Vegan Butternut Squash Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (2024)

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posted: 11/20/19 — updated: 12/07/21 by Deryn Macey Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe·5 from 1 review

This delightful, vegan butternut squash bruschetta is the perfect Fall appetizer for holiday gatherings and entertaining.

Vegan Butternut Squash Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (1)

This yummy twist on classic bruschetta is always a hit at the appy table. The squash is a little sweet and a little tangy and pairs so nicely with fresh toasted baguette. This dish works great as a holiday appetizer or for anytime you’re entertaining guests.

This recipe is vegan, refined sugar-free and can be oil-free. It can be made gluten-free if you use gluten-free bread.

Table of Contents

Squash Bruschetta Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this yummy squash appetizer:

  1. Squash. You’ll need 1 large butternut squash or about 6 cups cubed. You want a fairly small cube since we’ll be piling the mixture onto slices of baguette. See the pics below for how small to cut the squash.
  2. Baguette. Any kind of baguette works. Try Italian, French or sourdough. I like to lightly toast the baguette but it can also be left un-toasted if you prefer it a little softer.
  3. Olive oil. I used a little olive oil to roast the squash but it can be left out if you want to keep the recipe oil-free.
  4. Maple syrup. Maple syrup adds the perfect sweetness to the recipe and keeps things refined sugar-free. It can be substituted with agave or raw honey. Keep in mind honey is not vegan.
  5. Dried sage. Sage and squash are a classic combo. To keep things simple, the recipe calls for dried sage rather than fresh. If you have fresh sage on hand, use about 2 tbsp finely chopped to replace the 2 tsp dried.
  6. Balsamic vinegar. Balsamic is a must for bruschetta. Go with the best balsamic you can get your hands on…but of course, any balsamic will do.
  7. Green onion. The squash gets tossed with some fresh green onion to liven things up at the end.

Looking for a more traditional recipe? Don’t miss my vegan tomato basil bruschetta!

Vegan Butternut Squash Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (2)

How to Make Squash Bruschetta

This lovely Fall appetizer is easy to make with just a handful of simple ingredients. Here are the steps:

  1. Peel and cube the squash then mix with the garlic, balsamic vinegar, sage, oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper.
  2. Roast the squash until tender and browned.
  3. In the meantime, lightly toast the baguette. This is optional but I like it lightly toasted.
  4. Mix the roasted squash with green onion and a little addition balsamic and maple syrup.
  5. Spoon the squash mixture onto the toasted baguette and enjoy!
Vegan Butternut Squash Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (7)

More Vegan Sides

Here are some more party-friendly sides and appetizers perfect for holidays and entertaining:

  • Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
  • Spiced Chickpeas with Mushroom and Garlic
  • Skillet Green Beans with Garlic and Onions
  • Vegan Tomato Basil Bruschetta
  • Vegan Jalapeño Poppers
  • Vegan Buffalo Dip
  • Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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Vegan Butternut Squash Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (8)

Butternut Squash Bruschetta

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 1 review

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 bruschetta
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This version of bruschetta is made with maple garlic roasted butternut squash for a delicious twist on the classic that everyone will love. Perfect as a holiday appetizer!

Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch cubes (approx. 6 cups cubed)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (plus an additional 1 tsp)
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup (plus an additional 1 tsp)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp dried sage
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • 23 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 baguette, sliced into rounds
  • optional, balsamic reduction to drizzle on top, see notes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Peel and dice squash and add to a large mixing bowl. Mix with everything except the green onion and additional teaspoon of maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.
  3. Spread the butternut squash mixture on the prepared baking tray in a single layer. If you need to use 2 trays, that’s fine. Roast for 30-35 minutes until tender and starting to brown.
  4. When the squash has about 5 minutes left, place the sliced baguette on a baking tray and lightly toast in the oven. Be careful not to burn. You can also leave it un-toasted or toast it later if you’re preparing the butternut squash topping in advance.
  5. Remove squash from oven and add back into the mixing bowl. Toss with the green onion and additional teaspoon of maple syrup and balsamic.
  6. Spoon the butternut squash mixture onto the toasted pieces of baguette. Drizzle with balsamic reducing, if using. Serve right away.

Notes

To make a balsamic reduction drizzle, heat 1 cup of balsamic vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a light boil. Reduce to medium-low and lightly simmer until it’s thickened and reduced by about half, stirring occasionally. For a lightly sweetened balsamic reduction, add 1 tbsp sweetener of choice such as brown sugar, maple syrup, agave or coconut sugar.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece
  • Calories: 104
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 176 mg
  • Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g

Appetizers Recipes Thanksgiving

posted by Deryn Macey on November 20, 2019

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One comment on “Butternut Squash Bruschetta”

  1. Amy Maybon January 1, 2020 @ 5:57 pm Reply

    I made this for my family over the holidays and they loved it. No one even needed to know it was vegan. Delicious!

Vegan Butternut Squash Bruschetta Recipe - Running on Real Food (2024)

FAQs

What does butternut squash taste like? ›

Sweet, moist and nutty tasting, the flavor of butternut squash is a bit like sweet potatoes—or, some say, butterscotch. Because it's so dense, you get more servings per fruit than you might with other squash varieties. The rind is edible (once cooked), but it's more commonly peeled away.

What is the description of butternut squash? ›

Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata), known in Australia and New Zealand as butternut pumpkin or gramma, is a type of winter squash that grows on a vine. It has a sweet, nutty taste similar to that of a pumpkin. It has tan-yellow skin and orange fleshy pulp with a compartment of seeds in the blossom end.

What makes butternut squash orange? ›

Butternut squash is rich in yellow and orange antioxidants known as carotenoids, which include beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is the substance that gives butternut squash its yellow-orange hue.

Is Sweet Potato or butternut squash healthier? ›

To begin with, the butternut squash beats the sweet potato with fewer calories, carbs and sugar per serving. Moreover, it is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B6 and E. On the other hand, the sweet potato, however, provides more fiber and protein.

Is butternut squash very healthy? ›

Butternut squash offers nutritional values like vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. Health benefits of this winter squash include managing high blood pressure, preventing asthma, and promoting healthy skin and hair. Contrary to the name, winter squash is grown in the summer and harvested in the fall.

Which is healthier acorn or butternut squash? ›

Try Other Winter Squashes

For example: Acorn squash: It has less vitamin A than butternut but provides even more fiber (9 grams per cup) and potassium (896 mg). Pumpkin: This squash has beta carotene and also contains more than twice as much alpha carotene as butternut squash.

Are you supposed to eat the skin of butternut squash? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

Why is butternut squash not sweet? ›

If it's underripe, the squash won't have developed its signature taste. If it's overripe, it may be dry, mushy or flavorless. Follow these tips the next time you're at the grocery store or farmers market to find the perfect recipe-ready butternut squash.

What are two interesting facts about butternut squash? ›

It's loaded with potassium and is water-based, making it a hydrating vegetable. The more orange the color, the riper, drier and sweeter it is. It is often used in soup because it's less “stringy” than the other squashes.

What do Americans call butternut squash? ›

The vegetable squash that Americans are used to is a relative newcomer to Britain. It's usually called by its varietal name - butternut squash, acorn squash - and sometimes orange fleshed vegetables that would be called squash in the USA are lumped together as pumpkin.

How can you tell a good butternut squash? ›

The One Way To Tell Butternut Squash Is Ripe

Light to dark green spots on the skin tells you it's definitely not ready to be eaten. If the skin is very pale—more creamy white than tan—it's not ripe. Look for a rich tan, darker amber, or orange color. It should also be matte, not glossy.

Is butternut squash inflammatory? ›

Because of its high antioxidant content, butternut squash may have anti-inflammatory effects, helping you to reduce your risk of inflammation-related disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

What is the white stuff on my butternut squash? ›

The fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causes white mold. This pathogen infects a wide variety of vegetable crops including beans, carrots, tomato, cabbage and lettuce. In the cucurbit family, the disease severely affects pumpkins and some varieties of winter squash.

Can diabetics eat butternut squash? ›

Butternut squash contains a type of fiber that's not digestible. If you have diabetes, it can help keep your blood sugar from rising after eating. Butternut squash also has a low glycemic index, which means that its carbs are digested more slowly. This also helps keep blood sugar from rising.

What does butternut squash taste like when cooked? ›

Golden brown, caramelized, and seasoned with salt and pepper, it has a delectable sweet and salty taste and buttery texture. If you've never roasted butternut squash before, you have to try it this fall!

What is butternut squash similar to? ›

The Best Butternut Squash Substitutes: A Quick Look
Butternut Squash SubstituteFlavor and TextureSubstitution Ratio
Acorn SquashSubtly sweet and nutty flavor; creamy texture1:1
Hubbard SquashRich, sweet flavor; denser and more fibrous texture1:1
Kabocha SquashSweet and nutty flavor; tends to be drier and denser1:1
10 more rows
Oct 16, 2023

Does butternut squash taste like sweet potato? ›

Butternut Squash is almost exactly the same as Sweet Potato except Butternut Squash is better in every way. As far as I can tell: It's better nutritionally. It has a more subtle flavor. It seems to be more versatile.

What does cooked butternut squash taste like? ›

What does butternut squash taste like? Butternut squash has the texture of a roasted sweet potato but is a bit softer. It tastes nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet.

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