Sweet, juicy, and tender air fryer roasted beets are a delicious side dish that is very easy and takes a few minutes to prepare. These perfectly roasted beets are vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and whole30. You can add them beside a salad or main dish, or enjoy them as is.

The air fryer does quick work for roasted vegetables, so you do not need to stand in the kitchen to make it. Simply toss the vegetable in the air fryer and have these roasted beets all year round without heating the kitchen. Here are some tips, benefits of having beets, and a recipe guide to make this recipe perfectly.

Also if you love beets as a side dish, then also try our Air Fryer Plantains, Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes, and Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potato Fries.

Health Benefits of Beets

Beets are also known as beetroots, and they are a very popular root-type vegetable. This root vegetable is used by many chefs in their cuisines worldwide because of its nutritional and beneficial health benefits. Here are some excellent health beneficial points that make beet a great vegetable.

You Get Many Nutrients with Few Calories

Even though beet is a low-calorie vegetable, it has many nutrients packed in. Beets are vastly popular because it has many minerals and vitamins such as fiber, folate, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin B6, etc. Additionally, beets have antioxidant pigments and inorganic nitrates, which have their health-beneficial capabilities.

Controls Blood Pressure

Nitrates of beets assist in controlling the blood pressure of those who eat beets. Nitrates are known to have the ability to lower blood pressure. That relieves you from getting heart attacks, heart failure, or a stroke.

Improves Athletic Performance

Consuming beets about 2 to 3 hours before competing or training can drastically improve athletic performance because of its good mineral presence.

Fights Off Inflammation

Pigments like betalains are present in beets which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Also, beetroot extract and beetroot juice can decrease kidney inflammation.

Different Varieties of Beets

Beet or beetroot is mostly cultivated in the winter season or cooler climates. But they are available all year round, peak season for beets are mostly mid-summer to late fall. You can find beets in different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can use red, golden, and candy cane beets as they are common varieties.

Red Beets

Red beets are the most common variety that you can find everywhere. It is deep in maroon color and often found in round and long shapes. They are perfect for roasting and have a sweet taste.

Golden Beets

Golden beets look like golden bright yellow flesh that has orange skin. These beets are not sweet like red beets but perfect for roasting and making soups.

Candy Cane Beets

Candy cane beets have red and white strips inside and pinkish exteriors that resemble a candy cane. When you roast them, the stripped coloring fades, but they have a tasty, sweet, and mild earthy flavor.

Air Fryer Roasted Beets Recipe

Beets
Extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Lemon juiced and zest

How To Make Roasted Beets In The Air Fryer?

Wash beets, trim the top and the root, then peel beets and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
In a large bowl, pour the chopped beets. Add oil and salt, and toss them to mix well.
Place the seasoned beets in the air fryer basket and cook for 380℉ for 20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes.
After the beets are fully roasted, transfer the beets to a bowl, add the juice of 1/2 lemon and some zest, then toss to coat. Serve immediately.

What Goes Well with Beets?

You can serve roasted air fryer beets with any sort of main dish or protein or vegan cheese. It will be a great addition to family gatherings and festivals like Christmas and Thanksgiving!
I love to include these roasted beets with salad and grain bowls like vegetable rice, walnut salad, vegan taco salad, and vegan Italian pasta salad.

Do You Need to Peel Beets Before Air Frying?

Since the recipe needs the beets to cut into smaller shapes so I will recommend peeling them first. However, when roasting the beets, some people leave the skins and peel the skins after roasting as they usually come out easily. But, peel the beet first as it is rough and makes the beet bitter after cooking.

What Is An Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a healthier option for frying and roasting foods. Instead of using too much oil in deep frying or shallow frying, use an air fryer that circulates hot temperatures to cook or fry the food.

When you start the electricity of the air fryer, it circulates hot air inside the machine. The food gets exact crispness similar to fried food but without mixing the food in greasy oil. This way, it is perfect for crisping foods and roasting vegetables with minimal oil.

Use an air fryer because it is healthier as it uses less oil or no oil than pan-frying or deep frying. You can cook food faster, and it is easy to clean up and set up the options.

Note: Air fryer heating temperature varies depending on the model, size, make and type. So, make sure you use this recipe of using an air fryer as a guide only and check and adjust the temperature as needed. Check the recommended instruction for using your air fryer and set it up accordingly.

Additional Tips and Substitution

To keep your hands away from beet stains, peel them in a large bowl of water.
Be sure that the beets are all-around 1 inch thick so that you cook them evenly. If you cut them in large or smaller shapes, you need to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.
You can easily double the number of beets if needed. Simple increase time to 25-30 minutes.
Feel free to change up to or add some spices like garlic, dried herbs, pepper, or add more salt to taste.
You can mix different kinds of beets or stick to one kind. The cooking time will be the same whatever beet you pick for the recipe.
If you mix the beets then the red beets will give discoloration to the golden and candy cane beets. Also keep in mind that the candy cane stripes will fade when you roast them.

More Amazing Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables

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Air Fryer Roasted Beets

Sweet, juicy, and tender air fryer roasted beets are a delicious side dish that is very easy and takes a few minutes to prepare.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fryer roasted beets

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Servings: servings

Calories: 83kcal

Equipment

1 air fryer

Ingredients

2 large beets
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 lemon juice and zest

Instructions

Wash, peel and cut the beets evenly, in about 1-inch cubes.
In a large bowl, pour the chopped beets. Add oil and salt, and toss them to mix well.
Place the seasoned beets in the air fryer basket and cook for 380℉ for 20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes.
After the beets are fully roasted, transfer the beets to a bowl, add the juice of 1/2 lemon and some zest, then toss to coat. Serve immediately.