Air Fryer Parsnip Fries

Air fryer parsnip fries are an easy side dish that is healthy, nutritious, and tastes so good with your favorite dipping sauce. Next time you go to the grocery store, grab some parsnips to make this delicious air fryer recipe. 

I love using my air fryer for a variety of recipes that require frying or baking. You can make a fried healthy vegetable side dish by using just a bit of oil.

An air fryer can come in handy while you use the oven to make other dishes. It allows me to make healthy sides in no time.

Jump to:

• What are parsnips
• Why you will love this air fryer parsnips
• Ingredients
• Dipping Sauce Ingredients
• Step-by-step-directions
• Dipping sauce instructions
• Serving suggestions
• Tips for success
• Recommended equipment
• How to store and reheat
• Recipe variations
• Common questions
• Other air fryer recipes you may like
• 📖 Recipe

What are parsnips

Parsnips are root vegetables related to carrots and parsley. This root vegetable has a sweet flavor and earthy taste. Its flavor is more complicated than carrots. Fresh parsnips are available at grocery stores at any time of year, but their peak season is winter.

These root veggies are rich in fiber, Vitamins, and minerals. Lots of people pass by the parsnips in the produce section because they are not sure if they taste good and how to cook them. This air fryer parsnip fries recipe can be a great start to trying this amazing root vegetable.

Why you will love this air fryer parsnips

• a healthy swap for potatoes when making french fries (or even sweet potato fries).
• cooking in an air fryer requires less oil.
• parsnips are rich in calcium, potassium, zinc, and vitamins C and K.
• they go well with my favorite Utah fry sauce (recipe included in this post) or any other dips such as ketchup, mustard, or mayo.
• great way to include more vegetables in your family's diet.
• this recipe is vegan and paleo when served without Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

• Parsnips - I used medium parsnips. Larger or medium parsnips are much easier to peel and cut into fries. When picking parsnips make sure they are fresh and the ends are not wilted. Older parsnips might be stringy.
• Olive Oil - I used a small amount of oil to air fry parsnip fries. Extra virgin olive or avocado oil works great.
• Sea Salt - you will need a little salt to make these fries when serving with a savory dipping sauce.
• Garlic Powder - we are adding only this one spice not to ruin parsnip's natural flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese (optional) - I like to sprinkle Parmesan cheese on cooked Parmesan fries for some cheese flavor. You can skip the cheese.
• Fresh Parsley (optional) - add chopped parsley on top of cooked fries for extra flavors and a festive look.

Dipping Sauce Ingredients

My favorite way to serve this parsnip fries is along with this Utah fry sauce. It is easy to make and you more likely have already all the ingredients in your fridge.

• Mayo (½ cup)
• Ketchup (¼ cup)
• Dill Pickle Brine (2 teaspoons)
• Paprika (½ teaspoon)
• Worcestershire sauce (¼ teaspoon)
• Onion Powder (¼ teaspoon)

See the recipe card for quantities

Step-by-step-directions

Wash and Peel Parsnips - first, rinse the parsnips under cold water to get rid of any dirt. Trim tops and bottoms. Use a knife or a veggie peeler to remove the thin skin. Same as you would peel the carrots. You should always peel parsnips, especially if eating in large quantities. More details about it at the "tips for success" section.

Cut Parsnips - now, cut parsnips into fries or chips. You can make them thinner or thicker - up to your liking. I keep them thicker, it prevents fries from being too dry and still leaves parsnips with crispy edges to enjoy. First, I cut the vegetable in half. This way helps us to divide a vegetable into wide and narrow chunks. Now, cut each part in half lengthwise. You will basically quarter the vegetable. Slice each quarter into chips. The wide half will have a wider chip, so you may need to slice them in half (see the picture below).

Season - place parsnip fries in a large mixing bowl. Now, add salt, garlic powder, and olive oil. Mix to coat each fries with oil and seasoning. Set seasoned parsnips aside for 10 minutes. They will marinate a little bit and absorb seasoning better.

Air Fry - preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 390°F. Now, add parsnip fries distributing them evenly at the bottom of the air fryer basket. Air fry parsnips for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and soft inside, tossing them halfway, at 390°F. Transfer fries into a bowl or a basket for serving.

Sprinkle with Parmesan and Parsley - this step is optional but grated Parmesan and fresh herbs (parsley, dill, or cilantro) are a good way to dress your cooked parsnip chips when serving for your family or friends. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Dipping sauce instructions

Measure - Measure all the required ingredients and add them to a small bowl.

Mix - Whisk everything until one consistency. Serve as a dipping sauce for your parsnip fries.

The dipping sauce recipe makes ⅓ cup of dipping sauce. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about one week.

Serving suggestions

• Parsnip fries are a perfect side dish. It goes well with many main dishes, such as grilled chicken, meatloaf, and pork chops.
• These fries can be a great healthy snack for kids. This is an easy way to increase the vegetable intake in the kids' diet.
• You can serve these parsnip chips with so many dipping sauces: ketchup, mustard, thousand island dressing, BBQ sauce, garlic aioli, or my favorite Utah fry sauce.

Tips for success

• Always peel your parsnips when eating in large quantities or when serving them to small kids. Parsnip's skin has a higher concentration of the natural toxin that can irritate your digestion.
• Let the seasoned fries sit for about 10 minutes before cooking, They will marinate and taste even better.
• Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your fries and on your air fryer type.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer. It is OK if fries touch and few are on top of each other but do you best to arrange them in a single layer. If you have too much leftover parsnips, cook the second batch right away after the first one. Do not store seasoned and cut parsnips for more than 2 hours at room temperature.

Recommended equipment

• Ninja Air Fryer - you can use any other air fryer
• Set of measuring spoons
• Measuring cup - only if you are making a dipping sauce.
• Large mixing bowl and a small bowl (for the sauce)

How to store and reheat

It is best to eat parsnip fries (like any other fries) right away. But if you have some leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat the fries in your air fryer for about 2-3 minutes at 400°F.

Recipe variations

• Spicy - you can make spicy parsnip fries by adding 1 Tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and skipping the salt.
• Sweet and Spicy - add ¼ teaspoon of chili powder (or more) and 1 Tablespoon of maple syrup or honey.
• Curry - add 1 teaspoon of your favorite curry seasoning to make curry parsnip fries.
• Loaded - add your favorite toppings (shredded cheese, sliced jalapenos, chicken, avocado, sour cream, etc) to make an easy main course dish.

Common questions

Other air fryer recipes you may like

📖 Recipe