This Butternut Squash Dip with Roasted Garlic is an easy appetizer recipe that contains just six ingredients. Perfect party dip!
Whether you’re big plans include cozying up on the couch catching up on your favorite streaming shows, or having friends and family over for a fall holiday party, you’ll want to make this Butternut Squash Dip with Roasted Garlic.
With warm fall spices, hearty butternut squash, and delicious depth of flavor from roasted garlic (made in the air fryer!), this is the perfect party dip. Whether it’s for a party of 1 or 20!
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🌟 Why this recipe works
This simple and tasty butternut squash dip recipe is the perfect appetizer for any occasion. Made with only a few ingredients, it’s easy to prepare and will be a hit at your next gathering
Here are a few reasons to love this dip:
- Warm and comforting – This is a creamy dip perfect for dunking bread or crackers into. Full of warm fall spices, it’s a soothing, satisfying treat.
- Make-ahead marvel – You can make this dip a day in advance.
- Hot or cold – This dip is delicious whether you serve it warm or chilled.
- Easy to make – The steps to make this dip are super simple. And I’ve cut the time almost in half by air frying the garlic to give it that deep roasted flavor and texture.
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Butternut Squash puree – Use canned butternut squash puree to make this a fast and easy recipe. I love Farmers Market Foods Organic Butternut Squash Puree. It’s certified organic and so delicious!
- Garlic – You’ll need a whole garlic head.
- Olive oil – Use extra virgin olive oil
- Turmeric – A little ground turmeric
- Tahini – Use storebought or homemade tahini.
- Lemon juice – A little fresh lemon juice adds acidity
- Salt – Coarse sea salt balances out the sweetness from the butternut squash.
Optional: garnish the dip with pepitas (pumpkin seeds), crispy sage leaves, chopped fresh thyme, and/or sprinkle of cayenne pepper, nutmeg, or paprika.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
- Slice the garlic head top off and place the garlic head on a square of aluminum foil.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the top of the gariic head.
- Bring up the edges of the foil and wrap around the garlic head.
4. Place the garlic head in an air fryer basket.
5. Air fry at 380°F degrees for 20 minutes. The garlic should be softened, fragrant, and a light golden brown when fully roasted.
6. Place the butternut squash into the food processor bowl. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skins. Take care to ensure no garlic skin is in the food processor; discard the garlic skin. Add the turmeric, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and coarse sea salt to the food processor.
7. Pulse until all of the ingredients are well combined into a smooth puree.
Taste, and season with more salt, if necessary.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! I air fry my garlic because it’s faster. But you can place the garlic head (with top chopped off) onto a baking sheet or baking tray lined with either aluminum foil or parchment paper, and bake at 400°F for 35-45 minutes.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
🍽 Serving ideas
We love serving this roasted garlic butternut squash dip simply with sliced baguette. You could also serve this with crackers.
Other creative ways to serve this dip:
- Stuffed mushrooms – Use the butternut squash dip as a filling for vegan stuffed mushrooms. Mix it with some breadcrumbs, herbs, and cheese, then stuff into mushroom caps and bake until golden.
- Flatbread topping – Spread the dip on a flatbread or naan as a base. Top with caramelized onions, goat cheese, arugula, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a delicious appetizer or light meal.
- Grilled cheese sandwich – Add a layer of butternut squash dip inside a grilled cheese sandwich. Pair it with sharp cheddar or gouda for a creamy, savory twist.
- Pasta sauce – Thin out the dip with some vegetable or chicken broth and use it as a creamy pasta sauce. Toss with your favorite pasta, sautéed spinach, and toasted pine nuts for a comforting meal.
- Taco filling – Use the dip as a base for tacos. Combine it with black beans, roasted veggies, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese for a unique, vegetarian taco option.
- Pizza base – Swap out traditional pizza sauce for butternut squash dip on your next pizza. Top our easy homemade pizza dough with sage, prosciutto, and mozzarella for a savory, autumn-inspired pizza.
- Layered Dip – Create a layered dip by alternating the butternut squash dip with layers of black beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and shredded cheese. Serve with tortilla chips for a colorful and tasty appetizer.
- Empanada Filling – Use the dip as a filling for empanadas. Mix in some cooked chorizo or roasted veggies, seal in pastry dough, and bake until golden brown.
- Soup Garnish – Swirl a spoonful of butternut squash dip into a bowl of soup, like our cauliflower carrot soup or lentil soup, for added flavor and creaminess.
- Breakfast Toast – Spread the dip on whole-grain toast, then top with a poached egg, some avocado slices, and a sprinkle of chili flakes for a nutritious and delicious breakfast option.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
When pairing butternut squash with wine, there are two white wines that I find pair deliciously with this fall veggie.
- Chardonnay – A medium-bodied, lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the creamy texture and slightly sweet, nutty flavor of the butternut squash. The wine’s notes of apple, pear, and subtle vanilla harmonize well with the dip, making it a balanced pairing.
- Sauvignon Blanc – A crisp, acidic Sauvignon Blanc contrasts nicely with the richness of the dip. Its bright citrus and green apple flavors, along with herbal notes, help to cleanse the palate, making it a refreshing companion to the earthy sweetness of the butternut squash.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you’ll need:
- Air fryer – You can use any 6 quart or larger air fryer. I’m using my Ninja Foodi 8-quart XL Deluxe Air Fryer to roast the garlic in half the time it would take in the oven.
- Food processor – Use a food processor to easily and quickly make this delicious dip.
More fall recipes
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Butternut Squash Dip with Air Fryer Roasted Garlic
Equipment
- 1 high-powered blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 can 15oz (425g ) can Farmer’s Market Foods Organic Butternut Squash Puree
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- coarse sea salt
- 1 large head garlic, with ¼” cut off the top to expose garlic cloves
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Cayenne pepper and red chili flakes, to taste
- Optional to make a warm dip: 1 cup of your choice of shredded cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° degrees. Arrange garlic head with ¼” cut off the top in the center of parchment-lined foil. Drizzle with oil and wrap tightly. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast until garlic is tender and slightly golden, about 40-45 minutes.
- Once cooled, squeeze each clove of roasted garlic into a blender or food processor with the butternut squash puree, olive oil, lemon juce, tahini, and turmeric and blend until smooth. Season to your liking with salt, cayenne, and chili flakes.
- Optional: If you’d like a warm and cheesy dip, transfer the mixture to an oven-friendly baking dish. Mix in half of the cheese, and then sprinkle the rest on top. Bake at 400°F until the cheese is golden brown and bubble on top. Serve warm with your favorite bread, crackers, or veggies.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe is sponsored by and adapted from Farmers Market Foods. All photos, opinions, and text are my own.
