Crispy, caramelized parsnips roasted to perfection in less time than your oven could ever achieve? Yes, it's possible with your air fryer! Read on to discover how easy it is to achieve tender, golden parsnips full of nutty sweetness using this popular kitchen appliance.
While not the most popular dinner vegetable, Parsnips offer a uniquely sweet and earthy flavour when adequately prepared. Often overlooked in favour of potatoes or carrots, parsnips are versatile root vegetables that deserve more time in the spotlight.
Roasting parsnips in the oven yields delicious results, but it's a slow process requiring at least 40-60 minutes at high heat. This is where the air fryer comes in! An air fryer's concentrated hot air technology allows you to roast parsnips in a fraction of the time while still achieving all that delicious caramelization that enhances their natural sweetness.
This article will explore step-by-step instructions for roasting parsnips in an air fryer. You'll learn how to prep parsnips for air frying, how long to cook them, tips for getting them perfectly crisp on the outside while tender inside, and fun flavour variations to take your parsnips to the next level. Let's get cooking!
Benefits of Roasting Parsnips in an Air Fryer
Before we get started, let's look at some of the benefits of using an air fryer instead of your oven when roasting parsnips:
- - Faster cooking time - Parsnips roast in just 15-25 minutes in an air fryer versus 40-60 minutes in the oven.
- - Crispier result - The circulating hot air of an air fryer crisps up the outside of parsnips beautifully.
- - Added convenience - Air frying frees up your oven for other dishes.
- - Versatility - Most air fryers have different settings to adjust time and temperature as needed.
- - More nutrients preserved - The quicker cooking process preserves more vitamins and minerals.
- - Easy cleanup - Air fryer baskets go right in the dishwasher after cooking.
Air frying is the way for quick, easy, and super tasty parsnips. Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty details.
Prep the Parsnips for Air Frying
Start with fresh parsnips that are firm and unblemished. Peel them with a vegetable peeler or knife to remove the tough outer skin. Cut off both ends, then slice the parsnips in half lengthwise down the centre if they are particularly thick. Finally, chop parsnips into 1-inch chunks.
Pro Tip: Soak peeled and chopped parsnips in cold water for 5 minutes to remove some of their starchiness, then drain and pat them completely dry before air-frying them. This helps them get extra crispy.
Toss parsnip chunks with 1-2 tablespoons of avocado, olive oil, or melted coconut oil all work well. The small amount of oil aids in evenly browning the surface during cooking. Toss the oiled parsnips with your favourite dried herbs and spices for extra flavour. Smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, oregano, chilli powder, cumin, garlic powder and onion powder all pair wonderfully with parsnips.
Set Your Air Fryer Temperature and Time
Most standard air fryers require setting temperatures anywhere from 370°F to 400°F for roasting parsnips. Refer to your appliance's manual for exact temperature guidance.
As for cooking time depends on the size of your parsnip chunks, but it will generally be 15-25 minutes. Smaller 1-inch chunks will cook faster, while larger pieces may need 25 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through for even cooking.
How to Tell When Parsnips Are Done
There are a few ways to judge when your air-fried parsnips are ready:
- - Look for a golden brown colour on all sides. They should be crispy and caramelized on the outside when finished.
- - Use a fork or toothpick to test the interior - properly roasted parsnips will be fork tender but not mushy.
- - Check for doneness after 15 minutes. If parsnips still seem stiff and uncooked in the centre, toss and cook for 5-minute intervals until fork tender.
- - Listen for sizzling to subside. Parsnips are done when the noise from the air fryer quietens down.
Once finished cooking, immediately remove parsnips from the hot air fryer basket to prevent overcooking. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before enjoying.
Flavor Variations
Beyond salt, pepper, and olive oil, there are countless ways to add delicious flavour to your air-fried parsnips. Get creative with any of these tasty variations:
- - Balsamic Roasted - Toss in 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar and 1/2 tsp garlic powder before air frying.
- - Lemon Dill - Toss with zest of 1 lemon and 1 tbsp fresh dill.
- - Honey Cinnamon - Toss 1 tbsp honey and 1/2 tsp cinnamon before air frying.
- - Chili Lime - Add zest and juice of 1 lime and a pinch of chilli powder.
- - Harissa Roasted - Toss in 1-2 tsp rose harissa paste and 1/4 tsp cumin before air frying.
- - 5-Spice Sesame - Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp Chinese 5-spice and 1 tbsp sesame seeds when finished.
The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to seasoning your crispy air-fried parsnips!
Pairing and Serving Ideas
Your perfectly cooked parsnips won't just be a delicious side on their own; they also pair especially with all kinds of main dishes:
- - Roast chicken or pork chops
- - Fried or poached eggs
- - Steaks or burgers
- - Grilled shrimp, salmon, or fish
- - Lamb chops or meatballs
- - Chickpeas for a vegetarian meal
For an easy yet impressive presentation, serve your roasted parsnips on a platter over a smear of creamy goat cheese or ricotta sprinkled with fresh parsley or chives. They also make tasty salads, grain bowls, soups, and more additions. Get creative with these air fryer parsnip recipe ideas for exciting new ways to enjoy this underrated veggie.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Properly stored, roasted parsnips will be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, place a single layer on a lined baking sheet and warm in a 375°F oven for 10 minutes until heated. They also reheat well in the microwave or air fryer. Be careful not to overcook them when reheating, or they will turn mushy.
The simplicity of tossing parsnips in your air fryer makes this vegetable side dish a quick weeknight winner. So next time you're meal planning, consider letting your air fryer work its magic on humble parsnips. In just minutes, you'll uncover their incredible potential when coaxed into crispy, caramelized perfection through the power of hot air!
Honey Roasted Parsnips
This easy air fryer parsnips recipe uses honey to achieve deliciously sticky, glazed parsnips with sweet caramelized edges. Feel free to use maple syrup instead of honey if desired.
Ingredients:
- - 1 lb parsnips, peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks
- - 2 tbsp olive oil
- - 3 tbsp honey
- - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- - 1/4 tsp salt
- - 1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- In a bowl, toss together the chopped parsnips, olive oil, honey, smoked paprika, salt and pepper until coated evenly.
- Add parsnip chunks in an even layer to the air fryer basket. Mist with cooking spray if needed to prevent sticking.
- Cook at 380°F for 18-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Parsnips are done when fork tender and caramelized on the outside.
- Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately.
Make a full roast dinner with honey-glazed parsnips alongside roasted chicken or pork. The natural sweetness pairs perfectly with savoury meats and roasted veggies like carrots, Brussels sprouts or potatoes. This easy yet impressive side will round out your next special meal!
To start air frying delicious parsnips and other sides at home, browse our selection of top-rated basket air fryers in our online store. We carry all the most popular brands, like Ninja, Tower, Duronic, Bridge Pro, and Cosori, in various sizes to suit any household. Investing in a quality air fryer opens up a world of quick, crispy cooking possibilities beyond just parsnips - air fry fries, wings, fish, vegetables and more, benefiting from that crispy exterior and tender interior only hot air frying can create. So upgrade your kitchen tools and recipes with an air fryer from our store today!
