Air Fryer Rutabaga Fries

Name: Air Fryer Rutabaga Fries
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 rutabaga; 2 tablespoons oil; 1 tablespoon paprika; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; pinch black pepper

These Air Fryer Rutabaga Fries are a delicious and nutritious alternative to classic potato fries. Quickly roasted root vegetables with a perfect blend of seasonings.

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Air fryer rutabaga fries seasoned with spices.

These Air Fryer Rutabaga Fries, or Swede Fries, are a flavorful twist on traditional fries. Seasoned with paprika and garlic and cooked in the air fryer, they provide a healthier alternative to potato fries. Easy to prep and cook, they are a great way of helping you add more nutritious vegetables on your plate.

Rutabaga fries served on a white plate next to a bowl of tomato ketchup for dipping.

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These flavorful fries are an easy vegetable side dish made using the root vegetable rutabaga. Rutabaga (also known as a swede, Swedish turnip or yellow turnip) is a nutritious and hearty root vegetable with a creamy, pale yellow flesh and a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which includes vegetables like cabbage and broccoli.

Rutabaga is an excellent source of fiber, magnesium, calcium, and vitamins B and C. It also has half the calories and half the carbs compared to potatoes, offering a healthy alternative to your meal.

These veggie fries are super easy to prep, with only 6 ingredients, and they are ready on the table in just 25 minutes, providing a lighter and quicker alternative to traditional potato fries. Whether as a side dish, snack, or even a light main course, these rutabaga fries give a fantastic opportunity to boost your vegetable intake.

Make sure to try also this Carrot and Rutabaga Mash and these Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms too!

Why you will love this recipe!

Super easy: This recipe is incredibly beginner-friendly making it a breeze for anyone new to air frying. If you also never tried rutabaga before, this is the perfect recipe to try it out!
Budget Friendly: You only need a few simple pantry ingredients, likely already stocked in your kitchen, and one rutabaga to make these fries. Not only are the ingredients cheap, but you’ll also save on electricity with the air fryer, compared to using the oven for roasting.
Dietary info: These fries are gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian and dairy-free.

Golden brown rutabaga fries served on a white plate.

Ingredients

Rutabaga
Oil: Oil is important to achieve even cooking of the fries. Opt for a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or avocado oil, as they all work great in this recipe.
Seasonings: Combine garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to infuse the rutabaga with a well-balanced flavor.

How to make rutabaga fries in the air fryer

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

Clean and cut the rutabaga into fries (photo 1).
In a bowl, add the oil and seasonings to the rutabaga (photo 2).
Add the fries to the air fryer basket and cook until tender (photo 3).

Three step by step photos to show how to make the recipe.

Recipe Variations

There are many variations you can do with this recipe, depending on your tastes and preferences.

For a spicy twist, add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mix. Or add some rosemary, thyme, or parsley, before air frying.

You can also try this recipe with different vegetables like parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, and so on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to peel the rutabaga?

No, it’s not necessary, just give it a good wash to clean it. It can be tricky to peel, but you absolutely can if you want.

Are Rutabaga and Swede the same thing?

Yes, Rutabaga is the name most commonly used in the US, while in the UK and Europe, it is known as a Swede, Swedish turnip or yellow turnip.

Can you oven-bake rutabaga fries?

Yes absolutely! You can bake them in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 30 minutes if you don’t have an air fryer.

Vegetable fries with paprika on a white plate.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve rutabaga fries as an alternative to potato fries, to accompany a variety of main dishes, such as:

Make Ahead, Storage and Storage

If you want to prep it in advance, you can cut the rutabaga into fries and submerge it in a bowl of water for up to 1 day so that it doesn’t brown.

The air-fried rutabaga is best enjoyed as soon as it’s cooked. Leftovers can keep for up to 3 days covered in the fridge. You can then reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F / 200°C for 3-5 minutes.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Cut the fries thinly, so the edges will be more crispy.
Preheat your air fryer so that they cook evenly.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket and shake during cooking. Cook in two batches if needed.
The cooking time is a guide, as air fryer models can vary. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes if they’re not yet crispy.

With their crispy edges and tender centers, these seasoned fries are a fantastic way to savor the goodness of rutabaga while enjoying a healthier and tastier alternative to traditional potato fries.

More Air Fryer Vegetable Side Dishes

If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below!