My air fryer turnip fries are a wonderful low carb side dish and a great keto friendly alternative to potato fries. They are deliciously spiced and have crisp caramelised edges.
Who doesn't like crispy fries?
This air fried turnip fries recipe is a healthy twist on french fries and other starchy veggie fries such as sweet potato or parsnip fries.
We make them on a weekly rotation right now. They are nutritious, gluten free, easy to make and look just like real potato fries!
Of course, they do not taste exactly like the "real deal". After all, they are turnips and not potatoes.
Also, since turnips have a higher water content than potatoes, they aren't as crisp and are softer in the centre.
But thanks to the air fryer, they have delicious caramelised edges. And the simple spice mix I'm coating them in make them taste super yummy in their own right.
Exceptional dipped in my sugar free ketchup or this easy keto mayonnaise!
READER REVIEW: "Loved it. Quick, so easy to prepare. I sprinkled with extra mature cheddar for cheesy 'chips'. A light supper after a late finish at work." (Tracey)
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Ingredients
- 3 turnips - Turnips are root vegetables and a member of the cabbage family. They are tinted purple on the outside and have white flesh. They are high in vitamin C and minerals and low in calories.
- Olive oil - To coat, or use avocado oil or coconut oil
- Seasonings - Paprika, black pepper, salt, garlic powder
Optional Add-Ons
- Cayenne
- Onion powder
- Cumin
Instructions
This section contains step-by-step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities
STEP 1
Peel and remove the ends of the turnips. Cut into slices then ½ inch fries. Make sure the fries are equal size so they cook evenly.
STEP 2
Mix the olive oil, spices and seasoning together in a mixing bowl.
STEP 3
Toss the fries in the mix so they are fully coated.
Preheat the air fryer.
STEP 4
Place the fries in one single layer in the air fryer and cook at 180C / 350F for 8 minutes.
Shake the basket or flip the fries. Remove any small ones that look cooked.
Cook for a further 5 - 7 minutes or until evenly browned.
Katrin's Top Tips
Spoiler alert! Turnip fries will never be as crispy as potato fries, celeriac fries or sweet potato fries. This is because they contain less starch and have a higher water content.
Here are my top tips to make them as crisp as possible:
- Pat them dry before coating.
- Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket so the air can circulate easily. If you crowd them, they become soggy.
- Eat them straight away, while the caramelised edges are still nice and crisp.
I have a large air fryer and my fries fitted (just about) in a single layer. Ideally, I should have used a little less to give each fry more space.
If you use an air fryer with a round (smaller) basket, I recommend to air fry in 2 batches.
If you don't mind adding carbs, add 1-2 tablespoon arrowroot to the coating mix. This will increase the crispness of the fries.
Oven cooked turnip fries
Making turnip fries in the oven is equally simple:
- Preheat the oven to 200 C / 400 F.
- Prepare the turnips fries as per recipe.
- Spread them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure there is space between the fries so the air can circulate evenly.
- Bake for about 20 minutes.
- Then, turn the fries over and continue cooking for a further 8-10 minutes or until they are browned evenly and have crisped up.
- Serve straight away.
Serving Suggestion
Enjoy them alongside a protein of your choice (meat or fish) and with a side salad.
We like air fryer turnips with keto lemon chicken, keto chicken nuggets or keto salmon.
Using different vegetables
You can make the same recipe using the following vegetables:
- Rutabaga (swede)
- Celeriac
- Kohlrabi
- Fennel
- Baby radishes (air fry them whole)
FAQs
Their taste is slightly earthy and has a hint of peppery sharpness, which disappears when cooked. Baby turnips taste sweeter and milder, which is why you should always choose smaller rather than larger ones.
Yes. At 4.6g net carbs per 100 grams (raw), they are lower in carbohydrates than other potato replacements such as rutabaga or celeriac.
Storage
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or in the oven (200C / 400F) for 5 minutes.
Fun fact: Until the potato arrived in Europe from the Americas, turnips were the main form of sustenance for the English working classes.
Related Recipes
I oven roast and air fry vegetables all the time. All of the recipes below can be made in the air fryer.
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Turnip Fries Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 turnips 450g once peeled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil avocado oil or coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ black pepper
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Peel and remove the ends of the turnips. Cut into slices then ½ inch fries. Make sure the fries are equal size so they cook evenly. If they release moisture, pat dry with a paper towel.
- Mix the olive oil, spices and seasoning together in a mixing bowl.
- Toss the fries in the mix so they are fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 180C / 350F.
- Place the fries in one single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 8 minutes or until the tops are golden. Note - if your air fryer is small, you may need to cook 2 batches.
- Shake the basket or flip the fries and remove any small ones that may look cooked. Then, cook for a further 5 - 7 minutes or until evenly browned and cooked to your liking. Serve immediately.
Notes
- pinch of cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
Deb Simmons
My husband was diagnosed with diabetes about a year. I came across your recipes. Thank you for posting them. We have tried the bbq wings and he likes them. He says they are better warm than cold though. I am going to try more of the recipes. Again thank you so much.
Katrin Nürnberger
Glad you are enjoying the recipes!
Jeanette Menegay
Can you prep and freeze uncooked?
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, I think that could work.
Jennifer
I really like the air fryer turnips - I make them a lot. However, they never turn out crispy. How can I get them crispy? 🙂
Cheers,
Jen
Katrin Nürnberger
Turnips contain a lot of water so they will never turn out as crispy as starchy veggies. I think something worth trying is coating them in my keto breadcrumbs. I did this for my keto zucchini fries recipe where it works really well.
Tracy
Loved it. Quick, so easy to prepare. I sprinkled with extra mature cheddar for cheesy 'chips'. A light supper after a late finish at work.
Katrin Nürnberger
Most people count net cabs when on a low carb diet, but some prefer to count total carbs - which is why I display both. UK nutrition labels display the net carb count (which is total carbs minus fibre). Hope this clarifies.
Yolanda
Amazing. Great substitute. Easy to make. Thank you.
Sean
Can you fry these? Shallow or deep fry?
Katrin Nürnberger
I think it would work. Perhaps steam them first, then shallow fry?