This delicious and crispy homemade beet chips recipe is made with three simple ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to bake when using an air fryer.
A delicious transformation happens when beets turn into chips - they become a fun and healthy snack that kids will actually eat 😉
As a registered dietitian and mom to three kids, I've always had my eye out for different ways to serve various food, especially ones that are as nutritious as beets. So, as you can imagine, I was thrilled when I discovered how easy it was to make my own veggie chips.
After having success making my own kale chips, I ventured on to making beet chips. It's all about variety, right? 🙂
Jump to:
What is a Beet Chip?
A beet chip is one version of a veggie chip. They are like a standard potato chip in that they are sliced thin and then crisp up when oil and salt are added, but they are made using beetroot (the official name for beets) instead of potatoes.
Ingredient Notes
- Beets A nutrient dense root vegetable, also known as beetroot. Their color is so pretty and vibrant which is a reflection of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties beets provides. Beets also contain fiber, folate, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.
- Avocado oil or Olive oil Optional but highly recommended. I use extra virgin olive oil. Use a basting brush or fine oil sprayer to add just a touch of oil to enhance the flavor and give them extra crispiness.
- Salt Optional but recommended. Salt will stick to the beet whether or not you use oil. My kids like beet chips with and without salt. Use whatever salt you have on hand. For beet chips, I like to use finely granulated salt, as opposed to coarse salt. The flavor from coarse salt can overpower the natural sweetness of the beetroot.
How to Make Beet Chips
Here’s a quick overview of the steps to make these beet chips in the air fryer. For the full list of ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.
- Cut off both ends of each beet before slicing.
- Slice a beet into very thin uniform slices using a mandolin slicer. I set my slicer to the #2 setting which slices the beet into very thin 2.5 mm slices.
- Lay the beet slices in a single layer on a baking basket fit for your air fryer.
- Optional step: Lightly coat the sides of the beet slices with olive oil.
- Optional step: Sprinkle with salt.
- Air fry at 300 degrees for 8 minutes. If they aren't quite crispy enough, put them back in the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes.
- Let cool for about two minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
- If you bought beets with the beet greens still attached, cut them off about one inch above the beet first.
- Wash and scrub beets very well before cutting into them.
- There is no need to peel the beets. Just be sure to wash and scrub them well before slicing.
- I do not recommend slicing beets by hand when making beet chips because it is very hard to slice beets thin enough using a knife. Slicing beets this thin (2.5 mm) is key to making these taste most like 'chips'.
- Try not to slice the beets thinner than 2.5mm with a mandolin (i.e.: 1mm on the #1 setting) because the beet will be harder to slice, and the beet chips will be more likely to burn.
- Beet chips are best when served within five to ten minutes of making them.
- If you do not intend to serve these beet chips to your kids within 5-10 minutes of making them, place them back in the air fryer for about 2 minutes to crisp back up before serving.
- Never use aerosol spray cans in your air fryer.
- It’s best to use a good quality oil mister or simply use a silicone basting brush to brush oil on to the air fryer basket to prevent food from sticking. These methods can also be used to lightly coat the beet slices with oil to get salt to stick.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to properly and safely use your air fryer.
- I use a Cuisinart Digital AirFryer Toaster Oven. Different air fryers might require small adjustments in temperature and/or cook time.
Dietitian Tip
Veggie chips are a fun and easy way to expose kids to foods in a different way. Just because they don't like beets, doesn't mean they won't like beet chips.
If you have a child who doesn't like beets, call it a veggie chip or a "new kind of chip" when serving them for the first time. And if your child prefers veggies with dip, try serving beet chips with something to dip it in, like yogurt or hummus.
Questions You May Have
Dehydrated beet chips have more moisture removed and have a longer shelf life than baked beet chips made in the oven or air fryer.
Dehydrating beet chips takes several hours, while air frying them takes just a few minutes.
If you know me, I prefer not to use the word "healthy" to describe any particular food because what is healthy for one person may not be healthy for another.
With that being said, beets are full of a variety of nutrients that would benefit most people.
Yes, beets contain nitrates. While nitrates have been linked to negative health effects, studies have shown that nitrates from vegetables offer health benefits.
Beet chips can be stored in an air-tight food-safe container or resealable bag. They should last for one to two weeks.
If beet chips soften while stored, place them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp back up before serving.
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Did you make these beetroot chips and love them? Please rate it 5 stars or leave a comment below!
When you make them and post a pic on IG, don't forget to tag me @carrots.and.cookies so I can see it!
📖 Recipe
Best Air Fryer Beet Chips
Ingredients
- 1 Beet Washed and scrubbed well.
- ¼ teaspoon olive oil Extra virgin. Optional.
- ¼ teaspoon salt optional
Instructions
- Slice the tip of the beet off and discard. Pull off remaining root strands. Wash and scrub well. A textured vegetable scrub cloth works wonders for this step.
- Use a mandolin to slice the beet.
- Use a high heat oil (like avocado oil) to coat the air fryer basket.
- Lay the beet slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Optional: lightly coat the beet slices with olive oil and/or sprinkle with a small amount of salt.
- Air fry at 300° for 8 minutes.
Notes
- I use a Cuisinart Digital AirFryer Toaster Oven. Different air fryers might require small adjustments in temperature and/or cook time.
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