Sweet and tender crisp Air fryer Roasted Beets are a delicious side dish that gets ready in few minutes. Perfectly roasted, these beets are whole30, paleo, vegan, gluten-free and can be added to any salad or enjoyed as is.
By now, you all know that we love veggies roasted in the air fryer. From roasted carrot fries to cauliflower and sweet potato, my family loves them all.
Another one we enjoy is beets. We have them roasted as is or add them to a salad. Our favorite combination is beet arugula salad topped with feta cheese.
I like to roast beets in the air-fryer if we want crispy beets. You can also cook beets in the instant pot, where they are well cooked, but not crispy.
Table of Contents
Watch How to Make Air Fryer Beets
Are beets healthy?
Beets are primarily a root vegetable that grows during the winter season, but in the spring and summer season, it is at their sweetest. Packed with the best nutrients, beets are both best in raw or cooked versions.
Beets come in many varieties, like red, yellow, and striped ones. Each variation has its taste. Red beets are the most common variety and often are round-shaped with a sweet taste.
How to Roast Beets in the Air Fryer?
You can get beets both with and without the greens. In case you have the greens, you can save them for salads.
Before you get started on roasting beets in the air fryer, wash them well under running water. I recommend that you peel the skin before you roast the beets. Use a knife or a peeler to remove the skin. I prefer the peeler.
As beetroots can stain your hands, you can use gloves to avoid staining your hands. Before you start peeling them, cut off the top and root end.
If your beets are small or medium-sized, cut them into quarters or if they are big you can chop them into 8 uniform pieces. Try to get all pieces even-sized mostly about half an inch in thickness.
Transfer the beets to a bowl. Add the oil and seasonings. Toss them well till all the beets are well coated.
- Transfer the coated beets to the air-fryer basket and spread them uniformly
- Cook the beets on 380F for 17-20 minutes. I don’t preheat the air fryer in this case.
- Don’t forget to shake the basket halfway through for an even roast.
- Check if the beets are cooked well by inserting a fork. If they are still hard, air-fry them a bit longer.
How to roast beets in the oven?
Follow the same steps as above to prep the beets:
- Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.
- Transfer the prepped beets to a large sheet pan and if you want you can the seasonings directly to the pan instead of mixing in a bowl beforehand.
- Make sure to spread them evenly so that they don’t overlap.
- Cook for about for about 30-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve warm.
If you like, you can also roast the beets in the oven without peeling. Follow these easy steps to roast whole beets.
- Wrap beets individually in aluminum foil and set them on a baking sheet.
- Roast in an oven set to 450 degrees Fahrenheit until the beets are soft to the touch, up to 40-70 minutes depending on the size of the beets.
- Let the beets cool down and remove the skin from beets with your fingers. The skin will just easily slide off. If you find it a bit difficult, then use a pairing knife to peel them.
How to use Roasted Beets
- You can eat these air-fryer roasted beets as a side with a dip.
- Add them to a salad with greens or try this beet caprese salad.
- Add them while making hummus or make a beet soup!
Seasoning Variations
I usually add only salt and pepper when air-frying beets. But you can also add other seasonings like:
- Garlic powder
- Balsamic vinegar
- Onion powder
- Ground Cumin
- Paprika
Common Questions
It usually depends on the method. When air frying as above, I recommend to peel them before cutting and air frying. If you are roasting whole beets, it is okay to leave the skin on and peel after they are cooked.
You can store in refrigerator for 3-4 days in an air tight container.
Heat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 380F before serving.
Hope you enjoy this easy roasted beets recipe.
Other air fryer veggies you might enjoy:
Air Fryer Beets
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- 3 Beets
- 3/4 tablespoon Oil, I use avocado or olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly cracked, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Peel the beets and depending on the size cut into 4 or 8 pieces each. Even sized pieces of about half inch thickness.
- Transfer them to a bowl. Add the oil and seasonings. Toss them well, so they are all coated with the seasoning.
Air Fryer Method
- Transfer the seasoned beets to the air fryer basket and spread them in a single layer. Set the air fryer to 380F (cook in batches if needed).
- Air fryer for 17-20 minutes for the perfect texture. Shake the basket half way through.
- Serve and enjoy roasted beets as is or in a salad. Sprinkle some chopped or dried parsley.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Transfer the beets to a large sheet pan. You can also add the oil and seasonings on the sheet pan itself.
- Spread evenly so they do not overlap. Cook for about 35-45 minutes. Remove from oven and serve warm.
Notes
- Garlic powder
- Balsamic vinegar
- Onion powder
- Ground Cumin
- Paprika
great recipe for beets. thanks a ton!
Hi Meeta
My beets are in the air fryer. Do you think refrigeration for 3 days is ok? I will warm them up in the air fryer or just bring them to room temp.. they’re part of a platter of roast vegetables. Will this method would be ok for pumpkin cubes or slices? I am hoping for browning on the pumpkin.. thanks for sharing your recipe. Cathy
Hi Cathy – you can surely refrigerate after cooking. I would cook for couple of minutes less, so they are not too dry when you reheat them. Here is the recipe for air fryer pumpkin – https://pipingpotcurry.com/air-fryer-pumpkin/
Easy recipe that I tried variations of. First tried with just salt, oil and pepper. I cut into cubes and kept the skin on (I keep skin on everything just because I like the fiber and vitamins). I did it shake n bake style putting it in a bag and mixing. They came out slightly juicy in the center and very good. I added a bit more salt to taste. It was sweet and salty good.
The next batch I tried with balsamic and onion and garlic powder. The vinegar mellows out the beet flavor,but I felt the powders were unnecessary. Turned out good and again added a bit of salt.
Honestly, so far, these don’t need anything other than the salt and pepper and oil. It’s crunchy, and the sweet and salty really blend well. Beats are something my doctor wants me to start taking supplements for, but i said I’ll just eat them.
Beets were on special and I bought 10lbs of it! thanks to your recipe, I have no concern that they will all be eaten shortly…. thank you much!
I’m not able to use oil. Do you have any thoughts on an alternative
Hi Corey – I have not tried, but just roast them as is without the oil. Would love to hear if they turn out well.
I have not tried this recipe yet however, am thinking melted butter could be used in place of oil. My brother can not have oil either but he can have real butter and most recipies can be exchanged with oil evenly. And it adds better flavor. 🙂 Hope this works for you.
I would recommend ghee or clarified butter, not regular butter. Butter (with milk solids) has a burn temperature of around 350f, so it will likely burn in an air fryer at 390f.
I like beets, I like my air fryer, but I like your recipes the most.
Thanks you for sharing with us all your easy to follow and sooooo delicious and healthy meals.
Happy new year for you and your family from Australia.
Rozsa
Thank you so much, Rozsa. Happy new year to you too!
Really good. Would make again
Hi Delaine – Glad you enjoyed the beets. Thanks for sharing back!
These are AMAZING!! Loved them cut as fries, dipped into tahini lemon sauce! thanks for the idea when I read your note to add beets into hummus 😋 Better than candy!
Hi Rakhela – Glad to hear you enjoyed the beets!