When you think of fries, you might not think of rutabaga, but once you try Air Fryer Rutabaga Fries, you'll want to make them again and again.
Rutabaga is a versatile root vegetable with a pale yellow, sweet tasting flesh. It's packed with nutrition and keeps for a long time.
Rutabagas are called swedes in England, Australia and New Zealand. The are also called Swedish turnips, neeps, yellow turnips and turnips depending on which region of the world.
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Rutabaga or Turnip; What's the Difference?
As I mentioned above, rutabagas are often called turnips, especially in certain countries (like Canada). However, the two vegetables are not the same. They are both members of the brassica family, which also includes cabbage, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.
Rutabagas are larger and sweeter than turnips, and they have yellow flesh while turnips are white fleshed. The two vegetables can usually be used interchangeably in recipes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This is a very easy recipe to make.
- These delicious gluten-free fries, air fryer or oven method, come out crisp and are perfect for dipping.
- Rutabagas are healthy and delicious, a perfect alternative to potatoes for making fries.
- Low carb rutabaga is paleo and keto diet friendly.
- Budget friendly swede is an economical vegetable option.
- Tasty crispy rutabaga fries (swede chips in the UK) are a healthy snack or side dish.
Ingredient Notes
- Rutabaga. Choose rutabaga that feel heavy for their size and have no soft spots.
- Vegetable Oil Use an oil with a high smoke point. I like avocado oil, but other good choices are peanut oil, sunflower oil or regular olive oil (not extra virgin)
- Seasoning I am using Cajun Seasoning here, but you can use Italian seasoning, Garam Masala, Old Bay, or even simply salt and pepper.
Instructions
Start with slicing the rutabaga into fries. Here's how to peel and slice this vegetable:
- Use a sharp knife to slice off the root and stem ends, then slice the rutabaga in half lengthwise.
- With cut sides down, cut each half into ½" slices.
- Using a paring knife, peel each slice. (easier than using a potato peeler)
- Lay the pieces flat, and slice them into ½" rutabaga sticks.
Next, toss the rutabaga fries with oil and seasoning in a large bowl.
Add the fries to the air fryer basket. Cook at 400° for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket frequently.
Recipe Tips
- Less surface area means maximum crispness. Cut the rutabaga fairly thin and in a uniform size. The fries should be around ½ inch.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will probably need to cook the fries in two batches. Overcrowding the basket will result in soggy fries.
- Shake the air fryer basket several times during the cook time to ensure even cooking.
- Rutabaga fries are at their best when served immediately. However, if you do have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container and reheat them in the air fryer at 400° for 5-10 minutes. They will not be as crisp when reheated, but will still be tasty!
FAQ's
No, rutabaga has own distinct, but still delicious flavour. Swedes are a cross between a turnip and a cabbage, their flavour is indicative of that. They can also be described as buttery, sweet and slightly bitter in flavour.
Yes, rutabaga is low carb and keto, paleo, and whole 30 friendly. With just 7 grams of net carbs per 100, they make a great replacement for potatoes.
If you don't have an air fryer, you might want to consider getting one! I have this one and use it constantly. However, in the meantime, yes, you can make them in the oven. For baked rutabaga fries, preheat the oven to 400° Spread the seasoned fries on a parchment lined sheet pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until fries are cooked through but crisp. (Turn halfway through).
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer rutabaga fries can go with any dishes you would enjoy traditional French fries with. Just like regular fries, they are perfect with burgers, like these Chipotle BLT Cheeseburgers, steaks: Air Fryer Flank Steaks are perfect. They're also great with chicken, especially grilled as in these Grilled Jerk Chicken Drumsticks, even fish, (Check out Air Fryer Salmon). And ribs of course Air Fryer Country Style Ribs.
Of course, you can certainly just snack on these fries by themselves, but don't forget the ketchup! Or try something a little different for dipping, like this Moroccan Hot Sauce, or a Roasted Red Pepper Dip. We also love dipping rutabaga fries in our homemade Barbecue or Tartar sauces.
Recipe
Air Fryer Rutabaga Fries
Ingredients
- 1 rutabaga about 2 pounds
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning or seasoning of your choice
Instructions
- Peel and cut the rutabaga into ½ inch fries. (See post for instructions)
- In a bowl, toss the fries with oil and seasonings to coat them
- Air fry at 400° 20 minutes, shaking the basket often. Add or subtract minutes depending on your particular air fryer.
- Serve hot, with ketchup or your favourite dip.
Jim
I’m having some right now dusted with a coffee rub usually used on steaks. YUM.
Colleen
A coffee rub sounds delicious for rutabaga fries, Jim. Enjoy!
Debra
A friend and I made these today. I used a crinkle cutter to prepare the fries. Then I split the rutabaga into two batches. I seasoned one with the garam masala and the other with a blend of various cajun/southwest spices. We loved them! If I were to do it again, I would not season the fries until they were about half done because the spices got a little too well done in order to get the fries done. Thank you so much for this delicious recipe!
Colleen
Hi Debra, You're welcome; I'm so glad you loved them and I appreciate your comment very much! Thank you for sharing your version and the helpful tip about the spices, too!
Bernice
We just did regular fries in our air fryer last night so I can imagine rutabaga fries would turn out just as amazing. We don't eat a lot of rutabaga but this recipe seems like it would make them quite delicious.
Colleen
Hope you give it a try!
Agnieszka
I had a big rutabaga in my pantry for weeks and made fries using your recipe. Happy to report that we all loved them! Even the kids who would NEVER eat rutabaga under normal circumstances.
Colleen
Hi Agniezka, Isn't it funny how you can turn anything into fries and kids will eat them? I'm happy to hear that you all loved these ones.
Sharon
I only just realised this was swede. Definitely trying these tonight. Thanks so much for the recipe 😘
Colleen
Hi Sharon! These are so good! I would love to hear back how you liked the fries.
Jeannie
Im curious if our local market have this type of root crop so I could also try this fries. This looks so good
Colleen
Hi Jeannie, I hope you can find rutabaga!
Megan Ellam
Yum yum yum! My favourites in the air fryer. Thanks for sharing!
Colleen
You're welcome, Megan! I'm so happy to give you a new favorite!
nancy
thanks for introducing me to Rutabaga
Colleen
You're so welcome, Nancy!
Sharon
These rutabaga fries are a great healthy side dish! They are a great side dish for burger bowls.
Colleen
Hi Sharon, yes, these fries would be great with burger bowls. Enjoy!
Kristen Wood
I don't think I'll ever eat rutabaga any other way again! So delicious!!
Colleen
I'm super happy that you loved the rutabaga fries, Kristen!
Anjali
I had never thought to make fries out of rutabaga before I came across your recipe! But I love this creative way to use rutabaga - it was easy to make these fries and my kids couldn't really tell the difference!
Colleen
Hi Anjali! That's great that your kids loved these healthier fries. Thanks for commenting!
Andrea
Just got a new air fryer for Christmas so I'm all about this recipe! Super excited to use my leftover rutabaga that I didn't know what to do with. What a great and easy recipe!
Colleen
Enjoy your new air fryer Andrea. This recipe won't disappoint!
Tavo
I just bought some rutabagas today and had no clue how to make them! I used your recipe and loved it! I am buying them again!
Colleen
Hi Tavo, I'm so happy to hear this. Rutabagas are awesome veggies.