These easy roasted air fryer beets are ready in about 15 minutes and make a wonderful side dish, snack, or salad topping. Tender with caramelized edges, they bring out the beets’ natural sweetness and are naturally Whole30, Paleo, vegan, and gluten-free when prepared as shown.
An air fryer is ideal for roasting vegetables quickly and evenly. The high, circulating heat creates caramelized edges and tender centers—perfect for beets. Roasted beets are delicious on their own, stirred into grain bowls, tossed into salads, or spooned over beaten Greek yogurt for a bright, creamy side inspired by recipes from chefs like Ottolenghi.
Beets are a nutritious root vegetable rich in fiber, folate, manganese, and other vitamins and minerals. Regularly including beets in your meals supports overall health and can help with blood pressure regulation. These air-fried roasted beets are an easy way to add a nutritious, colorful vegetable to your weekly rotation.
Why We Love Air Fryer Beets:
- Fast and easy—ready in roughly 15 minutes in the air fryer
- Tender inside with beautifully caramelized edges
- Versatile: serve as a side, snack, or salad/grain bowl topping
Ingredients and Notes
- Beets – About 1 pound of medium to small beets (red, golden, or striped). Trim the greens if attached and use the greens in salads or sautés.
- Oil – Olive oil, avocado oil, or another neutral cooking oil to coat the beets.
- Vinegar – A small amount of white, balsamic, or red wine vinegar brightens the flavor and balances sweetness; optional.
- Garlic powder – For savory depth.
- Kosher salt & ground black pepper – To season.
How To Make Air Fryer Roasted Beets
Scroll to the recipe card below for exact measurements and a printable version.
Beets can stain skin and surfaces. Consider wearing gloves while handling them.
1. Trim the root and stem ends from each beet. Peel with a vegetable peeler or a paring knife.
2. Cut the beets into quarters, then into evenly sized pieces or roughly 1-inch cubes so they cook uniformly.
3. In a large bowl, toss the beet pieces with oil and a splash of vinegar (if using). Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the beets in a single layer in the basket, avoiding heavy stacking to allow hot air to circulate. Air fry for 15–18 minutes, shaking the basket or stirring once halfway through, until the beets are fork-tender and the edges are caramelized.
5. Remove the roasted beets and serve warm. If you cook multiple batches, return all batches to the air fryer for a minute or two to warm everything evenly before serving.
Tips for Success
- Choose firm, unblemished beets for the best texture and flavor.
- Preheating the air fryer improves browning—add a couple of minutes of cooking time if you skip this step.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if needed and reheat briefly to combine batches.
How To Serve Roasted Beets
Roasted beets are adaptable and pair well with many dishes:
- As a side with roasted or grilled proteins.
- Mixed into salads or grain bowls for color and sweetness.
- As a snack with a dipping sauce or tossed with warm grains.
- Spooned over beaten Greek yogurt (season the yogurt with a pinch of salt), then top with roasted beets, crumbled feta, chopped parsley, and a drizzle of chili oil for a creamy, tangy, sweet, and spicy contrast.
Seasonings and Variations
Try these simple variations to change the flavor profile:
- Spicy: Add smoked paprika, cayenne, or red pepper flakes.
- Herby: Toss with dried rosemary, Italian seasoning, or Herbes de Provence.
- Seasoning Mix: Use a tablespoon of Cajun or ranch seasoning in place of the basic spices.
- Sweet Glaze: Stir in a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup before roasting for extra caramelization and sweetness.
How To Roast Beets In The Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Spread the seasoned beets on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, turning once, until fork tender and caramelized.
- Serve warm.
Common Questions
Do you have to peel beets before roasting?
Peeling is optional. For smaller, young beets you can roast with the skin on and rub it off afterward; for ease and a cleaner finished presentation, peel before cutting and roasting.
Can you air fry canned beets?
Canned beets can be warmed in the air fryer, but they rarely caramelize the same way fresh beets do because they contain more moisture. Use canned beets primarily for reheating or in preparations where caramelization is not required.
How to cook whole beets in the air fryer?
Rinse and dry whole beets, coat lightly with oil, and air fry at 380°F (193°C) for about 30 minutes, or until a fork slides into the center easily. Cooking times will vary by beet size.
How To Store Roasted Beets
Keep leftover roasted beets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for a few minutes until warmed through.
You can freeze roasted beets, but their texture softens after thawing; frozen beets work best in soups, spreads, or purees. To freeze, cool completely, place in freezer-safe bags, and freeze up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator or reheat directly from frozen for some preparations.
More Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love:
- Air Fryer Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
Recipe
Easy Roasted Air Fryer Beets
Author: Farwin Simaak
These easy roasted air fryer beets are ready in about 15 minutes and make a tasty, nutritious side that pairs well with many main dishes.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Servings: 4
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound beets
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp vinegar (balsamic, white, or red wine), optional
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the ends off the beets and peel with a vegetable peeler or paring knife.
- Quarter the beets and cut into evenly sized pieces or 1-inch cubes.
- In a large bowl, toss beets with oil and vinegar (if using). Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Place the beets in a single layer in the basket and air fry for 15–18 minutes, shaking or stirring once halfway through, until fork-tender and caramelized at the edges.
- Remove and serve warm. If cooking multiple batches, briefly rewarm all portions together before serving.
Notes
- Beets can stain skin—wear gloves when preparing if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
- To freeze, place cooled beets in a freezer bag for up to three months; thaw in the refrigerator or use directly in soups and purees.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 99 kcal | Total Carbs: 12 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 5 g | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 8 g
If you tried this recipe, consider leaving a comment or rating to share how it turned out. Happy air frying!