating I don't care about calories etc., but I workout every day:)
Kiersten says
Thank you--that is awesome that your grandma likes it too! 😀 I wish my metabolism would speed up a little bit, but I don't think that's going to happen...
Dulcie @ two tarts says
These look great! I have done a lot of baked sweet potato fries, but wouldn't have thought of butternut squash. The sriracha is a nice touch.
Kiersten says
I love butternut squash fries because they sorta kinda taste like sweet potato fries, but with way less calories. 🙂
JulieD says
I love this!! I love butternut squash!
The Squishy Monster says
I'm all over sriracha anything---these look great!
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
Love these! Making veggies into fry shapes makes them even more appealing .. and I like soft fries!
Sindura says
These look amazing! I love sriracha!!!! Can't wait to try them! Over the summer I decided to go vegetarian and make it a point to cook most of my food to live a healthier lifestyle. I see a big difference in the way my body feels and find it easier to focus in my classes. Your recipes have helped me so much with the transition. I love that you make food that is both extremely delicious and nutritous! Thank you so much! Your food is inspirational!
Kiersten says
I notice the same thing--when I eat food I cook myself, made with real ingredients, I feel so much better physically. I'm so glad my blog is helpful to you! 😀
JoAnna says
My husband LOVES Siracha and I love butternut squash so this is a must try! Pinning it now for after the Holiday!
Kiersten says
I hope you both like these fries then! 😀
Dara says
I agree! I am continutally amazed by the sheer number of food bloggers who consume dessert daily. I am a counter as well and I love squash fries. Great recipe!
Kiersten says
I have to have dessert daily, but my dessert is usually a sad solitary (and tiny) piece of chocolate. 🙂
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
Ha, I have wondered often about those bloggers too! Jerks. 😉 I am most assuredly not one of them.
I tried making butternut squash fries a couple weeks ago and I must say, these are way, WAY prettier. Plus, Sriracha! Genius.
Kiersten says
Yeah, I think I am developing a wee bit of a complex. 😉 I totally want to be one of those people who can eat deep-fried powdered sugar Rolo cakes on a daily basis and not gain an ounce.
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
Oh, and I love love love your green nail polish!
Kiersten says
It's Ciate Oil Slick. It looks green in some light, gold in others. I am totally obsessed with it. 🙂
http://www.sephora.com/paint-pots-nail-polish-P309322?skuId=1415363
Courtney Rae Jones says
These look delicious! 🙂
I am very much with you on being a food blogger that cannot just indulge on a regular basis. I've been trying to count calories as well and make healthy choices. It's been tough to do this Christmas season, though! I need to make some adjustments in the new year. *hehe*
Kiersten says
Yeah, I sort of gave up counting calories until after Christmas. 🙂 We're traveling and there's no way I'm going to skip desserts or order salads!
Diana @ Eating Made Easy says
Sweet and spicy, just perfect!
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
You've convinced me to try making my own healthier version of fries once again but honestly I'm convinced mine will be squishy and unappetizing. I'll report back!
Kiersten says
Well, these are definitely softer than fries made with potatoes. Just warning you!
Kelly Stilwell says
Printed and I can't wait to try them! YUM!
Amber @ Slim Pickin's Kitchen says
I am absolutely right there with you! If I want to have any sort of control I absolutely must count my calories. I can eat one french fry and gain 5 lbs. It really sucks sometimes, but such is life! I have noticed that I just feel much better over all if I stick with my calories. I can't exercise right now b/c I have mono which is a wee bit depressing, so I have been watching my calories like a hawk. I log them with My Fitness Pal which is so incredibly easy and it really does make me feel as if I a have accomplished something for the day! With all of the blogs I follow who have the most amazing and indulgent recipes ever, the author's tend to have some sort of fitness or nutritionist background which I think really helps them out...a lot!
Kiersten says
Oh, I am right there with you. My husband has the metabolism of a small woodland creature and he can eat 3/4 of a pumpkin pie and not gain anything and I eat the remaining 1/4 over the two days and I'm up 5 pounds. I use an app on my phone called Lose It and track my calories, workouts, and weight there. Although I have to confess, I kind of decided not to track until after Christmas. (Which I'm sure is a decision I will regret!)
Daria says
I made them today:) They are great:) But they didn't look as great as your photos. I'm always impressed with your photos:) Everything looks so tasty! I'm always hungry after seeing them.
Kiersten says
Thank you! And I'm glad you liked them! 😀
Lisa is Raw on $10 a Day (or Less!) says
Oh, nice! I have a bumper crop of butternuts still in storage, so I'll definitely do something like this! BTW, really wonderful blog you have here!
Kiersten says
Thank you! 🙂 Fries are definitely my favorite way to use up extra butternut squash. You can never go wrong with fries!
Jackie @ Vegan Yack Attack! says
I LOVE butternut squash and sriracha, so naturally this recipe caught my eye. And it's so simple! I can't wait to try them out. 😀
Kiersten says
Yay! I hope you enjoy them! 😀