I admit it; I’m totally addicted to the Terra sweets and beets chips. Since I love them so much, I figured why not try to replicate the same flavors in an easy side dish? These air fryer beets and sweet potatoes are so easy, delicious, and perfect for fall!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love making roasted air fryer beets and sweet potatoes. They only take 15-20 minutes to come out perfectly cooked, meaning that’s about half the time required to roast them in a conventional oven!
You’ll still get the same beautiful caramelization on the edges of your root vegetables with a fork tender inside, so all the flavor and texture is there, with way less time needed. That’s always a win in my book!
I keep mine simple, using just olive oil, salt, and pepper for seasoning, for a grand total of 5 ingredients. Of course, you can jazz them up any way you like, or to compliment your main dishes.
Both beets and sweet potatoes have natural sweetness that really shines when roasted, bringing a lot of great flavor to the table.
They made a perfect fall side dish to any meal, but they’re equally great atop a nice harvest salad (I love to add some goat cheese crumbles too)!
Katie’s tip
You can also blend these earthy flavors with sweet and tart by pairing with my Beet Pomegranate Lemonade!
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredients List
- 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½” cubes (about 2 cups)
- 2-3 medium whole beets, peeled and diced into ½” cubes (about 1 cup)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or more to taste)
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Feel free to use pre-cubed sweet potatoes from the store to save time and effort!
- Any variety of beets works totally fine, including standard red beets, yellow golden beets, or striped beets for a unique look!
- Instead of olive oil, you can use avocado oil, refined coconut oil, or a similar high smoke point oil of choice
- Other great seasoning options: garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, or cayenne pepper. For a sweet option, add ½ tsp cinnamon and 1 Tbsp drizzle of maple syrup or honey
- Sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese before serving for a tangy variation!
Step By Step Directions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
- In a mixing bowl, toss the diced sweet potatoes and beets with the olive oil, salt, and pepper, stirring to evenly coat
- Spread the vegetables into the preheated air fryer basket or rack in a single layer (slight overlap is alright, but otherwise cook in batches for best results)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 15 minutes, pausing around halfway through to shake the basket (I use a spatula to stir them around), or until they are fork tender and browned to your liking
- Serve hot or warm
What to Serve With Roasted Beets and Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted pork loin
- Ham
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Lamb
- Duck
- Roasted beef
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Arugula salad
- Salad nicoise
- Chickpeas
- Hummus
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Goat cheese
- Sour cream
Try air fryer beets and sweet potatoes with my Air Fryer Ham Steak, Air Fryer Cornish Hens, Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Salmon, Air Fryer Chickpeas With Indian Seasoning, or alongside some Air Fryer Burnt Ends on a hearty harvest salad!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Air Fry Beets and Sweet Potatoes Together?
Absolutely! Beets and sweet potatoes can be air fried together as long as you cut them into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
Just remember to toss them occasionally to promote good air circulation and even heating.
How Do I Prevent Beets and Sweet Potatoes From Becoming Too Dry?
To prevent dryness, coat the vegetables lightly with olive oil or your preferred cooking oil before air frying. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.
Make sure to not overcook them too much, though feel free to add a little extra time for more browning. If they begin to wrinkle, they are drying out too much.
Can I Season My Beets and Sweet Potatoes With Herbs and Spices Before Roasting?
Absolutely! Seasoning your beets and sweet potatoes with herbs and spices can enhance the flavor. Consider using ingredients like rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, or paprika.
Toss the vegetables with the seasonings and the oil to coat them evenly for an extra burst of flavor.
What Are the Best Setting For Air Frying Beets and Sweet Potatoes?
For beets and sweet potatoes, a temperature of 400°F (200°C) works well. Cook them for approximately 15-20 minutes, but remember that actual cooking times may vary based on your specific air fryer and the size of your vegetable cubes.
Be sure to check for doneness with a fork or skewer. They should piece easily with no resistance.
Can I Use Frozen Vegetables?
Yes, you can use frozen beets and sweet potatoes in the air fryer, so long as they are cut into similar sizes already. The cooking time is actually about the same, and they may be cooked directly from frozen.
Note that you will achieve less vibrant colors, though, than using fresh versions. However, frozen is definitely possible if that’s all you have.
Tips For the Best Roasted Beets and Sweet Potatoes
- Cut your vegetables into even size cubes as much as possible. This will ensure the most even cooking!
- I use a regular vegetable peeler to skin both my beets and potatoes. Note that beets will stain your hands red very easily! Feel free to wear gloves, or peel them under a slow stream of water to combat this
- My beets and sweet potatoes were perfectly cooked after 15 minutes total in a Ninja air fryer. Other makes and models may vary slightly. Make sure to add additional time in small (1-2 minute increments) so as to not overcook and burn
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. For longer term storage, wrap well and store in the freezer for up to 6 months
- To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, until warmed through, or microwave on high for 45-60 seconds
More Beet Recipes
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re also a fan of sweet and beets, or you’re just looking for a simple root vegetable side dish for fall, you’ll love these roasted air fryer beets and sweet potatoes.
With just 5 simple ingredients and 15 minutes of cooking time, it’s a no-fuss way to roast vegetables and turn out a delicious dish. Plus, the beautiful colors are so vibrant, it looks elegant enough for company as well as being convenient enough for a weeknight!
Plus, this dish is naturally gluten free and vegetarian friendly as well, meaning it fits a variety of different dietary needs!
Katie’s tip
If you’re still looking for more options to cook your favorite root vegetable, then don’t miss my Easy Air Fryer Beet Recipes! You’ll find something to cure your cravings whether it’s breakfast, a snack, or dinner!
Simple Roasted Air Fryer Beets and Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- Vegetable knife
Ingredients
- 3 Medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½" cubes (about 2-3 cups)
- 2-3 Medium beets, peeled and diced into ½" cubes (around 1 cup)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tsp salt (or more to taste)
- ½ Tsp black pepper (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (or add a few minutes to cooking time if you skip this step)
- In a mixing bowl, toss the diced sweet potatoes and beets with the olive oil, salt, and pepper, stirring to evenly coat3 Medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½" cubes, 2-3 Medium beets, peeled and diced into ½" cubes, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tsp salt, ½ Tsp black pepper
- Spread the vegetables into the preheated air fryer basket or rack in a single layer (slight overlap is alright, but otherwise cook in batches for best results)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 15 minutes, pausing around halfway through to shake the basket (I use a spatula to stir them around), until they are fork tender and browned to your liking
- Top with any toppings desired, and serve hot or warm
Notes
- Feel free to use pre-cubed sweet potatoes from the store to save time and effort!
- Any variety of beets works totally fine, including standard red, yellow, or striped beets for a unique look!
- Other great seasoning options: garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, or cayenne pepper. For a sweet option, add ½ tsp cinnamon and 1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
- Top with crumbled goat cheese or feta for a tangy variation!
- Cut your vegetables into similar size cubes as much as possible to ensure even cooking
- I use a regular vegetable peeler to peel both my beets and potatoes. Note that beets will stain your hands red very easily! Feel free to wear gloves, or peel them under a slow stream of water to combat this
- My beets and sweet potatoes were perfectly cooked after 15 minutes total in a Ninja air fryer. Other makes and models may vary slightly. Make sure to add additional time in small (1-2 minute increments) so as to not overcook and burn
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on size, brand, and variety of ingredients, any sauces, toppings, or sides added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
