Air Fryer Beets

This may become your favorite way to make beets! Air fryer beets are sweet, pleasantly chewy, and delicious. They’re easy to make and ready in just 25 minutes.

Beets. People love ’em or hate ’em. There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground with beets. They’re either described as “tasting like dirt” or “sweet and earthy” (in a good way).

Air frying beets may be a game changer. Tossed in olive oil, seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper, and roasted in the the air fryer, beets become chewy little morsels that really pop with flavor.

The first time I cooked beets in my air fryer, they disappeared in a hurry. We tested the beets three different ways to figure out the best method so we cooked a lot of beets. I was kind of hoping I’d have a few leftover for my salad the next day but that wasn’t the case. They are pretty irresistible.

And that’s okay because beets are super good for you! They are low in calories (only 80 calories per serving), high in fiber, and loaded with nutrients (Healthline).

About This Recipe

You may not cook beets very often because let’s face it, they take a long time to cook. They are pretty hard and it takes awhile for them to become tender. Often I wrap the beets in foil and roast them in the oven for an hour or more (check out How to Cook Beets). Then you still have to peel them.

Air fryer beets are a different story. Simply scrub them, cut them into little squares, toss them with a bit of oil, and pop them into the air fryer. No peeling necessary! In 20 minutes, they’re ready to eat.

Air fried beets are a good side dish or they can be added to salads, grain bowls, or even pizza. Another benefit of this cooking method is that it seems to seal in the juices. You know how “bleeding” beets can turn your whole dish pink. Air frying curbs that tendency.

Don’t forget that beets come in a rainbow of colors, too. Try a mixture of crimson, golden, and striped beets for a beautiful array.

Let’s get started on this recipe! I’ll run through it here and give you some extra tips. Look for the printable recipe card near the end of the post.

What You’ll Need

• Beets: Any beet variety will work, whether it’s deep crimson, golden, striped, or white. Yes, white! Did you know there are actually white beets? I learn something new every day (Gardeners’ Path). Don’t you just love the striped beets in the photos? They’re really quite pretty. The darker the beet, the more betalain they contain. Betalain is a phytonutrient with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory health benefits.
• Olive Oil: This heart-healthy oil is perfect for roasting vegetables. It’s flavorful, has a fairly high smoke point, and it’s good for you. What more can you want?
• Salt & Pepper: Simple seasonings are all you need to let the sweet vibrant flavor of the beets shine.

How To Make Air Fryer Beets

The first step is to decide whether you’re going to peel the beets or not. We tested them both ways and really couldn’t tell the difference. Not one bit! Since my philosophy is the less work, the better, why peel them? But it’s your choice.

If you decide to peel the beets, go for it. A vegetable peeler works well. If you’re ready to go unpeeled, simply scrub the beets really well with a vegetable brush.

Trim the tops and bottoms from the beets and dice them into uniformly-sized pieces, about three-quarters of an inch. If you decide to cut them smaller, they will get done even more quickly and be a bit crispier, too. Again, your choice.

Put the cut beets in a mixing bowl and add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss them until they are coated with oil.

Put the beets on the rack inside your air fryer; arrange them in a single layer. It’s okay if the sides are touching.

Air fry them at 380ºF for 20 minutes or so, tossing once or twice so they get done evenly. Check for tenderness near the end of the cooking time (see the FAQ below).

Serve the beets unadorned or with embellishments. They are so good that you’ll find yourself “testing” one or two or ten before they get to the table.

If you want to fancy them up, try a squeeze of fresh orange juice, maybe even a sprinkle of orange zest. A bit of crumbled goat cheese and/or some fresh dill or thyme is super delicious. Toss them with your favorite vinaigrette, such as a simple white wine vinaigrette or this fantastic apricot vinaigrette. A drizzle of hot honey is great, too.

Serve the beets as a side dish or as a topping for a salad. They are excellent in grain salads or a rice pilaf. Once you try them, you’ll be imagining all sorts of ways to incorporate beets into your menu.

FAQs

Make It Your Own

• Be creative with the seasoning. Want smoky beets? Toss them with a ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika. Add a bit of garlic powder when you toss them with oil. Try my all-purpose seasoning instead of plain salt and pepper. Try dried herbs or curry powder.
• Roast other root vegetables with the beets. Beets and carrots is a good combination, or beets and sweet potatoes. Try turnips, parsnips, or radishes.
• Oven baked method: Diced beets can be roasted in the oven at 425ºF for 30 minutes or until tender. Toss one or two times so they roast evenly.
• Canned beets: We also air fried canned beets (plain not pickled). You can’t “beat” how easy canned beets are. They weren’t quite as tasty but still perfectly acceptable. If you have a can of beets in your pantry, air frying them will take them to the next level.

Make-Ahead Ideas

To get a head start on this recipe, the raw beets can be prepped up to a day ahead of time. Scrub and trim the beets, cut them into cubes, and refrigerate them in a covered container. Continue with the recipe as directed when you’re ready to air fry them.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Cooked beets will keep in the refrigerator for four to five days in a covered container. For best results, reheat them in your air fryer for a minute or two to crisp them up. You can also microwave them but they will be softer. Beets can also be eaten cold.

Leftover Love

You’ll be so glad you have leftover air fried beets! Add them to your salad, a grain bowl, or eat them as a snack. So good!