Air Fryer Parsnip Fries are a great way to change it up from traditional french fries. They are surprisingly easy to make, very healthy, and WW friendly (0 points!) And the lemon pepper gives these air fryer parsnip fries a welcome zing. However, if you don't have an air fryer, you can still bake these in the oven!
These parsnip fries, made in the air fryer, make an easy side dish or snack and pair really well with sandwiches or burgers. Parsnips are a root vegetable that's in season from late summer through the winter in most places. But this is a great recipe for any time of year. This air fryer parsnip recipe was inspired by my sweet potato fries and inspired these Carrot fries (in the air fryer).
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Love parsnips? Try my Parsnip Crisps (deep fried parsnips)! They are delicious on their own but also great as a salad topping!
When I was a kid, I wasn't much of a parsnip fan because my Mom boiled them. But making fries out of parsnips then air frying them is on a completely different level! Air fried parsnips have a sweeter taste (similar to Roasted Carrots) with a distinctive earthy flavor that's slightly nutty.
Air Fryer Parsnip Fries are also healthier and lower carb than regular fries made with potatoes.
🥘Ingredient Notes
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this delicious air fryer parsnips recipe!
- Lemon pepper (affiliate link). I recommend this type of lemon pepper because it has garlic powder and onion powder for an extra flavor boost!
- Cooking oil spray. I use Avocado oil (Chosen Foods brand) because Avocado has a high smoke point. The best oils to use in the air fryer are high smoke point oils that won't burn at high temperatures. Some examples of high smoke point oils are avocado oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and light olive oil. If you use a low smoke point oil to cook food at high heat in your air fryer, it will start smoking before you reach the target temperature. The smoke will give off a burnt smell that can affect the taste of your food.
*Please see recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
*NOTE: Spray your parsnip fries (and anything you put in the air fryer) with a light spray of cooking oil, but do NOT use an aerosol cooking spray with propellants (like Pam). This can cause damage to the surface of your air fryer and cause the coating to flake off, potentially onto your food. *The label will tell you whether it has propellants or not
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Cooking Oil Spray - I recommend using avocado or canola oil spray (non-propellant) for your air fryer, as they have high smoke points and a subdued flavor that does not interfere with the flavor of your food
- Spicy - add some cajun seasoning
- Add-ons - you could also sprinkle on Italian seasoning, sea salt, parmesan cheese, or black pepper if you prefer.
- Dip - you can use ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce, aioli, or mayonnaise mixed with sriracha, and my Garlic Mayo Dipping Sauce goes well with parsnip fries.
- Lemon Pepper - if you don't have lemon pepper, check out this post on substitutes for lemon pepper!
🔪How to Make Air Fryer Parsnip Fries
Peel, cut parsnips in half, and slice parsnips with a french fry cutter/chipper.
*Although a chipper is ideal because it cuts the fries evenly and easily, if you don't have a chipper, you can use a knife, but be very careful because parsnips are hard to cut through
Spray the bottom drawer of the air fryer or the bottom of the air fryer basket, depending on the type of air fryer you have.
Spray a few squirts of cooking oil spray on top of the fries.
Then sprinkle half of the salt and lemon pepper on the raw fries.
Air fry parsnips at 390 degrees F (198 degrees C) for 15 minutes. *Use match cook if you're using a 2-drawer Ninja Foodi
When done, shake, spray again (2 squirts or so) and add more lemon pepper and salt and cook for 8-10 more minutes. *you may need a bit longer if they are not cooked through (soft inside) and don't yet have crispy edges. They take a little longer than sweet potato fries
**Cooking time will vary, depending on the type of air fryer you have and how thick you cut your fries. I set my air fryer for shorter times (I have a Ninja Foodi dual drawer), and check my food regularly to ensure it's not overcooking.
Hint: You can spray with oil again and add more lemon pepper and salt at the end, if you desire. *The additional squirt of oil will help the extra salt and lemon pepper stick
TO BAKE PARSNIP FRIES:
*Use 3 tablespoons of olive oil instead of cooking oil spray.
- Preheat oven temperature to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). (with baking sheet inside)
- Place cut, raw parsnip fries in a large bowl, add olive oil, salt, and lemon pepper, and toss to coat.
- Spread on a preheated baking sheet, in a single layer, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until slightly crisp and cooked through (a fork can easily go through)
- If they are still not crisp enough on top for your liking (and you like really crispy fries), but they're browned on the bottom and cooked through, then turn the oven up to broil (500 degrees F) and cook for about 2 more minutes, keeping a close eye on them to ensure they don't burn.
*Note: these will be higher in calories and WW points than the air fryer version
Expert Recipe Tips
- Uniform Cutting for Even Cooking. Use a french fry cutter/chipper to ensure uniform size, which helps with even cooking. If using a knife, aim for ¼-inch thick fries to achieve the best texture.
- Shake and Spray Midway. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to promote even crisping. Adding another light spray of oil and seasoning at this point enhances the crunch and flavor.
- Check for Doneness Based on Size. Cooking time varies based on fry thickness and air fryer model. Start checking at the 15-minute mark and adjust time accordingly. Parsnip fries should be golden brown with crispy edges but still tender inside.
- Reheat for Maximum Crispiness. To reheat, place fries back in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes rather than microwaving, which can make them soggy.
- Enhance Flavor with Seasonings & Dips. Try additional seasoning options like garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, or parmesan for variety. Serve with unique dips like chipotle mayo, honey mustard, Garlic Mayo Dipping Sauce or healthy tzatziki sauce for an extra flavor boost.
🥗 Main Dishes that pair well with Air Fried Parsnip fries
Parsnip fries make a great side dish for a main course lunch recipes such as these Tuna burgers (with canned tuna) (shown below), Air Fryer Salmon fillet burgers (with frozen salmon), Open-face Tuna Melts, Chicken breast burgers, or Turkey Sloppy Joes. “These Air Fryer Parsnip Fries also make a perfect side for my Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas. The combination creates a satisfying, healthy meal that's quick to prepare.”
For dinner, I recommend serving them with this Ninja Air Fryer Roast Chicken.
🍽Equipment Needed
Using an air fryer to make parsnip chips is a great alternative to using a deep fryer! You will need an air fryer for this recipe. And depending on the type you have, the cooking time may vary.
I have a Ninja Foodi and I LOVE it! I did a lot of research before I bought my Ninja Foodi dual zone 2 basket 8 quart air fryer, (affiliate link)- 9 months to be exact.
Yeah, I know, I could have had a baby in that amount of time, but I'm glad I researched it so thoroughly because I got the perfect air fryer for my family and my budget. It's the best countertop kitchen appliance I have ever owned! Some people like the basket-style air fryer, but I prefer the drawers because I can cook more than one thing at a time (and thanks to the smart finish, for different times and temperatures). Check out this post on What to Look for in an Air Fryer if you are in the market for an air fryer.
I recommend you purchase stainless steel tongs with silicone tips (affiliate link) so you don't damage the non-stick coating on your air fryer.
🌡️Storage
Store leftover parsnip chips in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. You can freeze them but they shrivel a little when reheated.
Reheat: Reheat them in them the air fryer for maximum crispness at 375 degrees F/190 degrees C for 3-5 minutes. Or heat in the microwave for 1- 2 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave.
👪 Serving Size
This parsnip air fryer recipe makes 4. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🔢WW Points
This recipe for air fryer parsnip chips is Weight Watchers friendly @ 0 WW points.
Top tip
If you have leftover parsnips, grate them up and freeze them. Then you can use them in dishes such as my Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie!
❔ Recipe FAQs
Yes, parsnip chips, especially done in the air fryer are lower in calories and carbs, and higher in fiber than potatoes or sweet potatoes. And they are 0 (zero) Weight Watchers points!
Yes, it's best to peel parsnips before cutting them into fries, as the skin can be tough and slightly bitter. However, if you prefer, you can scrub them thoroughly and leave the skin on for extra fiber and texture.
There could be a few reasons: Ensure you’re not overcrowding the air fryer basket; air needs to circulate around the fries. Make sure to spray them lightly with oil, as this helps crisp them up. Cook in batches if necessary. If they’re still soft, cook for a few extra minutes or shake the basket and reapply a small amount of oil.
So if you're looking for a healthy snack or you just want to switch things up, then you'll love these air fryer parsnip fries!
More Air Fryer Recipes
What's YOUR favorite dipping sauce for parsnip fries?
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📋 Air Fryer Parsnip Fries Recipe
Ingredients
- 6-8 medium - sized parsnips
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 5-6 squirts avocado oil spray
Instructions
- Peel, cut in half, slice parsnips with a french fry cutter/chipper. *If you don't have a chipper, you can use a knife, but be very careful because parsnips are hard to cut through
- Spray the bottom drawer of the air fryer or air fryer basket, depending on the type of air fryer you have.
- Spray a few squirts of cooking oil spray on top of the fires, sprinkle half of the salt and lemon pepper on the raw fries.
- Air fry at 390 degrees F (198 degrees F) for 15 minutes. *Use match cook if you're using a 2 drawer Ninja Foodi
- When done, shake, spray again (2 squirts or so) and add more lemon pepper and salt and cook for 8-10 more minutes. *you may need a bit long if they are not cooked through (soft inside) but check regularly*My parsnip fries took longer than sweet potato fries did (which was 20 minutes in total)
Garnish:
- You can spray again and add more lemon pepper and salt at the end, if you desire. *the additional squirt of oil will help the extra salt and lemon pepper stick.Serve with ketchup or any dipping sauce you like!
TO BAKE:
- *Use 3 tablespoons of olive oil instead of cooking oil spray.*Note: these will be higher in calories and WW points than the air fryer version
- Preheat oven temperature to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C) . (with baking sheet inside)
- Place cut, raw parsnip fries in a large bowl, add olive oil, salt, and lemon pepper, and toss to coat
- Spread on a preheated baking sheet, in a single layer, and bake for 20-15 minutes or until slightly crisp and cooked through (a fork can easily go through)
- If they are still not crisp enough on top for your liking (and you like really crispy fries), but they're browned on the bottom and cooked through, then turn the oven up to broil (500 degrees F) and cook for about 2 more minutes, keeping a close eye on them to ensure they don't burn.
Notes
-
- Uniform Cutting for Even Cooking. Use a french fry cutter/chipper to ensure uniform size, which helps with even cooking. If using a knife, aim for ¼-inch thick fries to achieve the best texture.
-
- Shake and Spray Midway. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to promote even crisping. Adding another light spray of oil and seasoning at this point enhances the crunch and flavor.
-
- Check for Doneness Based on Size. Cooking time varies based on fry thickness and air fryer model. Start checking at the 15-minute mark and adjust time accordingly. Parsnip fries should be golden brown with crispy edges but still tender inside.
-
- Reheat for Maximum Crispiness. To reheat, place fries back in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes rather than microwaving, which can make them soggy.
-
- Enhance Flavor with Seasonings & Dips. Try additional seasoning options like garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, or parmesan for variety. Serve with unique dips like chipotle mayo, honey mustard, or healthy tzatziki sauce for an extra flavor boost.
Terri Gilson
These air fryer parsnip fries are a tasty twist on regular french fries. I love how the lemon pepper adds a nice zing to the natural sweetness of the parsnips. They're so easy to make and a great healthy alternative when I'm craving something crispy to go with my burger.