Panko-Crusted Butternut Squash Fries with Creamy Feta Dipping Sauce

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These crispy, tender butternut squash fries are paired with a creamy feta cheese dipping sauce, creating the perfect combo of sweet and salty flavors. Optimize time by choosing pre-halved and peeled butternut squash from the prepared produce section if it's available. For a twist, try this method with other winter squash like delicata or acorn squash.

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
6
the ingredients to make the Panko-Crusted Butternut Squash Fries with Creamy Feta Dipping Sauce

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds), trimmed, peeled, halved and seeded

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 2 cups whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • Cooking spray

  • 1 cup whole-milk plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt, divided

  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • Pinch of ground pepper

Directions

a recipe photo of the Panko-Crusted Butternut Squash Fries with Creamy Feta Dipping Sauce

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  1. Position oven racks in top third and lower third; preheat to 425°F. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut squash into 1/2-inch-thick strips (about 4 to 5 inches long).

    a photo of the squashed sliced into fries

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  2. Place the squash strips in a colander placed over a large bowl; pat dry using paper towels, if needed, to remove excess moisture. Sprinkle evenly with cornstarch; toss to coat, shaking the colander to remove excess cornstarch. Discard excess cornstarch.

  3. Combine panko, onion powder and paprika in a shallow medium bowl until combined. Place eggs in a separate shallow medium bowl.

  4. Working with 1 squash piece at a time, dip in egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Dredge in panko mixture. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets, at least 1/2-inch apart. Coat the fries generously with cooking spray.

    a photo of the sliced squash dipped into batter

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  5. Bake until golden and crispy, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating baking sheets between top and bottom racks and from front to back halfway through.

  6. Meanwhile, place 1/4 cup yogurt, feta, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor; pulse until combined, about 5 pulses (the mixture will be slightly lumpy). Add the remaining 3/4 cup yogurt. With the processor running, gradually pour oil through the chute, processing until very smooth, about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Transfer to a shallow bowl; top with parsley and pepper.

    a photo of the dipping sauce ingredients in a food processor

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  7. Sprinkle the fries with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve with feta sauce.

Equipment

Parchment paper

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: about 1 cup squash & 3 1/2 Tbsp. sauce

Calories 236, Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 2g, Cholesterol 39mg, Carbohydrates 30g, Total Sugars 4g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 10g, Fiber 4g, Sodium 294mg, Potassium 415mg

EatingWell.com, February 2024

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