My air fryer beets turn out tender and flavorful in just 25 minutes! The Air fryer roasts them much faster than the oven. The beets come out tender inside with slightly crispy and caramelized edges.
Check out my Air Fryer Carrots Chips or Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts next
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About Air Fryer 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 began doing the same using my air fryer. Air fryer takes less time and you can skip all the preheating. Air fryer beets come out slightly firmer inside than boiled beets, and they also get slightly caramelized and become naturally sweeter. My goal was to make my family enjoy the beets as a side dish, so I started experimenting with seasonings and came up with a spice blend that adds more depth and warm flavors.
Nataliia
Ingredients you will need
You can find the ingredient quantities in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Beets: Whole, fresh beetroots. Choose small or medium beets for a sweeter taste.
- Oil: I used extra virgin olive oil is best for roasting vegetables. You can also use avocado or any other vegetable oil you have.
- Spice mix: My custom spice blend I developed for roasted beets includes salt, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Step-by-step directions
This is the recipe overview with images. The full recipe in the recipe card below this post.
Step 1. Prep and peel. Wash, scrub, and peel the beets.
Tip: Wear gloves to prevent staining!
Step. 2. Chop evenly. Cut beets into uniform 1 to 2-inch pieces, so they cook evenly.
Step 4. Initial oil and salt roast. Toss the beet cubes in olive oil and salt. Air fry them for 15 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through.
Step 4. Toss in spice blend. Transfer partially cooked beets back to the bowl, add remaining oil and the warm spice mix and toss to coat.
Note: 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 5. Finish air frying. Return to the air fryer and cook for another 7-12 minutes at 375°F or until fork tender and slightly caramelized.
Serving tip: Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top for brightens and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
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.
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.
- Salad toppers: you add them to any salad or even a grain bowl. Our favorite is the arugula salad with goat cheese.
- Appetizer: serve them as an appetizer alongside dips, chips, and crackers. You can also use them to make the beetroot hummus.
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.
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 teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon 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℉. Place the beets in air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for about 15 minutes at 400°F. Transfer half cooked beets back to the bowl. Add the prepared seasoning mix and an extra splash of oil if they look too dry. Toss very 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!