When I want chips, but don’t want the greasy, oily, deep fried kind, I make these crunchy air fryer beet chips! They’re a vibrantly colored flavorful option for a snack or side that has way less oil than their deep fried counterparts. Plus, they’re incredibly delicious too!
What Are Air Fryer Beet Chips?
Air fryer beet chips are a healthy and crispy snack made by thinly slicing fresh beets, lightly seasoning them with oil and spices, and cooking them in an air fryer until they achieve a crispy texture.
These veggie chips are an excellent alternative to traditional potato chips, as beets are rich in nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
The air fryer cooking method uses significantly less oil than traditional frying, making the chips lower in fat and calories while still delivering a satisfying crunch!
Beet chips can be seasoned with salt, pepper, or other spices like garlic powder or paprika to enhance their flavor. I’m doing a salt and vinegar version here, but you can customize them any way you like!
They make a great snack on their own or can be paired with dips like hummus or guacamole. The natural sweetness of beets really shines through with these air fried chips – in fact, I like them even more than regular potato chips!
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Salt and Vinegar Beet Chips Ingredients
- 2 medium beets, washed and dried (no need to peel, but trim roots and tops)
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar (or another vinegar of choice)
- Olive oil spray (approx 1 Tbsp)
- 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use any type of beets you like, but I use standard red ones. If they’re really big, feel free to cut them in half to make them easier to work with
- Substitute other types of vinegar instead of balsamic if desired – rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and malt vinegar are other good options
- Other high smoke point oils like avocado can be used instead of olive oil if preferred
Equipment Note
- The key to the best crunchy chips is to get even, thin slices. If you have a mandoline slicer or a slicing attachment on a food processor, this will make it much easier to achieve. If not, use a sharp knife, and carefully and slowly slice your beets for best results
How to Make Air Fryer Beet Chips
- Cut your beets into thin slices (I try for around ⅛” or less). Make sure to get them as even as possible. I halved my beets to fit in my food processor and it took less than 1 minute to slice them all into halfmoons!
- Place the sliced beets into a microwave safe bowl and cover with the balsamic vinegar. You want the vinegar to cover the beets, so if you need to add more based on the size of the beets and bowl, do so
- Microwave on high for about 5 minutes (until the vinegar is boiling). Then, let the beets sit and steep for 15 minutes. Note: if you want to skip this step, you can always just skip right to air frying the beets, and spritz vinegar over them before serving, but they’ll be less crispy this way
- Drain the beets and pat dry, then spray the sliced beets with a thin layer of olive oil spray on both sides. If you don’t have a sprayer, toss the slices in a large bowl with the oil instead, until evenly coated
- Place the beet slices into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer. A tiny amount of overlap is alright, but you don’t want to crowd them or they won’t crisp. Cook in batches if needed
- Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Remove beets when they are slightly crispy or bubbling at the edges and lay them on a plate or tray. If you leave them in too long, they’ll taste a bit burnt. It’s fine to pull ones that are done out and let others that aren’t done keep cooking
- Sprinkle chips with sea salt while they are still warm. The chips will continue to crisp slightly as they sit
- Serve with your favorite dips, or as a side to an entree of choice!
More Air Fryer Chip Recipes
- Air Fryer Banana Chips
- Crispy Air Fryer Pasta Chips
What to Serve With Beet Chips
Dips & Sauces
- Goat cheese dip
- Tzatziki
- Guacamole
- Hummus
- Spicy mayo
- Tahini
- Garlic dill dips
Try my Roasted Beet Hummus for a beet on beet pairing option!
Entrees
- Sandwiches
- Soups
- Burgers
- Green salad
- Arugula salad
- Roasted sweet potatoes
I particularly like beet chips with Spanakopita Grilled Cheese (since dill and feta are perfect complements to beets). They’re also tasty with my Air Fryer Hasselback Sweet Potatoes for a sweeter option!
Drinks
- Martinis
- Bloody Mary
- Margaritas
- Smoothies
- Lemonade
The lightly sweet and earthy flavor of beets pairs well with gin, tequila, vodka, and whiskey in particular! Choose drinks that are herbal or veggie forward – pineapple, ginger, carrot, lemon, mint, and tomato are some great options.
For beet-prominent drinks, try my Beetroot Pomegranate Lemonade or a copycat Jamba Juice Beet Smoothie!
Recipe FAQs
Why Are Air Fryer Beet Chips Healthier Than Regular Chips?
Air fryer beet chips are healthier because they require little to no oil compared to deep-fried chips, reducing calorie and fat content.
Beets are also nutrient-rich, providing fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins.
What Seasonings Work Best for Air Fryer Beet Chips?
Simple seasonings like salt and pepper work well for beet chips, but you can also experiment with flavors like garlic powder, paprika, cumin, or even a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for added depth.
This salt and vinegar recipe combines two great flavors that work with beets into one delicious chip!
How Long Do You Air Fry Beet Chips?
Beet chips typically take 8 to 12 minutes to cook in an air fryer at around 375°F, but this can vary depending on the thickness of the slices and the power of your air fryer.
Make sure to pull them when they start to crisp and bubble at the edges, as overcooking can result in a burnt flavor.
How Do You Prevent Beet Chips From Getting Soggy?
To keep beet chips crispy, ensure the slices are evenly thin and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Patting the beets dry before cooking and using a minimal amount of oil also helps prevent sogginess.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Air Fryer Beets
- I do not preheat my Ninja air fryer, and 10 minutes is perfect for my beet chips. For subsequent batches, I usually drop it to 8 minutes to account for the warmer starting temperature. Times will vary between air fryers and beet thickness, so adjust as needed
- It’s normal for the beet chips to fly around a bit if you have a powerful air fryer. When I open it to flip them, I try to spread them back out as best I can and it’s usually just fine
- Make sure to pull the chips out when the edges crisp and/or get a little bubbly. If you let them go too long, they’ll taste a little burnt (but actually not bad so if you like a little char, go for it)
Storage and Serving Tips For Beet Chips
- Once completely cooled, store any leftover beet chips in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep away from humidity for best results
- If your chips get a little soft or stale, you can pop them in the air fryer at 350°F for 1-2 minutes to recrisp them!
- These beet chips are not overpowering in terms of vinegar flavor (they’re very mild after cooking actually) so if you want a stronger vinegar like a store bought chip, you may want to sprinkle some on for serving
Final Thoughts
Air fryer beet chips are a delicious crunchy snack, and a healthier alternative to deep fried potato chips! They use far less oil, and still come out crispy.
Beet chips make a great snack, are perfect for dips, and also serve as a good side for sandwiches, soups, burgers, and more. If you’d eat it with potato chips, try it with beet chips instead!
While I make mine with salt and vinegar, there are lots of great seasoning and flavor combos you can try, so feel free to make it your own!
Looking for more great beet recipes to try? Check out my entire collection of Air Fryer Beet Recipes for inspiration and delicious options!
Air Fryer Beet Chips (Salt & Vinegar)
Equipment
- Food processor (or mandoline/knife for slicing)
Ingredients
- 2 medium beets, washed and dried (no need to peel, but trim roots and tops)
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar (or another vinegar of choice)
- Olive oil spray (or approx 1 Tbsp)
- 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Cut your beets into thin slices (I try for around ⅛” or less). Make sure to get them as even as possible. I halved my beets to fit in my food processor and it took less than 1 minute to slice them all into halfmoons!2 medium beets, washed and dried
- Place the sliced beets into a microwave safe bowl and cover with the balsamic vinegar. You want the vinegar to mostly cover the beets, so if you need to add more based on the size of the beets and bowl, do so¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- Microwave on high for about 5 minutes (until the vinegar is boiling). Then, let the beets sit and steep for 15 minutes. Note: if you want to skip this step, you can always just skip right to air frying the beets, and spritz vinegar over them before serving, but they’ll be less crispy this way
- Drain the beets and pat dry, then spray the sliced beets with a thin layer of olive oil spray on both sides. If you don’t have a sprayer, toss the slices in a large bowl with the oil instead, until evenly coatedOlive oil spray
- Place the beet slices into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer. A tiny amount of overlap is alright, but you don’t want to crowd them or they won’t crisp. Cook in batches if needed
- Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Remove beets when they are slightly crispy or bubbling at the edges and lay them on a plate or tray. If you leave them in too long, they’ll taste a bit burnt. It’s fine to pull ones that are done out and let others that aren’t done keep cooking
- Sprinkle chips with sea salt while they are still warm. The chips will continue to crisp slightly as they sit1 tsp sea salt
- Serve with your favorite dips, or as a side to an entree of choice!
Notes
- You can use any type of beets you like, but I use standard red ones. If they’re really big, feel free to cut them in half to make them easier to work with. I halve mine so they fit in my food processor for easy slicing
- Substitute other types of vinegar instead of balsamic if desired – rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and malt vinegar are other good options
- Other high smoke point oils like avocado can be used instead of olive oil if preferred
- These beet chips are not overpowering in terms of vinegar flavor (they’re very mild after cooking actually) so if you want a stronger vinegar like a store bought chip, you may want to sprinkle some on for serving
- I do not preheat my Ninja air fryer, and 10 minutes is perfect for my beet chips. For subsequent batches, I usually drop it to 8 minutes to account for the warmer starting temperature. Times will vary between air fryers and beet thickness, so adjust as needed
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and flavor of ingredients, any seasonings or toppings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
