Air-Fried Parsnips: The Perfect Timing For Crispness

Roasting parsnips in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious side dish. The air fryer transforms parsnips into a slightly sweet roasted vegetable with a soft inside and a lightly crisped outside. The constant dry circulating heat of the air fryer is much faster than cooking in the oven and healthier than deep frying or oven roasting because it doesn't require excess oil.

Choosing the right parsnips

Look for medium-sized parsnips: Aim for parsnips that are neither too big nor too small. Medium-sized parsnips tend to have a better balance of sweetness and earthiness.

Check for firmness: Select parsnips that are firm to the touch, with no soft spots. Avoid parsnips that feel squishy or have any bruises.

Inspect the skin: Look for parsnips with smooth, unblemished skin. The skin should be fresh and bright, without any signs of wrinkling or discoloration. You can choose to peel the parsnips before cooking, but the skin also adds flavour, so consider simply scrubbing them well.

Opt for fresh tops: If the parsnips have their tops still attached, choose ones with vibrant, green leaves. This indicates freshness and a more recently harvested parsnip.

Go for smaller parsnips: While larger parsnips can be used, smaller parsnips are often a better choice. Larger parsnips may have a thicker, woody core that is not edible and needs to be removed before cooking.

Buy seasonally: Parsnips are typically harvested from fall to early spring. Choosing parsnips that are in season will likely result in a better flavour profile.

By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to selecting the perfect parsnips for your air fryer recipe. Remember to also consider the number of parsnips you need for your dish, as this will impact the cooking time.

Preparing the parsnips

First, select fresh parsnips that are firm, with no discolouration or soft spots. If the parsnips have tops, ensure they are fresh and green.

Next, wash the parsnips under cold water to remove any dirt and impurities. You can choose to peel the parsnips if you prefer, but it is not necessary. If you do peel them, use a vegetable peeler for best results.

After washing and peeling, cut off the tops and bottoms of the parsnips. You can then cut them into your desired shape and size. For even cooking, it is important to ensure that the parsnip pieces are roughly the same size. You can cut them into 2-3 inch long pieces, or quarters lengthwise. Alternatively, cut them into sticks or batons similar to French fries, or slice them into coins about as thick as your pinky finger.

Once the parsnips are prepared, place them in a large bowl and drizzle with your chosen oil. You can use light olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, or another liquid cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil. Toss the parsnips in the oil to ensure they are evenly coated.

At this stage, you can also add any desired seasonings to the bowl and toss to coat the parsnips. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or try other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, or rosemary. For a sweeter option, you can add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, or a sprinkle of brown sugar.

Now your parsnips are ready to be placed in the air fryer basket!

Seasoning the parsnips

Oils

Firstly, you'll want to coat your parsnips in a cooking oil. This will help to prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket and ensure they cook evenly. Choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as light olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil.

Salt and Pepper

A sprinkle of salt will bring out the natural flavour of the parsnips. You can also add black pepper to enhance the sweetness of the parsnips.

Honey

For a sweet and sticky glaze, add a drizzle of honey to your parsnips. This is best done halfway through the cooking process to prevent burning. You can also use maple syrup for a similar effect.

Herbs

Fresh or dried herbs can add a burst of flavour to your parsnips. Parsley, sage, and thyme all work well. If using dried herbs, add them at the start of cooking; if using fresh herbs, add them halfway through.

Spices

Due to their natural sweetness, spices complement parsnips nicely. Try ginger, nutmeg, ras el hanout, za'atar, or baharat.

Garlic and Onion

For a more savoury note, add garlic powder or onion powder to your parsnips.

Other Ideas

Get creative with your seasonings! You can omit the honey and use your favourite dried seasoning blend, such as Greek, Cajun, Italian, shawarma, or Old Bay Seasoning. You could also try chilli crunch (a spicy chilli oil) for a kick of heat.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to find a balance that enhances the natural sweetness of the parsnips without overwhelming their flavour. Happy seasoning and happy air frying!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for roasting parsnips in an air fryer will depend on the size of the parsnips and the model of the air fryer. However, a good starting temperature is 400°F/200°C.

For even cooking, it is important to ensure that the parsnips are all cut to a similar size. They can be cut into sticks, quarters, or slices about as thick as a pinky finger. Try to make the pieces roughly the same size so that they cook at the same time.

Place the parsnips in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent them from steaming and becoming soggy. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the parsnips in multiple batches.

Cooking times can vary from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the parsnips and the model of the air fryer. It is important to keep an eye on the parsnips and adjust the cooking time as needed. Check the parsnips after 10 minutes, and continue cooking for 2-3 minute intervals until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Some recipes recommend boiling or parboiling the parsnips before air frying, especially if they are larger parsnips. This can help ensure that the parsnips are soft and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. However, others find that this step is unnecessary and that air frying alone can produce delicious results.

Tips for perfect parsnips

• Choose medium-sized parsnips that are firm, with no discolouration or soft spots.
• Remove the tops and bottoms of the parsnips, and consider peeling them.
• Season the parsnips with oil, salt, and pepper, and consider adding additional seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or honey.
• Shake the air fryer basket a few times during cooking to redistribute the parsnips and ensure even cooking.

Serving suggestions

Roasted parsnips are a versatile side dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

As a Side Dish

Roasted parsnips can be served as a side dish to a variety of main courses. They pair well with meat dishes such as roast beef, roast pork, ham, or lamb. They also go well with air fryer turkey breast, roast chicken, sausage meat stuffing, roast potatoes, and other vegetables.

With Dips and Sauces

Parsnips can be served as a snack with various dips and sauces. Some suggested dips include Thousand Island dressing, ketchup, ranch, and Cane's Sauce or Alabama White Sauce. For a spicier option, try dipping them in chili garlic oil or chili crunch (a blend of dried chili, garlic, and onion in olive oil).

As a Healthier Alternative to French Fries

Air-fried parsnips can be cut into sticks or fries and served as a healthier alternative to French fries. They can be enjoyed plain or with a dip, just like regular fries.

In a Salad

Roasted parsnips can add a crunchy element to a salad. Try adding them to a Za'atar Chicken & Couscous Salad for a refreshing and tasty meal.

With Other Vegetables

Parsnips can be served alongside other roasted or air-fried vegetables, such as carrots, beetroots, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts.

As Part of a Hearty Meal

Roasted parsnips can be included in a hearty meal, such as corned beef and potato bake or puff pastry sausage plait. They also go well with thin pork chops, buttery lemon and garlic green beans, or creamed oregano mushrooms.

For a Sweet Treat

For a sweeter option, drizzle honey over the parsnips before air frying, or add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Leftovers

Leftover roasted parsnips can be used in various dishes. Chop them up and add them to a pot of cabbage soup, or include them in a bubble and squeak. They can also be reheated in the air fryer or oven and served as a side dish again.

Frequently asked questions