Beets in the Air Fryer
Roasting beets in the oven takes an hour or more, but air fryer beets cut into cubes are tender and sweet in about 20 minutes. The hot air concentrates their natural sugar and lightly caramelizes the edges, so they taste roasted without heating the whole kitchen. This guide covers cubes, wedges, whole beets and chips, with times for each.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 30min
- Prep time
- 10min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 95kcal
Why the air fryer works for beets
Beets are dense root vegetables, so they need heat and time to turn tender. The air fryer works well here because small cubes expose more surface to the hot air, which both shortens cooking and creates caramelized edges. Oven roasting a whole beet can take an hour, but 1-inch cubes finish in 20 minutes with a pronounced sweet, earthy flavor.
You can also cook beets whole in the air fryer, which keeps more moisture and is best when you want slices for salad. The trade-off is time: medium beets need 40 to 50 minutes. Whichever size you choose, the main rule is to make the pieces similar in size. A basket with a mix of large and tiny beets leaves some pieces hard and others overcooked.
How to make beets in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prep the beets Trim the tops and roots, then peel the beets with a vegetable peeler. Cut them into 1-inch cubes of about the same size so they cook at the same rate. Wear gloves if you want to avoid pink fingers.
- Season Toss the cubes in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper until they are evenly coated.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for .
- Cook Put the beets in the basket in a single, even layer. Air fry for 18 to , shaking the basket every , until a fork slides into the largest piece easily and the edges are browned.
- Finish Toss the hot beets with the balsamic vinegar and parsley. Taste and add a pinch more salt if needed.
Times and temperatures
| Beets | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cubes, 1 inchShake every 5 min | 400 °F (200 °C) | 18–20 min |
| Wedges | 400 °F (200 °C) | 22–25 min |
| Whole, mediumWrap in foil, optional | 375 °F (190 °C) | 40–50 min |
| Thin slices (chips)Flip once | 350 °F (180 °C) | 12–15 min |
| Golden beets, cubes | 400 °F (200 °C) | 15–18 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Cut evenly. The same size means the same cooking time. Halve any large beets before cubing them.
- Add acid at the end. Balsamic, red wine vinegar or orange juice brightens the flavor, but it would burn in the basket, so add it after cooking.
- Mix colors afterwards. Red beets stain golden and candy-striped ones, so cook the colors in separate batches and combine them on the plate.
What to serve with beets
Beets pair well with creamy cheeses. Toss the warm cubes with crumbled feta or goat cheese, arugula and toasted walnuts for a salad, or serve them next to salmon or chicken thighs. They also go well with other roasted vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes, as a colorful fall sheet-pan-style dinner.
Storing and reheating
Cooked beets keep for 4 to 5 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator, so they are well suited to meal prep. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 °F for 3 to 4 minutes, or serve them cold in salads. Cooked beets can be frozen for up to 3 months, although the texture is softer after thawing.
Variations
- Balsamic and goat cheese: After cooking, toss with 1 tbsp balsamic glaze and top with 2 tbsp crumbled goat cheese (not dairy-free or vegan).
- Beet chips: Slice peeled beets paper-thin, toss with a little oil and salt, and cook at 350 °F for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping once.
- Garlic and herbs: Add 1 tsp dried thyme and 1 minced garlic clove in the last 3 minutes of cooking.
- Beets and carrots: Add 2 sliced carrots with the beets, cut to the same size.
If it does not turn out right
- The beets are still hard in the center
- The cubes were too big or the basket too full. Cut them to 1 inch, cook no more than 3 cups at a time and add 3 to 5 minutes if needed.
- The edges are dark and bitter
- Beets contain sugar that burns. Lower the heat to 375 °F, and keep the cubes a little oily so they do not dry out.
- The beets are tough and dry
- They were old or the cubes were small. Toss the cubes with an extra teaspoon of oil, or cook the beets whole in tightly crimped foil packets to hold in moisture.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook beets in the air fryer?
1-inch cubes take 18 to 20 minutes at 400 °F. Whole medium beets take 40 to 50 minutes at 375 °F, and thin slices of ⅛ inch take 12 to 15 minutes.
Do you have to peel beets before air frying?
Not always. Whole beets are easy to peel after cooking, because the skin slips off. For cubes, peel first, since the skin is tough at that size.
Can you cook air fryer beets in foil?
Yes. Wrap whole beets in foil, crimped tight, and cook at 375 °F for 45 to 55 minutes. The foil steams them gently, and the skins slip off once they cool.
Do you need oil to cook beets in the air fryer?
A little helps them brown. For beets with no oil, cook them whole in foil or add a splash of water to the bowl and toss; the texture will be softer.
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