My air fryer beets turn out tender and flavorful in just 25 minutes! The Air fryer roasts them much faster than the oven. The beet pieces come out tender inside with slightly crispy and caramelized edges. These beets are great as a delicious side dish, salad topper or veggie appetizer.
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Why the Air Fryer Is my Favorite Way to Roast Beets
Roasting beets in air fryer has become my go-to method because it's quick, reliable and brings out so much flavor. Growing up, beets were a staple in Ukraine. We ate them all the time, but mostly boiled in salads, pickled, or in soups like Borscht. When I moved to the U.S., I started noticing how often people roast vegetables with olive oil, so I naturally began doing the same with beets using my oven and later my air fryer air fryer. Air fryer takes much less time and you can skip all the preheating. I loved that texture is firmer than boiled beets, they also get slightly caramelized and become naturally sweeter. But I felt like something was missing. I wanted them to shine as a dish on their own, so I started experimenting with seasonings and came up with a spice blend that adds more depth and warmth. I can tell you that with this recipe, those simple beets will turn into a flavorful side dish you will actually crave.
One little tip when buying the beets is to look for smaller ones. Smaller beets are usually sweeter and have milder, less earthy taste. In Ukraine, we would usually use smaller beets for cooking and feed very larger ones to farm animals.
Nataliia
Ingredients you will need
You can find the ingredients quantities in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Beets: Whole, fresh beetroots. Choose small or medium for sweeter taste.
- Oil: I used extra virgin olive oil as it adds some flavor. You can also use avocado or other vegetable oil you have.
- Spice mix: My spice mix for roasted beets includes salt, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Step-by-step directions
Step 1. Wash and scrub the beets well under running cold water to get rid of any dirt and debris. Peel beets using a knife or a vegetable peeler just like a potato.
Note: Wear the gloves to avoid staining your hands. But if you wash them right away, the red color comes off easily with a dish-washing liquid.
Step. 2 Cut each beet into 1-2 inch chunks or cubes. I usually cut small beets into 4 pieces and medium size beets in to 8 pieces. Try to make them the same size.
Step 4. Place beet cubes into the medium-sized bowl. Add olive oil and salt for now. Mix well to coat. Transfer them into the air fryer basket. The beets should be in a single layer for even cooking. If they do not fit, roast them in batches. Air fry the beet for about 15 minutes at 400°F shaking them about halfway through.
Note: When cooking in air fryer, I add seasonings later to prevent them from burning. Burnt spices will taste bitter and lose all the amazing favors. If you only use salt and pepper, simply roast them for 20 minutes or until fork tender.
Step 4. While the beets are air frying, mix paprika, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and black pepper in a small bowl. Remove partially cooked beets and place them into the bowl. Add the spice mix and toss to coat.
Step 5. Add seasoned beets back in the air fryer and cook for another 7-12 minutes at 375°F or until fork tender and slightly caramelized.
When done, squeeze about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice over the cooked beets. It is optional but adds a nice tang to the beets. I also add some fresh chopped parsley on top for serving.
Expert Tips
- Uniform pieces: cut the beets into about 1-inch pieces or chunks for even cooking.
- Shake and toss: about halfway through cooking time, remove the basket and give it a shake.
- Cooking time: cooking time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer. I used the Ninja brand for this recipe.
- When to add spice mix: add any spice mix or herbs only during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time to prevent them from burning and turning bitter.
How to Store And Reheat Cooked Beets
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat: You can enjoy them cold or reheat them in a microwave, oven or air fryer.
Note: Keep fresh, unwashed beets in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Remove the greens before storing for freshness.
Ways to Serve
- Side dish: serve them warm with any main dish, such as baked duck, spatchcock chicken, mushroom risotto). You can also sprinkle the beets with feta cheese.
- Salad toppers: you add them to any salad or even a grain bowl. Our favorite is the arugula salad with goar cheese.
- Appetizer: serve them as an appetizer alongside dips, chips, and crackers.
Frequently asked questions
No, you do not need to peel the beets. But when air frying or roasting them cubed, I recommend peeling the skin for a smoother texture and a more uniform appearance.
You can roast whole beets in air fryer, but it will take much longer. If you decide to roast them whole, pick smaller beets, do not peel the skin, and consider wrapping them in foil for even cooking.
The cooking time for beet cubes in an air fryer depends on their size and your specific air fryer model. Usually, it takes around 15-25 minutes, but it's important to check for doneness by piercing them with a fork or knife.
More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
- Air fryer crispy Brussels sprouts
- Air fryer zucchini fries
- Air fryer carrots and potatoes
- Air fryer butternut squash cubes
- Air fryer baby potatoes
More Ways to Cook Beets
- Boiled beets or beets in pressure cooker - best for recipe where you need soft texture such as risotto, waffles, pancakes.
- Microwaved beets - quick and convenient for small batches.
- Roasted beets in the oven - perfect for when cooking for a crowd.
- Roasted yellow beets - they have sweeter taste and milder flavor.
📖 Recipe
Quick Air Fryer Beets
Equipment
- medium bowl
- Air fryer I used Ninja XL
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 3 medium beets
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon coriander
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and scrub the beets well. Peel the skin off with a knife or veggie peeler.
- Prepare the seasoning mix by combining 1 teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon coriander, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ cumin, ¼ cinnamon, ¼ black pepper.
- Cut the beets into 1-2 inch chunks or cubes and place them in a bowl.
- Add ½ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoon olive oil to the beets. Toss well to coat.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the beets in air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for about 15 minutes at 400°F. Transfer half roasted beets back to the bowl. Add the prepared seasoning and a splash of oil. Toss well to coat.
- Add seasoned beets back to the air fryer basket and air fry for another 7-12 minutes at 375°F or until fork tender. When cooked, squeeze some lemon juice on top and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Jennifer L MacNeill says
Easy and delicious. I definitely recommend the spice mix!