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These air fryer beets are an easy and delicious side dish that is ready in a flash!
This recipe uses chopped beets that are perfectly caramelized in the air fryer,
making this simple veggie side dish for so many meals.

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The air fryer makes quick work of roasted veggies, and does an incredible job with beets! Even better, you won’t heat up your kitchen, making these a perfect year-round side dish.

They’re amazing “as is”, but I LOVE eating them topped with cilantro chimichurri.

I’m a bit of a beet fanatic, and in addition to eating these roasted beets with meals, I also love to use them in my refrigerator pickled beets and converting them into our hasselback roasted beets.

fresh beets, a bowl of olive oil, and a bowl of sea salt on a white wooden board

a note from sarah

Sustainability Tip

Double or triple the recipe and freeze extras for quick go-to future meals.

Check out our post on how to freeze beets for additional details.

Ok, ok, I know that beets have a bad wrap for tasting like dirt, but I think that part of the issue is that people roast beets with the skin ON.

I’ve never understood that, because 1) it really bakes that “dirt” taste into the beet and 2) you’re then trying to deal with peeling wickly hot beets in order to serve them.

After YEARS of testing different beet recipes, I found that the key to perfectly roasted beets is to peel them BEFORE roasting them. I promise if you try it this way, you’ll never go back to the other way.

For this particular recipe, you’ll want to peel and cut the beets while the air fryer is preheating. Cut the tops and root ends off the beets. Set the greens aside for salads (or for freezing). Use a sharp knife and cut the skin off.

Depending on the size of the beets, you’ll want to cut them into halves, quarters, or eighths. Aim for pieces that are close in size so that they’ll roast evenly.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • The smaller the beets, the more tender they will be. If your store only sells large ones, cut them in quarters or eighths before roasting.
  • You can roast the beets whole, but they will need 20-25 minutes in the air fryer. They will cook a bit faster if you wrap the beets in a pouch made of foil prior to adding them to the air fryer.
  • Save the beet tops for salads, smoothies, or sautéing.
a plate of beets topped with parsley
5 from 3 ratings

Tender Air Fryer Beets Without Foil

Servings: 4
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Air fryer roasted beets on a tan plate with a fork
These air fryer beets are an easy and delicious side dish that is ready in a flash! Perfectly caramelized in the air fryer, these simple roasted beets will become a go-to recipe.

Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs beets
  • 1 1/2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/8 tsp flaky salt {optional}

Instructions 

  • Preheat air fryer at 400˚F for 5 minutes.
  • Cut the tops and root end off of the beets. Set the greens aside for salads. Use a sharp knife and peel the skin off.
    2 lbs beets
  • Cut each beet in halves, quarters or eighths.
  • Add beets to a medium-sized bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Stir to coat.
    1 1/2 tsp olive oil
  • Brush olive oil on the air fryer basket. Add beets and spread around to distribute.
  • Cook at 380˚F for 15 minutes, shaking at 8 minutes.
  • Larger beets may need more cooking time. Cook until beets are easily pierced with the tip of a knife.
  • Sprinkle with salt prior to serving.
    1/8 tsp flaky salt

Notes

  1. Save the beet tops for salads, smoothies, or sautéing.
  2. Store leftovers in an air-tight container for up to three days.

Oven instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Place a cast-iron skillet on the bottom rack of the oven. Place the beets in the skillet and drizzle olive oil over each beet. Lightly tent with foil. Roast for 25 minutes, or until you can easily pierce the beet with the tip of a knife.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5poundsCalories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 250mgPotassium: 737mgFiber: 6gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah Cook

I'm here to help you make easy, seasonal, and no-fuss recipes for yourself and your family.

Whether it's a quick one-pot dinner or if I am teaching you how to can and preserve local produce, you can consider me your elder millennial grandma

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5 from 3 votes

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7 Comments

  1. Sarah, do you have a working link to the air fryer you use? The link in the post seems broken. One reason I’ve resisted buying this appliance is bc I’ve heard that they put off nasty chemicals. Any thoughts on that?

    1. Hi Christina, I double-checked the air fryer links in the post and found one “dead” link. Thanks for letting me know, I’m updating it now! This is the air fryer I use.

      Most air fryers with a basket do have non-stick coating on the basket. You could get an oven-style air fryer which typically just has stainless racks.

  2. These were….good?! As a self-professed beet hater I was surprised to enjoy these as much as I did. Beets may actually become a more regular part of my diet now! I used my smallest Dutch oven to roast these in the oven and they turned out rather delicious!5 stars

    1. Haha, this might be my favorite review ever, Bernie. I’m thrilled to convert a beet hater into someone who can tolerate them!

      Thanks for the smile this morning. 🙂