Air-Fryer Turnip Fries Recipe (2024)

Alisa InfantiPublished:Updated:

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Turnip Fries – a healthier twist on a traditional french fry made with nutrient-rich and lower-carb turnips roasted in an air-fryer or convection oven. Plus, I have added a low-fat high protein chipotle dip to make it even tastier!

Air-Fryer Turnip Fries Recipe (1)

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I don’t know about you but I love french fries! I mean I really love them! But they aren’t exactly the best thing to be eating when you are trying to lose weight. And let’s face it fried food isn’t the best thing to be eating ever really.

Losing weight for me has never been easy so I have recently gone back to my roots and started tracking my calories. Not something I plan to do forever but every once in a while it is good to reset and see where I have fallen off track. When Culinary Tools asked me to partner with them to review their new Weight Loss Calculator I jumped at the chance. I found this tool to be full of great information.

Under the Nutrition Tab, is where you will find your calories per day suggestions by carbs, fat, and proteins. It then clearly breaks out how many calories and the macro split to eat per meal, not just per day which if find super helpful and you can adjust this by how many meals you plan to eat per day. I eat only 4 meals because I usually fast in the morning until about 11:00 so this feature is fantastic!

Air-Fryer Turnip Fries Recipe (2)

I learned to love turnip fries first by eating sweet potato fries but they are still quite high in carbohydrates. Then a friend told me that she had fallen in love with turnip fries. At first, I was like hell no. Turnips? To be honest, at the time I had no idea what a turnip tasted like. I just know that most people turn their noses up at them so I went right there. No way!

So What Do Turnips Taste like?

Turnips are actually very similar in my opinion to the flavor and texture of sweet potatoes. When air-fried or baked they become soft and sweet with crispy edges. They do have a slightly spicier taste to them than a sweet potato though which I really like.

When eaten raw they taste like a cross between a cabbage and a radish with a slightly bitter flavor and a texture much like a potato. Eaten this way you can add them to salads or as a crunchy veggie to munch on.

Are turnips lower-Carb than potatoes?

Turnips are much lower-carb than potatoes. One cup of cubed turnip is about 4.2 g of carbohydrates whereas the same size serving of russet potatoes is 13.5 g of carbs. That is about 1/3 less! Click here for a more in-depth comparison of turnips vs. potatoes.

Air-Fryer Turnip Fries Recipe (3)

Ingredients you will need for Turnip fries:

  • 2 lbs turnips
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Low-Fat Chipotle Salsa Dip ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup smooth cottage cheese
  • 1/4 cup salsa
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp chipotle chilli powder

How To make French Fried Turnips

To make the chipotle salsa dip simply add all the ingredients to a small bowl and mix well until combined. Serve alongside the air-fried turnips.

Now I am not going to profess that this turnip fries recipe is as good as actual french fries straight out of a fryer. But as a low-carb substitute or healthy snack idea, they hit the spot. Turnips have higher water content and are much less starchy than an actual potato so they will never get as crispy but the sweet flavor and crispy edges when air-fried are really good.

Some of my other favorite healthy snacks with a twist are:

  • Air-Fryer Korean BBQ Cauliflower Wings
  • Snickerdoodle Dessert Hummus
  • Warm Cherry Greek Yogurt Parfait
Air-Fryer Turnip Fries Recipe (7)

Air-Fryer Turnip Fries Recipe (8)

Air Fryer Turnip Fries

Alisa Infanti | The Delicious Spoon

Turnip – Fries are a healthier twist on a traditional french fry made with nutrient-rich, low-carb turnips and roasted in an air fryer or convection oven.

4.45 from 34 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine 21 Day Fix, American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 192 kcal

Equipment

  • Air-Fryer or Convection Oven

  • Air-fryer basket and baking sheet

  • Large Bowl

  • Knife

  • Measuring Cups

  • Measuring Spoons

  • Small Bowl (2)

  • Spoon

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs turnips peeled and sliced to 1/2 inch sticks
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Low-Fat Chipotle Salsa Dip

  • ½ cup smooth cottage cheese
  • ¼ cup salsa
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp chipotle chilli powder

Instructions

  • Preheat air-fryer or convection oven to 450F.

  • Peel and slice turnips to 1/2. Add them to a large bowl and toss with 2 tbsp of cornstarch to lightly coat.

  • In a small bowl add 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix to combine and pour over turnip sticks. Mix well to evenly coat the turnips.

  • Place the turnip pieces in the air-fryer basket and then on top of the baking sheet or likewise in the oven. Air-fry or bake for 20-25 minutes. Turn halfway through and continue cooking until turnip fries are softened and crispy on the edges. Remove from the air-fryer or oven.

  • While the turnip fries are cooking in a small bowl add 1/2 cup of smooth cottage cheese, 1/4 cup salsa, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp chipotle chilli powder. Mix well. Serve as a dip for turnip fries.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 192kcalCarbohydrates: 18.2gProtein: 10.3gFat: 8.9gSaturated Fat: 1.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5.2gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 546mgPotassium: 598mgFiber: 7.8gSugar: 3.9gVitamin A: 19931IUVitamin C: 41.7mgCalcium: 322mgIron: 4.3mg

Notes

Tips:

  • If using a convection oven you may need to increase the cooking time by about another 5 minutes.
  • Can’t find smooth cottage cheese? Just add the dip ingredients to a small blender and blend until smooth.
  • Turnip fries should be consumed right away so they remain as crispy as possible and any unused dip can be stored in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Please Note:

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Air-Fryer Turnip Fries Recipe (9)
Air-Fryer Turnip Fries Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you don t soak potatoes before air frying? ›

I wouldn't bother doing potatoes from the raw state, without soaking. It will take about a half an hour and the texture won't be nearly as rewarding. They just don't get very crispy without that cold soak.

Why are my fries not crispy in the air fryer? ›

It's essential that you spread the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket and that you leave a little space between each one. If they're too crowded, the potatoes will steam inside the air fryer, and they won't get crispy. In order to give them adequate space, you'll likely need to work in batches.

How to make crispy in air fryer? ›

However, a small amount of oil is usually necessary to achieve a crispy texture. A drizzle or a quick oil spray is all you need for restaurant-quality fries and golden brown fried chicken, while other foods don't need any oil, like pizza or leftovers you might reheat.

What happens if you don't soak potatoes for fries? ›

The main reasons to cut the potatoes and pre-soak in water are: To allow the excess starches and sugars to be removed from the outer surface of the fry strips AND to keep the potatoes from browning prematurely from exposure to air. Covering in water helps the potato from turning a dark color.

How long do potatoes need to sit in water before frying? ›

Place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Allow them to soak, 2 to 3 hours. (You can also stick them in the fridge and let them soak overnight.) When you're ready to make the fries, drain off the water and lay the potatoes on 2 baking sheets lined with paper towels.

What is the trick to getting things extra crispy with an air fryer? ›

While we wish it were possible to fry without any oil, air fryers do need a little oil to make your food crispy (but you'll use a lot less than a traditional fryer). Toss your food with a small amount of oil (around a tablespoon or less) to coat it evenly, then add it to the air fryer basket.

How do you crisp fries in an air fryer? ›

Simply set your air fryer to 350 degrees, then place your leftover fries in a single layer in the fryer basket. Heat them for three to five minutes or until they reach your desired crispiness.

Does oil make things crispy in an air fryer? ›

If you want, you can toss it in a light coating of oil. A fan pushes heated air -- up to 400 F -- around the food. It's a bit like a convection oven. The circulating air cooks the outside of foods first, which creates a crispy brown coating and keeps the inside soft, just like deep-fried foods.

What is the common problem of an air fryer? ›

Issue: One of the most common problems with air fryers is the unit not heating up as it should, which results in undercooked or unevenly cooked food. Solution: Ensure that the air fryer is placed on a flat, stable surface. Also, make sure the basket is securely inserted and that the food is not overcrowded.

What oil is best for crispy air fryer? ›

And they tolerate high heat well. For example, deodorized avocado oil, organic virgin sesame oil and grapeseed oil are good choices. Other oils are fragrant and have a stronger taste.

Why are my homemade fries not crispy? ›

If they are still not crispy you might have skipped a step or you might not have let them cool down sufficiently. Make sure to cool them in a single even layer and also make sure that the oil has the right temperature. Or maybe you've used the wrong potatoes to make them.

What are the best potatoes for french fries? ›

And the clear winners are Idaho or russet potatoes.

These potatoes are dense and have less moisture, which is key to avoiding soggy fries. You can also use Yukon gold potatoes, which are an all-purpose potato that can be used for frying. You should avoid waxy potatoes like red-skinned, new, or fingerling potatoes.

Why are my potatoes not cooking in the air fryer? ›

Firstly, if your potatoes are still wet before being placed into an air fryer, this can cause your potatoes not to crispen up. You can avoid this by thoroughly patting dry your potatoes before you place them in the air fryer. Secondly, you might be putting in too many potato chips so they aren't cooking evenly.

Can I cook potatoes without soaking? ›

For roasting: Pat the potatoes completely dry before adding oil and putting them in the oven, says Welsh. For frying: Rinse after soaking to rid the potatoes of excess surface starch, then drain and dry well. For boiling: Potatoes can be placed directly into the cooking pot after being drained.

Why are potatoes soggy in airfryer? ›

Once you've washed your spuds you need to dry them thoroughly. If you don't then excess moisture can seep into your potato while it's being cooked and result in a soggy skin.

Should you soak your potatoes before making fried potatoes? ›

First, get the starch off! Rinsing or soaking the potatoes for an hour (or, even better, overnight) will remove some of the starch from the surface and prevent the sugars from browning before the potatoes are cooked.

Do you have to soften potatoes before frying? ›

There are lots of recipes that call for par-boiling the potatoes first to reduce the amount of cooking time, but it's an extra step and an extra pan to wash. If you cook the potatoes over medium heat and keep them covered for most of the cooking time, the lid traps in steam, which helps cook the potatoes through.

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