Air Fryer Parsnip fries are a great way to change things up from typical french fries or sweet potato fries and the lemon pepper gives these parsnip fries a welcome zing! They are also surprisingly easy to make and very healthy!
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
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!*NOTE: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, and check my food regularly to ensure it's not overcooking.**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 and potentially onto your food. *The label will tell you whether it has propellants or notExpert 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, or healthy tzatziki sauce for an extra flavor boost.