Description
A vibrant and flavorful air fryer traybake featuring harissa-spiced sausages alongside roasted butternut squash, red peppers, onions, and garlic. This easy, one-basket recipe combines smoky, spicy, and citrusy notes, finished with fresh dark green leaves and an optional dollop of natural yogurt for added creaminess.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 small butternut squash, roughly chopped (no need to peel)
- 1 red pepper, roughly chopped
- 1 red onion, cut into 8 wedges
- 4 garlic cloves, lightly bashed
- 100g dark green leaves (such as kale or cavolo nero), roughly sliced
Proteins & Flavorings
- 4–6 sausages
- 2–3 tbsp harissa, to taste
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1½ tbsp rapeseed oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Serving
- Natural yogurt, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer and Roast Butternut Squash: Heat the air fryer to 200°C (about 390°F). In a bowl, toss the roughly chopped butternut squash with 1 tablespoon rapeseed oil, a generous pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Place the seasoned squash into the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes to start the roasting process.
- Add Peppers, Onions, and Garlic: While the squash cooks, drizzle the remaining ½ tablespoon of rapeseed oil into the same bowl. Toss in the roughly chopped red pepper, red onion wedges, and lightly bashed garlic cloves. After the initial 10 minutes, add these vegetables to the air fryer basket with the squash. Shake the basket gently to combine, then cook for an additional 15 minutes to allow the vegetables to roast and soften.
- Prepare and Add Sausages with Harissa and Lemon: In the original bowl, combine the sausages with harissa paste and lemon juice, mixing well to coat all the sausages evenly with the spicy and citrusy flavors. Add the coated sausages to the air fryer basket and toss everything together to incorporate the flavors. Cook for 15 minutes more, ensuring the sausages are fully cooked and nicely charred.
- Incorporate Greens and Finish Cooking: Add the roughly sliced dark green leaves (kale or cavolo nero) to the air fryer basket with the rest of the ingredients. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the greens have wilted and all components are hot and tender.
- Serve: Transfer the harissa sausage and vegetable traybake to plates and serve immediately. For added creaminess and balance, offer natural yogurt on the side as an optional accompaniment.
Notes
- Use sausages of your choice; spicy or herbed varieties work well with harissa.
- Adjust harissa quantity according to your preferred spice level.
- Do not peel the butternut squash to save time; the skin softens during roasting.
- The recipe can be adapted for gluten-free by choosing gluten-free sausages and harissa.
- If you do not have an air fryer, this traybake can be roasted in an oven at 200°C for approximately 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: North African-inspired
Keywords: harissa sausages, air fryer, traybake, butternut squash, roasted vegetables, quick dinner, healthy, spicy sausage
