Nearly everybody has a soft corner for French fries in their heart. And why not? Fries are the perfect blend of salty and starchy sweetness that when paired with ketchup make a great all-time favorite comfort food.
Considering the calories traditional fries have, many people treat fries as a guilty pleasure. Also, we cannot ignore that having fried potatoes may not be the healthiest snacking food.
But how about swapping the potatoes with beets and using very little oil and/or an air fryer?
Now, we know that beet fries aren’t something that appeal to everybody's taste buds. However, if you change the preparation style a bit and cook the fries in an air fryer basket, your opinion will surely change. What will be created next is a very delicious dish that is not only healthy but uses very little oil and has fewer calories.
You see, an air fryer is like that magical device that lets you have your cake and keep it too. Instead of dousing your ingredients in about 50 tablespoons of oil, you’ll only need two, and yet the taste will be just as delicious! Yup - the beet fries will even be crispy and crunchy!
Why Make Beet Fries?
The naturally unique root and dirt flavor of the beets develops a sweet taste when you fry them, which not only makes them more delicious but also promotes healthy snacking. A win-win if you ask us!
The best thing about the beet is that distinct flavor, among other benefits, and while there are golden beets too, we would highly recommend using red beets for this recipe. In addition to trying it, you can have it roasted, pickled, sautéed, or even raw!
Try this incredibly tasty, and of course, healthy recipe that is not only easy to make but also delicious to binge while watching your movies with the family or reading your favorite book.
BEET FRIES WITH SPICY YOGURT DIPPING SAUCE RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
for the fries
2-3 large red beets
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp white vinegar (optional)
sea salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
fresh dill or parsley (optional topping)
for the dip
1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt
1-2 tsp red pepper flakes (2 for heavy spice)
2 tbsp sliced green onion
1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
cayenne pepper, to taste
lemon pepper, to taste (optional)
DIRECTIONS (Beet Fries Two Ways)
Beet Fries Oven-Baked
Preheat the oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
Take out your beets, and give them a thorough rinsing. Cut off both ends and start cutting the beets into small 1/4-1/2 inch strips/sticks after you are done peeling them. You can also use a mandolin slicer.
There are many tips to avoiding messy beet preparation, so wear gloves to avoid getting your hands pink-stained. Beets will stain most anything they touch (something that you may want to avoid), but the color will eventually wash off your hands. You may also wish to use a non-porous cutting board.
Once done, blot beets with paper towel to remove moisture. Toss beet fries with a couple tablespoons of olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper.
Place beet fries on a baking sheet (use parchment to prevent sticking). Cook beet fries in a single layer. Spacing them apart allows better cooking and more crunch!
Bake* for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
If fries aren’t getting crispy, turn the oven to 450 and continue baking until crisp (about another 20 minutes).
Serve hot and fresh. Sprinkle with vinegar (optional), parsley or dill, and dip away!
*Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your fries and adjust baking time accordingly.
Beet Fries Air-Fryer
Rather than baking the beet sticks, use an air fryer! Air fryers create crispy fries without the oil (except for what you wish to drizzle) and tend to give a more crispy fry than the oven.
Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F, and spray air fryer basket with nonstick cooking or olive oil spray.
After beets are cut into strips (see above), blot and dry beets with a paper towel to remove moisture.
Toss beet fries with olive oil, sea salt, and ground pepper.
In batches, place beets in a single layer into your air fryer’s basket.
Start frying your beet fries until they get crunchy from the outside. Turn them halfway through frying.
Cook until crisp, about 15 minutes.*
When beet fries are done, set them aside to cool and sprinkle with more sea salt, vinegar (optional), fresh parsley or dill. Dip your crispy beet fries into a yummy Spicy Greek Yogurt Dipping Sauce (see above).
Beet fries are best eaten fresh, but if you have any leftovers, place beet fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days. Beet fries may get soggy.
*It’s important to understand and follow each individual air fryer’s instructions for frying foods. Every air fryer is different.
Written by Annabelle Carter Short.
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