These 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!
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FAQ
Turnips are root vegetables. Like swedes (also called rutabaga), they are a member of the cabbage family. Turnips are tinted purple on the outside and have white flesh. They are high in vitamin C and minerals and low in calories.
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.
Fun fact: Until the potato arrived in Europe from the Americas, turnips were the main form of sustenance for the English working classes.
Ingredients
- 3 turnips
- Olive oil, avocado oil or coconut oil
- 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.
Step 5: Cook for a further 5 - 7 minutes or until evenly browned and cooked to your liking.
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.
Nevertheless, 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 that you air fry in 2 batches.
If you are not bothered about adding carbs, you could 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 these with keto lemon chicken, keto chicken nuggets or airfryer chicken thighs.
Using different vegetables
You can make the same recipe using the following vegetables:
- Rutabaga (swede)
- Celeriac
- Kohlrabi
- Fennel
- Baby radishes (air fry them whole)
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.
Related recipes
I oven roast and air fry vegetables all the time. All of the recipes below can be made in the air fryer. Instructions are included in the post.
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Turnip Fries Air Fryer
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
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
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.
Pat
Small query - you say the net carbs are 5.4g per portion in the text, but in the nutrition data you say total carbs are 5.4g with 2.2g fibre which would make net carbs 3.2g. Which is correct please? Many thanks, love this site, particularly as I live in the UK!
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?