This Air Fryer Parsnips recipe is healthy and easy to prepare! The parsnips are air fried until crispy and topped with a balsamic glaze.
These Air Fried Parsnips are lightly seasoned with garlic and onion powder and then cooked until crispy. You can eat them like French fries and top or dip them any way you like!
Parsnips are one of those root vegetables that tends to get overlooked. We may glance at them in the produce section of the grocery store and then look away without a thought, because many of us don't know what to do with them.
If you've been wanting to give this underutilized veggie a try, the air fryer is a great way to do it. Air frying the parsnips roasts them until crispy, giving them a nice texture and sweet flavor.
This dish can be served as a side for dinner, or as an appetizer or snack. It's healthy and you don't need to feel guilty if you find yourself going back for another...and another. This recipe is vegan and gluten free.
Parsnips can be prepared in a number of different ways and this is my favorite one so far.
Jump to:
- What Are Parsnips?
- How To Cook Parsnips
- Ingredients For Air Fryer Parsnips
- Do You Have To Peel Parsnips?
- How To Cut Parsnips For Roasting
- How To Season Roasted Parsnips
- How To Cook Parsnips In The Air Fryer
- How Long Do Parsnips Take To Cook In The Air Fryer?
- What To Serve With Air Fried Parsnips
- How Long Do Roasted Parsnips Last In The Fridge?
- Air Fryer Parsnips
What Are Parsnips?
Parsnips are a root vegetable and in the same family as carrots, coriander, cumin, and celery. They're high in fiber, potassium, and vitamins.
They are somewhat similar to a carrot in appearance and flavor. Parsnips look like a white carrot and possess some of the same sweetness of carrots. The flavor of parsnips is a bit more peppery, pungent, and has notes of licorice.
I always say that parsnips taste like 'a carrot on steroids'.
How To Cook Parsnips
Much like carrots, parsnips can be cooked in any number of ways. Parsnips can be roasted, grilled, boiled, sautéed, mashed, pureed, and added to everything from soups to salads to stews.
One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is in a soup like this Root Vegetable Soup and Harvest Vegetable Soup.
Roasting parsnips is a great way to bring out their natural sweetness. They can be roasted in the oven, on the grill, and in the air fryer.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Parsnips
Here's what you'll need to make them.
- 1 lb. Parsnips
- ¼ tsp. Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp. Onion Powder
- ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
- ¼ tsp. Pepper
- Air Fryer Safe Cooking Spray (such as avocado oil)
- Balsamic Glaze (optional)
Do You Have To Peel Parsnips?
Parsnips from the grocery store often come coated in a food-grade wax, so it is important to peel them in order to remove the wax before cooking.
If you have grown parsnips in your garden, or purchased them from a local farmer's market or CSA, it is not necessary to peel them, but washing them is recommended in order to remove any excess dirt. Feel free to peel them if desired.
How To Cut Parsnips For Roasting
Cutting parsnips is much like the process of cutting carrots. It's important that all the pieces are relatively the same size to ensure that they all cook evenly in the air fryer.
- To cut the parsnips for roasting, wash and remove the outer skin (including any food-grade wax) using a vegetable peeler.
- Cut the top (including any leaves) and the bottom of each parsnip off with a knife and discard.
- Cut each parsnip in half length-wise.
- Cut each half into halves. Cut the thicker upper portion of the parsnip in half again (the parsnips should look like carrot sticks that you might find on a crudité platter at this point).
- Cut each section of parsnip in half again. You should end up with chunks of parsnips that are all relatively even in size and thickness.
How To Season Roasted Parsnips
The great thing about these Air Fryer Parsnips is that they are minimally seasoned. A little bit of garlic and onion powder, along with some salt and pepper are enough to make the natural flavors shine.
In general, parsnips pair well with warming spices like ginger and garlic, savory herbs like parsley and thyme, and sweet ingredients like honey and maple syrup.
- Once the parsnips are peeled and cut into chunks, place them in a mixing bowl.
- Spray the parsnips thoroughly with a cooking spray that is suitable for use in air fryers. *See Note Below
- Once the parsnips have been generously coated in cooking spray, sprinkle ¼ tsp. each garlic and onion powder, along with ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper over them. Toss until completely coated.
A Few Tips
- A cooking spray without aerosols or propellants is recommended, as these can cause damage to air fryers. I love to use avocado oil when making parsnips in the Air Fryer).
- It's best to choose parsnips that are smaller and more slender, as this means they are younger and more tender. Larger parsnips tend to be woodier in texture and more bitter in flavor. The smaller parsnips are sweeter and have a more enjoyable texture.
- This recipe is created using a basket air fryer. The process may differ slightly if using another air fryer model.
How To Cook Parsnips In The Air Fryer
I love to cook vegetables in the air fryer, because the process is so darn easy. The hot air that circulates around them creates a soft texture on the inside and crispy skin on the outside.
- Spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking spray.
- Place half of the parsnips in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. It's important to have a little space between each piece, so that they cook evenly and the outsides become crispy.
- Close the basket and set the temperature for 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook the first batch for 6-8 minutes. Remove the basket and give it a shake, then close it again and cook for another 6-8 minutes.
- Remove the first batch and repeat with the second half of the parsnips.
How Long Do Parsnips Take To Cook In The Air Fryer?
Cooking times may vary, depending on the size of your parsnips and the model of air fryer used.
I find that 6-8 minutes on the first side and another 6-8 minutes on the second side is perfect for producing parsnips that are tender in the middle and crispy on the outside.
If you find that the parsnips are undercooked, feel free to cook them for a couple more minutes per side.
If your air fryer is large enough, you may be able to fit all of the parsnips in at once and cook them in one batch. Alternately, you may need to cook them in multiple batches if you have a very small air fryer.
What To Serve With Air Fried Parsnips
You can certainly enjoy these roasted parsnips right out of the air fryer. They eat like French fries and you can enjoy them as-is or with your favorite dipping sauce.
I love to top them with a balsamic glaze. You can pick up a bottle of pre-made balsamic glaze at your local grocery store and it adds a great sweet and tart kick to any roasted vegetable. (Make sure that the brand you choose is gluten free if gluten is an issue for you).
Simply drizzle your desired amount of balsamic glaze over the top of the parsnips right after placing them on a serving platter. The sweetness of the balsamic complements the flavors of the roasted parsnips nicely.
If you're feeling ambitious, you can definitely whip up a batch of homemade balsamic glaze.
If you're not a fan of balsamic glaze, feel free to serve them with melted herb butter, garlic aioli, mustard, tahini dressing, or any kind of dipping sauce.
This Creamy Tarragon Sauce, Ranch Dressing, or Thousand Island Dressing are a few options.
You can also garnish them with some fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil.
Roasted parsnips are great served alongside any kind of roasted meat like chicken, beef pot roast, or pork chops. Grilled meats like this Chuck Steak or Ribeye with Shallot Sauce are also tasty options.
Love vegetable sides? Don't miss these recipes!
- Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower
- Maple Dijon Brussels Sprouts
- Garlicky Roasted Green Beans
- Ranch Roasted Potatoes
- Maple Sesame Brussels Sprouts
- Asian Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Kohlrabi
How Long Do Roasted Parsnips Last In The Fridge?
Any leftover parsnips should last 1-2 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
They may become soggy if stored for longer than a day or two.
Can They Be Frozen?
I would not recommend freezing these parsnips, as they would likely dry out. It's best to enjoy them right out of the air fryer.
Love the Air Fryer? Check out these recipes!
- Air Fryer Breaded Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
- Air Fried Fish Tacos
- Butternut Squash Fries
- Eggplant Parmesan Fries
- Air Fryer Frozen Turkey Burgers
Looking For More Parsnip Recipes? Don't Miss These!
Honey Roasted Parsnip Soup
Perfect Roasted Parsnips
Parsnip Breakfast Home Fries
Air Fryer Parsnips
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. parsnips smaller, slender parsnips recommended
- cooking spray safe for use in Air Fryer
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. onion powder
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 2 Tbsp. balsamic glaze optional
Instructions
Cut The Parsnips:
- Wash the parsnips and remove the outer skin using a vegetable peeler. Many store-bought parsnips are coated in a food-grade wax and it's best to remove it with a vegetable peeler.
- Cut the top (including any leaves) and the bottom of each parsnip off with a knife and discard. Cut each parsnip in half length-wise.
- Cut each half into halves. Cut the thicker upper portion of the parsnip in half again (the parsnips should look like carrot sticks that you might find on a crudité platter at this point).
- Cut each section of parsnip in half again. You should end up with chunks of parsnips that are all relatively even in size and thickness.
Cook The Parsnips:
- Place the parsnip chunks in a mixing bowl. Spray the parsnips thoroughly with a cooking spray that is suitable for use in air fryers. They should be coated, but not saturated in the oil.
- Once the parsnips have been generously coated in cooking spray, sprinkle ¼ tsp. each garlic and onion powder, along with ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper over them. Toss until completely coated.
- Spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking spray.
- Place half of the parsnips in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. It's important to have a little space between each piece, so that they cook evenly and the outsides become crispy.
- Close the basket and set the temperature for 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook the first batch for 6-8 minutes. Remove the basket and give it a shake, then close it again and cook for another 6-8 minutes. Remove the first batch and repeat with the second half of the parsnips.
- To Serve: Place the parsnips in a serving dish. Drizzle desired amount of balsamic glaze over the top (optional). Feel free to garnish with freshly chopped herbs of choice (optional).
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