The air fryer is such a great way to prepare beets! It gives you the same roasted flavor in way less time than the oven, and it’s less messy than boiling too. So, if you’re looking to make the most of your root vegetables, then I’ve got 12 of the best air fryer beet recipes you need to try!
Why Choose the Air Fryer For Cooking Beets
The air fryer is an excellent cooking method for roasted beets for several reasons:
Faster Cooking Time
Compared to traditional roasting methods, air frying significantly reduces the cooking time of beets.
Since air fryers use rapid air circulation to cook evenly and quickly, it often requires only half the time it would take to roast beets in an oven!
Better Texture
Air frying creates beautiful caramelized edges while keeping the inside tender, which is ideal for beets.
This method allows you to achieve the perfect balance of drawing out the beets’ natural sweetness, while maintaining a soft, flavorful inside!
Retains Nutrients
Since the cooking time is shorter and less oil is needed, air frying helps preserve the nutrients in beets, such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like folate and potassium.
This makes it a healthier option compared to boiling (where it loses a lot of nutrients) or frying in oil (which of course adds excess oil to the dish)!
So, let me hop into some of the amazing air fryer beet recipes you can try!
Quick + Easy Recipes
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Let’s kick things off right at the beginning with an appetizer! This roasted beet hummus is a delicious dip recipe made with air fryer roasted beets.
The result is a creamy, vibrantly colored app or snack option that you can serve up everywhere from game day to Thanksgiving, as it’s both gorgeous and delicious.
Pair it with some pita chips, fresh vegetables, or your favorite crackers as dippers for a crowd-pleasing option.
Looking for more options to complete your spread for entertaining? Check out all of my amazing Air Fryer Dip Recipes to find more inspiration!
Did you know you can have beets for breakfast too? Add a roasted beet to your waffle batter for a breakfast that’s naturally vibrantly colored, and has added nutritional benefits too!
Plus, the flavor of the beet is pretty well masked, for hidden veggies that will pass the picky eater test! You can make these fun beet waffles in your air fryer with some molds, or pop it in a waffle iron instead – the choice is yours!
The red color makes them great for fall, Valentine’s, and even Christmas, so you can enjoy them anytime. Plus, they freeze well, so whip up a big batch and save the rest for later!
For another great fall flavor, try my 3 Ingredient Air Fryer Pumpkin Waffles as well – you could even mix and match with the beet ones for a festive fall plate!
For an incredibly simple air fryer beet recipe, you’ve got to try these whole roasted beets in foil! Your beets come out caramelized, tender, and absolutely delicious.
Plus, with the use of foil, there’s almost no cleanup! Just discard the foil and the mess is gone.
This is one of my favorite recipes because it saves time over the oven, and is the perfect base for literally any recipe that calls for roasted beets.
Sure, you can serve them as is with your favorite seasonings, but you can also add roasted beets to salads, soups, blended in drinks, and even in the waffles and hummus above!
If you’re in an even bigger hurry, make sure to check out my recipe for Microwave Beets for a quicker cooking alternative. They don’t get the same caramelization, but they are super convenient!
Cut up those whole beets before roasting to save time with these tasty air fryer beet wedges!
You’ll save about 10 minutes of cooking time over the whole ones. The downside is that you have to chop up the harder, uncooked beets, but I still find it to be a time saver!
Plus, then these beet wedges are ready to serve when they’re done without needing to fuss with them further. They’re perfect as a standalone side dish or a salad topper in particular!
Your seasoning options are very versatile too, so feel free to adjust them to coordinate with your other dishes, or for personal preferences.
Beets and Brussels are a classic combination, and a great side dish option when it comes to air fryer beet recipes!
They cook together in your air fryer, for tender beets and crispy sprouts with charred edges in only about 20 minutes (of course, it can vary by the size of your specific veggies).
I use a classic combination of garlic and balsamic vinegar to season mine, but you can change it up for your favorites! My Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts With Bacon and maple syrup offer another great choice (so long as you’re not looking for a vegetarian option)!
For a side that’s a little sweeter, how about my honey roasted air fryer beets and carrots? See, both beets and carrots are root vegetables that get sweeter as you roast them, and the air fryer does a great job of getting them to their max potential.
Top them with a little honey for added sweetness, butter for a decadent finish, and some herbs to bring it all together.
Air fryer beets and carrots cook up in just about 20 minutes (as long as you cut similar sizes) for a side that’s easy enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for entertaining or the Thanksgiving table!
Need a faster option? My Air Fryer Carrots With Brown Sugar only take about 10 minutes to cook, and have a similar flavor profile (just without the beets).
For a different orange vegetable pairing, how about my air fryer beets and sweet potatoes? This elegant air fryer beet side dish recipe is perfect for fall, from busy weeknights to your Thanksgiving table.
Cubed beets and sweet potatoes roast to perfection in around 15 minutes in your air fryer, for a side that’s simple yet delicious!
I season mine simply, with just a little olive oil and salt & pepper, but you can customize it to your liking with fresh herbs, or other seasonings and spices as you like.
If you love sweet potatoes, also make sure to check out my Air Fryer Hasselback Sweet Potatoes, which are topped with a sweet cinnamon pecan crumble!
These crispy, crunchy, and delicious air fryer beet chips are the perfect recipe choice to satisfy that snack craving!
See, thanks to the air fryer, you can get that classic chip texture, but with way less oil than deep frying. Plus, you get the healthy benefits of beets too!
Season them any way you like your chips (though I love a good salt and vinegar combination with beets). Serve alongside a sandwich, eat them by the handful for a snack, or use them as dippers for your favorite veggie dips!
If you’re missing the standard potato, though, you can always make my Ninja Air Fryer Potato Chips too for a lower-oil option!
A slightly different option from traditional chips, you can also dehydrate your beets in the air fryer!
Instead of just getting a fast, crispy outside, dehydrating uses a low temperature for longer (around 4 hours) to really dry out your beets into a crunchy chip.
The benefit of dehydration is removing the moisture, which allows you to preserve your food much longer – generally up to 6 months if you store them right!
They’re also not seasoned like a traditional chip, but still make for a great healthy snack on the go, or you can use dehydrated beets as a dipper as well (they’re great paired with a vegetable dip)!
Beet fries are the veggie-forward answer to french fries, and are a delicious air fryer beet recipe you can make!
All you need is a little oil (way less than deep frying) and some seasonings of choice, and your air fryer can help you turn out perfectly caramelized edges on your tender beet fries.
Serve them just like you would any other fry – alongside a burger, with a sandwich, or as dippers with a vegetable dip or creamy sauce. Beet fries are very versatile and make a great snack, side, or appetizer depending on the accompaniments!
Make a vibrant, flavorful beet curry in your air fryer! This delicious recipe features tender beets in a coconut-milk based spiced (but not spicy) sauce.
Beet curry is most often served as a side dish, alongside other curries, but you could also add rice, bread, and other vegetables to bulk it up enough for a main course if you prefer!
Despite being bursting with flavor, this dish is still naturally gluten free and vegan, so it works with a variety of different dietary needs (but is so delicious you’ll still enjoy it even if you don’t have any restrictions).
This is another great air fryer beet recipe that cuts down on cooking time versus traditional methods, coming in at only 30 minutes. Check out more of my Air Fryer Indian Recipes to find some perfect pairings for your beet curry that are equally convenient!
Tired of beets turning your fingers red when you’re peeling and cutting them? Then try a frozen root vegetable blend instead! There’s no chopping required, just season, dump, and cook.
While different blends may have different vegetables, common root blends include beets, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash. It’s the perfect fall medley, making for a delicious roasted root veggie mix.
The air fryer does a great job of delivering tender vegetables with caramelized edges in less time than the oven, and the frozen blend makes it more convenient – even easy enough for busy weeknights!
For more fast options, make sure to check out all of my Air Fryer Frozen Side Dishes to see all of the great choices!
What Goes Good With Beets?
Trying to figure out how to complete your meal or expand your palette? Here are some of the foods that pair well with your beetroot!
Proteins and Cheese
- Feta cheese
- Goat cheese
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Beef
- Pork
- Duck
- Kielbasa
- Veggie burgers
My Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Breasts have complimentary citrus notes, while Air Fryer Bruschetta Chicken pairs well with tomatoes and balsamic.
Quick caramelized Air Fryer Kielbasa is also a great choice, or Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls pair perfectly with beets on a salad!
Vegetables and Fruits
- Cabbage
- Onions
- Carrots
- Brussels sprouts
- Fennel
- Radishes
- Parsnip
- Sweet potatoes
- Lemon
- Apples
- Blueberry
- Orange
- Arugula
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Pistachio
Try my Air Fryer Parsnip Fries, Air Fryer Cabbage and Onions, Honey Roasted Pecans in the Air Fryer, or Caramelized Onions in the Air Fryer for some great pairing options!
Herbs and Spices
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Dill
- Mint
- Thyme
- Ginger
- Cardamom
- Tarragon
- Chives
- Turmeric
- Mustard
Recipe FAQs
Can You Do Beets in an Air Fryer?
Absolutely! You can prepare beets in an air fryer in all sorts of ways, from whole roasted to cubes, crispy chips and fries, or even in waffles.
The air fryer roasts the beets to get caramelized edges, bringing out the natural sweetness of the root vegetable, while ensuring a tender inside. It’s also a time-saving option compared to roasting in a traditional oven!
What Are Some Popular Air Fryer Beet Recipes?
Some of the most popular air fryer beet recipes include beet chips, roasted beet cubes, and beet fries.
Seasonings like garlic powder, rosemary, or balsamic are the most popular additions aside from salt and pepper that can be added for extra flavor.
How Do You Prepare Beets For Air Frying?
To prepare beets for the air fryer, you should always wash and dry them, and remove the roots and any greens. Peel if desired (or if required for the recipe), and cut them into evenly sized cubes or slices (unless roasting whole).
It’s important to make sure your beet pieces are evenly sized (and similarly sized to other vegetables if you’re cooking a combined dish) to promote the most even cooking.
Do You Have to Peel Beets Before Cooking?
No, you do not have to peel beets before cooking. The skin can usually be rubbed off afterwards if they are steamed, or you can leave the skin on in many cases. Largely, it’s personal preference.
If you are slicing the beets for chips, or if you plan to blend the beets to make a smoothie, drink, or batter, then you definitely do not need to peel them!
How Long Does It Take To Cook Beets In An Air Fryer?
In general, it takes about 15-20 minutes at 375°F (190°C) to cook beet slices or cubes, flipping them or shaking the basket every so often for even cooking.
Note that the cooking time for beets in an air fryer varies based on the size and thickness of the beet pieces, as well as your specific air fryer, so consider this a general guideline.
Final Thoughts
There are so many great air fryer beet recipes to explore! Who knew these root vegetables were so versatile? From breakfast to appetizers, side dishes to snacks, and even convenient frozen options, you’ll find something for every taste and need!
The air fryer is the perfect choice in cooking appliance, since it makes your beets perfectly caramelized, which brings out their natural sweetness. It’s faster than the oven, and delivers a better texture (at least I think) than the microwave.
So, if you’re looking to make use of some of this delicious root vegetable this fall (or really anytime honestly), then give some of these amazing air fryer beet recipes a try to see all the great dishes you can create!
