After many trials and errors, I found the easiest and best way to cook beets with little to no mess, and in half the time they take to roast in the oven! They are cooked to perfection in just 15 minutes and all you need is beets, olive oil, and an herb.
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ABOUT AIR FRYER BEETS
Beets are one of my absolute favorite root vegetable to incorporate in my weekly meal planning. From beet pasta, beet hummus, and of course this crowd-pleasing and wildly popular Mediterranean pickled beet salad. I make them often since they're jam-packed with antioxidants, fiber, iron, and other vitamins.
I rely on this air fryer beet recipe instead of traditional oven roasting them because it takes less than half the time, and half the mess! Another perk is little to no preheat time!
You can use red, or golden beets. I tend to go back and forth. Golden are great if you want less of a mess. I like to cut the beets into small bite sized pieces, like I show in this recipe. The benefit is, they're easier to incorporate into other dishes, like this quinoa salad.
I chose to seasoned them with just 2 simple ingredients. Salt, and rosemary. The depth of flavor in rosemary paired beautifully with the sweetness in beets.
INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED
- Large Beets. Red or golden work interchangeably. I like to scrub and peel them in the sink prior to cutting and cooking that way I'm not risking any dirt sticking around. If you like to eat the skin, you can certainly leave it on.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
- Dried Rosemary. I love adding rosemary to beets. The flavors work well together and kicks it up a notch.
- Salt: I like to use sea salt, or table salt works just fine as well.
- And of course, you'll need a good air fryer. I love using my Cuisinart air fryer for cooking big batches of food at once.
(Exact measurements are in the recipe card below)
HOW TO AIR FRY BEETS
STEP ONE. Wash and trim off the tops and tails of the beets. Then, peel them using a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife.
STEP TWO. Preheat the air fryer to 375F degrees.
STEP THREE. Cut the beets into bite sized cubes and place them in a large mixing bowl.
STEP FOUR. To the bowl of beets, add olive oil, rosemary, and salt. Mix until well coated.
STEP FIVE. Place the seasoned beets on the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 15-18 minutes, or until they become fork tender. Shake the basket half way through to allow them to cook evenly.
STEP SIX. Remove from the air fryer and serve alone, or add to your favorite dish. I like making this pickled beet salad with them!
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
- THEY COOK FAST! Air frying beets is the fastest and easiest way to cook them. Better and faster than boiling and roasting in the oven.
- VERSATILE. Eat air fried beets alone, or add to another dish.
- SIMPLE. Just a few ingredients and a massive amount of flavor and nutrients!
- EASY. Can you get any easier than turning on the air fryer and immediately cooking beets? Way easier than messing with sheets pans and boiling water.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER BEETS
- Appetizer: Salmon crudo or tuna ceviche make for a delicious light appetizer.
- Main Dish: Fish en papillote or this salmon pasta without cream recipe make a great main dish to pair with air fryer beets!
- Drink: Pair beets with this Spicy Mango Margarita or this blueberry lemon martini! Or try a dry white wine, like a Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, or Viognier. Cheers!
HOW TO STORE
Air fryer beets are best stored in a glass Tupperware to avoid staining your dishes. That way, they're easily washed off. They can keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, making them a healthy and easy meal prepping option! I like them on hand as a nutrient-dense side to meals throughout the week.
FAQs
Yes, it's best to peel beets before air frying them. Although you can leave the skin on, there tends to be some leftover dirt that can be avoided by peeling the skin altogether.
Although I love rosemary on mine, you can feel free to experiment with other spices, such as thyme, garlic powder, paprika, and basil.
This depends on what you're using them for. Ultimately, air frying beets takes less time and makes less of a mess than boiling them! I cook beets regularly, and I prefer to air fry them every chance I can!
I recommend using fresh beets for the best results. Frozen beets have a higher water content, which can affect the texture and crispiness when air fried. However, if you only have frozen beets on hand, make sure to thaw and pat them dry before air frying.
MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES
- Air fryer parsnips
- Air fryer butternut squash
- Air fryer frozen fish filet
- Air fry crab rangoon
- Air fryer shrimp
- Air fry halibut
- Air fryer sea bass
MORE RECIPES WITH BEETS TO TRY
Air Fryer Beets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large beets , about 6 cups cubes
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp crushed dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Wash the beets well. Then, peel and cut them into bite-sized cubes.
- Place the beets in a mixing bowl. Add olive oil, rosemary, and salt. Toss until well combined.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375℉. Transfer the beet to the air fryer basket and cook for about 15-18 minutes, or until the beets are fork tender.
- Remove and let cool before enjoying. Eat alone or add to another dish like this pickled beet salad.
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