Air-Fryer Beet Chips: A Healthy, Homemade Treat

Beetroot chips are a great, healthy snack option that can be made in an air fryer. They are easy to make and require minimal ingredients. The process is simple: wash, peel and thinly slice the beetroot, season with salt and/or other spices, and air fry for 10-30 minutes, depending on the recipe and your air fryer. The result is a crispy, tasty snack that can be enjoyed on its own or as a side dish.

Choosing the right beets

Freshness and Firmness：

Start by looking for fresh beets that feel firm to the touch. Avoid beets that are soft, as they may not hold their shape well during the cooking process. Look for beets with smooth skins and avoid any with spots or blemishes, ensuring they are free from bruises or cuts.

Colour:

Opt for beets with a deep, rich, and vibrant colour. The colour of the beetroot will impact the final hue of your chips, so choose ones with a beautiful, intense shade. This is also a good indicator of their freshness and flavour.

Size:

While you can use any size beet, smaller beets are generally easier to work with and cook faster than larger ones. If you're using larger beets, you may need to adjust your cooking time accordingly, as they will take longer to cook through.

Variety:

There are numerous varieties of beets to choose from, including red beets and golden beets. You can use any type for your chips, and you can even mix different colours for a fun, colourful snack.

Preparation:

Before cooking, wash your beets thoroughly to remove any soil. You can also peel the beets before slicing to make the chips. Beets can stain your hands, so consider wearing gloves or using lemon juice or vinegar to prevent discolouration.

Slicing:

Use a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife to cut the beets into thin, uniform slices. Aim for slices that are around 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch thick. Thinner slices may stick together, while thicker ones might not crisp up evenly.

By choosing the right beets and preparing them properly, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, crispy beet chips in your air fryer!

Seasoning the chips

• Herbs and spices: You can use various herbs and spices to add flavour to your chips. Common options include garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and chilli powder. Sprinkle the seasonings lightly and evenly over the chips before placing them in the air fryer.
• Sweet variation: For a sweeter version of beet chips, you can experiment with seasonings like cinnamon, brown sugar, or Chinese five spice. A pinch of any of these seasonings will give your beet chips a unique flavour profile.
• Compound butter: Another way to season your beet chips is by using compound butter. Make a compound butter with herbs like lemon balm, scallion, or dill weed, and let it set in the refrigerator overnight. Then, melt the butter and marinate the beet slices in it before placing them in the air fryer.
• Oil options: When coating your beet slices with oil, you can choose from a variety of options like olive oil, avocado oil, or extra virgin olive oil. You can also use oil sprays if you prefer.
• Additional seasonings: If you want to add some extra kick to your beet chips, consider adding a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, white pepper, or red pepper flakes. These seasonings will give your chips a spicy and flavourful boost.

The best temperature to use

The best temperature to cook beet chips in an air fryer depends on the type of air fryer you have, the thickness of the beet slices, and how crispy you like your chips.

For air fryer beet chips, temperatures between 300°F and 375°F are recommended. The cooking time will vary depending on the temperature and thickness of the beet slices, but it usually takes between 10 and 30 minutes.

Some recipes suggest cooking the beet chips at a higher temperature of 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes. This results in crispy chips with golden brown edges. However, it is important to keep a close eye on the chips to prevent them from burning.

Other recipes suggest a lower temperature of 300°F (150°C) for 20-25 minutes. This allows the chips to cook more slowly and evenly, reducing the risk of burning.

It is worth noting that room temperature beet slices will cook faster than cold beet slices. If using cold beet slices, you may need to increase the temperature to 325°F (160°C) to achieve the desired crispness.

Additionally, the wattage of your air fryer may also impact the cooking time and temperature. A higher wattage air fryer may cook the beet chips faster, so adjustments may be necessary.

It is always a good idea to monitor the beet chips closely while they are cooking in the air fryer, regardless of the temperature and cooking time. This will help prevent overcooking or burning and ensure that you achieve the desired level of crispness.

How to slice the beets evenly

Slicing beets evenly is an important step in making beet chips in an air fryer. Here are some tips to help you achieve evenly sliced beets:

Select the Right Beet:

Choose a medium-sized beet from your bunch that feels firm and has a deep, rich colour. Avoid soft beets with spots or blemishes.

Prepare the Beet:

Wash the beet well to remove any soil, then dry it and peel the skin. Beets can stain your hands, so consider wearing gloves or washing your hands with lemon juice or vinegar after peeling.

Slice the Beet:

There are a few methods you can use to slice the beet evenly:

• Mandolin Slicer: Use a mandolin slicer to slice the beet into thin, uniform slices. Adjust the thickness to around 1/16th of an inch.
• Knife: If you don't have a mandolin slicer, you can use a sharp knife. First, cut off both ends of the beet. Instead of slicing the beet horizontally, opt for vertical cuts, as they will result in more symmetrical slices. Alternatively, slice the beet in half, then slice the halves into even, uniform pieces. Aim for slices between 1/8" and 1/4" thick.

Absorb Moisture:

After slicing, spread the beetroot slices on kitchen paper and place another paper on top. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to absorb any extra moisture.

By following these steps, you should be able to achieve evenly sliced beets for your air fryer beet chips!

How to store beet chips

Storing beet chips is a crucial step to ensure they remain fresh and crunchy. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store your homemade beet chips:

Storing Freshly Made Beet Chips:

• Allow the beet chips to cool completely before storing.
• Place the beet chips in an airtight container. This will help maintain their crispness and freshness.
• If you want to enjoy the chips at their absolute crispest, consider consuming them within the first few hours after cooking.

Refrigerating Beet Chips:

• Beet chips can be stored in the refrigerator, placed in an airtight container or glass container.
• They will maintain their freshness and crunch for about one week when refrigerated.

Freezing Beet Chips:

• For longer-term storage, you can freeze your beet chips.
• Place them in freezer-friendly containers and freeze for up to one month.

Reheating Beet Chips:

• If your beet chips lose some of their crispness during storage, you can easily restore their crunch.
• Preheat your air fryer to a lower temperature, around 350°F, and reheat the chips for 1-2 minutes.
• This will bring back the desired crispiness to your beet chips.

Storing Baked Beet Chips at Room Temperature:

• Baked beet chips can also be stored at room temperature.
• Place them in an airtight container, and they will stay fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks.

Remember, the key to maintaining the freshness and crispness of your beet chips is to store them in airtight containers and consume them within a reasonable timeframe. Enjoy your delicious and healthy snack!

Frequently asked questions