Typically, root vegetables take a long time to roast in your oven (though don’t get me wrong, they’re delicious so it’s worth it)! However, making air fryer roasted root vegetables is the shortcut you’ll love, and I’ve made it even easier by using a frozen blend to skip the peeling and chopping!
Why Roast Root Vegetables in the Air Fryer?
Roasting root vegetables in your air fryer is the perfect choice for a few reasons! First and foremost, it reduces the cooking time significantly compared to traditional roasting methods.
You can get lightly browned and caramelized root vegetables in a fraction of the time, typically around 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
There’s also way less oil required to get just as good of a textural result, which allows more of the natural vegetable to shine through with less stuff being added.
Best of all, you can cook your root veggies directly from frozen – no defrosting required! This means almost no prep time at all (and no red stained hands from peeling and chopping beets)!
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Roasted Root Vegetable Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen root vegetables, any brand
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Ingredient Tips and Notes
- Any brand of frozen root vegetables is fine. Great Value and Pictsweet are popular options. I have the Great Value blend which includes beets, carrots, parsnips, and sweet potato
- Instead of olive oil, you can use another high smoke point oil of choice, like avocado, grapeseed, or sunflower
- Seasonings are adjustable to taste. You can also add other herbs and spices as you like. Good options include thyme, rosemary, sage, or parsley. You could also add balsamic vinegar or glaze, honey, or orange just for acidity or sweetness
How to Roast Frozen Root Vegetables in the Air Fryer
- Mix your root vegetables with the olive oil, salt, and pepper, tossing to evenly coat
- Add the veggies to your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 20 minutes, pausing halfway through to stir the vegetables
- Root vegetables are done when the edges are browned and the inside is tender when tested with a fork. Add additional time if needed, as time can vary between air fryers and brands of vegetables
- Serve warm, topped with fresh herbs if desired!
Recipe FAQs
What Are The Best Root Vegetables To Roast In An Air Fryer?
The best root vegetables for air frying include sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips, and butternut squash.
These vegetables become tender inside with browned, caramelized edges, making them perfect for roasting in an air fryer.
Do You Need To Preheat The Air Fryer For Roasted Vegetables?
You do not need to preheat the air fryer for roasted root vegetables. Just make sure to stir the vegetables at least once during cooking to ensure they get evenly browned.
If you do preheat, or are starting with a warm air fryer, then you can typically reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes overall.
Can You Mix Soft And Firm Vegetables Together?
Yes, but you’ll want to start with the firm vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots, cooking them for 5-10 minutes (depending on size, they should soften slightly) before adding softer vegetables like zucchini or broccoli.
This ensures everything is cooked evenly without overcooking the softer vegetables.
Do You Need To Use Oil When Roasting Vegetables In The Air Fryer?
A small amount of oil, such as olive or avocado oil, helps the vegetables brown and crisp at the edges, but it’s not strictly necessary.
If you prefer to skip the oil, the veggies will still be tender, but expect them to not be as browned or crisp overall.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Air Fryer Root Vegetables
- Make sure not to overcrowd your basket, as this will lead to uneven cooking. Keep your veggies to a single layer and stir during cooking for best results. Cook in batches if needed for larger quantities
Storage and Reheating Tips For Root Veggies
- Store any leftover roasted root vegetables in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I do not recommend freezing them after they’ve already been cooked from frozen once, as this will make the texture deteriorate
- To reheat, air fry at a lower temperature of 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until warmed through. Times vary between air fryers and different sizes of vegetables. You can also microwave on high for around 1 minute for a faster option!
Final Thoughts
Making roasted root vegetables in your air fryer is so easy, and delivers tender veggies with browned, caramelized edges in less time than the oven! Starting with a frozen root vegetable blend is even more convenient, since there’s no peeling or cutting required.
Root veggies are incredibly versatile and perfect for fall, making a great side dish to a lot of warm, comforting meals and roasted meats. However, they’re also naturally gluten free and vegan, so you can customize your menu based on your specific dietary needs.
For more great recipes you can make with root vegetables this fall, check out all of my amazing Air Fryer Beet Recipes for inspiration on how to use this vibrant and earthy veggie!
Air Fryer Roasted Root Vegetables (From Frozen)
Equipment
- Spatula (or spoon)
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen root vegetables (any brand)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Mix your root vegetables with the olive oil, salt, and pepper, tossing to evenly coat2 cups frozen root vegetables, 1 Tbsp olive oil, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
- Add the veggies to your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 20 minutes, pausing halfway through to stir the vegetables
- Root vegetables are done when the edges are browned and the inside is tender when tested with a fork. Add additional time if needed, as time can vary between air fryers and brands of vegetables
- Serve warm, topped with fresh herbs if desired!
Notes
- Any brand of frozen root vegetables is fine. Great Value and Pictsweet are popular options. My blend includes beets, carrots, parsnips, and sweet potato
- Instead of olive oil, you can use another high smoke point oil of choice, like avocado, grapeseed, or sunflower
- Seasonings are adjustable to taste. You can also add other herbs and spices as you like. Good options include thyme, rosemary, sage, or parsley. You could also add balsamic vinegar or glaze, honey, or orange just for acidity or sweetness
- Make sure not to overcrowd your basket, as this will lead to uneven cooking. Keep your veggies to a single layer and stir during cooking for best results. Cook in batches if needed for larger quantities
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, variety, and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or toppings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
