Rutabaga Fries (Air Fryer and Oven Method)

Chomping on Rutabaga Fries is similar to munching on French fries, except there are very few carbs but still a lot of flavor. These Rutabaga fries can be made in an air fryer or oven, so why not give them a try?

While I'm not here to convince you that fries made from rutabaga will fool your taste buds into thinking you're eating fries made from potatoes. What I am here to convince you is that they will give you relatively the same satisfaction and scratch that itch.

For other delicious low-carb and or keto recipes, please check out my Bacon Wrapped Broccoli Stalk Appetizers, Low-Carb Creamy Mushrooms and Spinach, Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms, and Turkey Parmesan Stuffed Peppers.

The ingredient list:

*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.

• rutabaga
• olive oil
• salt
• pepper
• garlic powder

Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

In this post I'm describing how to cook the rutabaga fries in a conventional oven as well as in an air fryer.

The air fryer I have is quite large (with a 20 quart capacity) and comes with some really nice grated shelves. I used those in two layers (as you can see in the video) in my air fryer.

When I cook the fries in a conventional oven, I use my rimmed baking sheets that I cover with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.

I also used my chef's knife, that I keep nice and sharp by using my small knife sharpener, a large wooden cutting board, and some oven gloves for use in both the oven and air fryer. And, as needed, I use my trusty kitchen timer (or my good friend, Alexa) to keep me from veering off task and burning food.

And lastly, I used one of my very favorite stainless steel large mixing bowls that I can always count on to hold a lot of ingredients, and it's perfect for flipping and tossing veggies in oil, but not one-handed. (see video. LOL)

What is a rutabaga and how does it taste?

A rutabaga is a root vegetable that's in the cruciferous family of vegetables along with broccoli, cabbage, radish, turnips, and cauliflower.

Some say rutabaga's have a flavor that's a cross between a cabbage and a turnip, and I suppose that's true. However, once cooked, they completely mellow out in flavor and I find they're quite addicting once roasted.

Why is there a wax coating on a rutabaga?

It is there to protect the vegetable from drying out so rutabagas will keep longer for storage.

The wax needs to be fully removed before eating and cooking.

How to remove the paraffin wax coating from a rutabaga and slice them for fries:

Cooking temperature for rutabaga fries:

Whether I'm cooking my fries in the air fryer or oven, I preheat either appliance to 425-degrees Fahrenheit for at least 10 minutes.

Cooking time / air fryer and oven:

In an air fryer, I cook them on a wire rack for good air circulation for approximately 15-17 minutes, stirring them twice halfway through.

In an oven, I typically cook them on a baking sheet covered with foil for approximately 30-35 minutes, stirring them twice halfway through.

The step-by-step photo instructions:

• Preheat an air fryer or conventional oven to 425-degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use a sharp chef's knife or santoku and carefully slice off the waxy skin that surrounds the entire rutabaga. Take your time.
• Cut the peeled rutabaga in half and place the flat side on the cutting board.
• Carefully slice the half rutabaga into ¼" slices.
• Stack the slices and slice the stack into ¼" slices which will make fry shapes.
• Place the rutabaga fries into a large bowl (not shown) and drizzle with olive oil.
• Shake the bowl well to coat the vegetable fries with oil.
• Season the fries with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (not shown below, but see the featured video) and shake again to season all the fries.
• Place the fries in a single layer onto a air fryer baking sheet (or onto a baking sheet for a conventional oven).
• Roast the fries in an air fryer for 15-20 minutes, stirring once halfway through the process. OR Roast the fries in a conventional oven for 30-35 minutes, stirring once halfway through the roasting process.
• Remove and serve immediately.

Is there a difference in texture between the two cooking methods for these veggie fries?

Not that I noticed, and you can see for yourself by looking at the photo above.

I wanted to show the rutabaga fries using the two different cooking methods. The fries in the basket were cooked in the air fryer, and the fries in the bowl were cooking in the conventional oven.

To me, they're very, very similar. The only difference is that that air fryer is a bit quicker than a conventional oven.

My best tips for making rutabaga fries:

• Choose a smaller size rutabaga over a larger size one as they're easier to skin and cut (see YouTube video). If needed, use two smaller rutabagas if you'd like more fries.
• Make sure the knife you use is sharp because a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one.
• Preheat the oven for at least 10 minutes before roasting the fries.
• Stir halfway through the baking process for the crispiest fries.

How to store raw rutabaga and for how long?

You can store raw rutabaga in the refrigerator for up to two months. It's best to keep them in a brown paper bag in the fridge to keep them away from light.

How to reheat rutabaga fries?

I find it's best to reheat them the same way you made them, either in the oven or air fryer to keep them as crisp as possible. Reheat the fries a temperature of 350-degrees until hot.

Additional delicious root vegetable recipes:

Roasted Parsnip and Carrots with Cardamom is one of my favorites. This particular recipe is written for a conventional oven, but this dish can also be cooked in an air fryer.

Celery Root Mashed Potatoes takes your mashed potato game and raises it to another level. Trust me. You have to try this recipe!!

My Italian Sausage, Fennel, and Potato Dinner is super simple to make and can be cooked outside on the grill or inside in the oven. This recipe is a real winner. The flavors of fennel combined with the potatoes is not to be missed.

Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

All of the recipes you'll find here on my website are in loving memory of my son, Greg, who left this earth far too soon and will be forever in our hearts.