Air Fryer Roasted Swede

Air Fryer Roasted Swede is the most delicious way to cook this humble root vegetable. The cubes of swede (rutabaga) are part cooked in the microwave then roasted to sweet perfection in your air fryer. If you love roast parsnips then you really have to try this recipe.

Why should I make Air Fryer Roasted Swede?

If you thought you didn’t like swede because you’ve only had watery mash, then this recipe is for you! I am quite a fan of well made mashed swede (bashit neeps in Scotland) but I have been served some horrors too.

Air Fryer Roasted Swede is nothing like that, it’s more like a combination of roast parsnips and roast potatoes. It has the same kind of vegetable sweeetness as roasted parsnips but with a firmer texture like roast potatoes.

What is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a bit like a mini oven. However, the element is only at the top of the air fryer and it uses a powerful fan to circulate the heat. This combination of intense heat and circulation means that food crisps up quickly.

Air fryers were originally sold for their ability to create ‘fried’ food with less fat. But the air fryer has developed and more people are recognising the potential to cook and bake all kinds of foods in this way.

Why should I roast swede in my air fryer?

An air fryer is really convenient for small quantities. Compared to your oven, an air fryer will heat up quickly due to the smaller size and the fan. And cooking in an air fryer is about half the cost of cooking in a standard oven. The circulating heat in the air fryer helps to ensure that the swede roasts evenly and quickly.

What ingredients do I need to make Air Fryer Roasted Swede?

This is a very simple side dish which uses very few ingredients. Here is what you will need:

• swede
• oil
• salt
• pepper

A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article

What is swede?

A swede is a root vegetable with a creamy orange flesh and a skin which can be anything from green to purple depending on the variety. In Scotland they are known as ‘neeps’ or turnips and this name comes from Swedish Turnip. In other countries they can also be known as rutabaga.

The swede grows well in colder climates and will last through the winter if stored correctly. In my childhood in Scotland, neeps, carrots and cabbage were the most served vegetables along with plenty of tatties (potatoes).

However, the swede has rather fallen out of fashion as other vegetables have become available all year round. It still has a place as part of a traditional Burns Supper celebrating the birthday of Scottish poet, Robert Burns, but it is also used extensively as a nutritious feed for sheep!

What kind of oil should I use?

I use a standard flavourless vegetable oil for this recipe. That could be sunflower oil, rapeseed oil (canola) or you can use olive oil if you prefer.

How do I prepare the swede?

Peel off the thick skin from the swede. I use a vegetable peeler and keep peeling until I see the orange flesh. Then you need to cut the swede first into thick slices and then into cubes. Swede is quite a dense vegetable so be careful as you knife can get stuck. Use the longest knife you have so you can give it a good push through.

Can I use ready prepared swede?

Many supermarkets sell ready diced swede and you certainly can use this. Just check the size of the pieces as they may need less time roasting if they are smaller than those I’ve prepared for this recipe.

Salt and Pepper

You only need a little salt for this recipe but it helps to bring out the flavour of the swede and it’s best added before roasting in your air fryer. But I recommend a lot of freshly ground black pepper is added AFTER you have roasted the swede.

I don’t like pepper, can I leave it out?

Yes, of course. If you don’t enjoy the flavour of pepper then don’t add it. You may want to add other seasonings, but I recommend you taste the roasted swede with out other seasonings before you try them. It really is very delicious with just a little salt.

I don’t have a microwave, how do I prepare the swede for roasting?

I use the microwave to slightly soften the swede but you can do this in a steamer or simply in a saucepan on the stove with a little water. It’s best not to cover the swede cubes in water and boil them, just put them in the pan and fill about a third of the way up with water.

Bring the water to a boil, then turn down the heat and put a lid on the pan. Check after 5 minutes to see if the swede has started to soften and once it is you can drain off the water and continue to the air fryer.

Can I do any preparation ahead of time?

Yes, you can peel and cube the swede, then store it in the fridge in a lidded container for up to 3 days. You can also part cook the swede in the microwave or on the stove and store the part cooked swede in the fridge or 24 hours.

Can I freeze Air Fryer Roasted Swede?

I don’t recommend freezing this recipe after it has been cooked. However, you can freeze part cooked swede. Open freeze the part cooked cubes on a baking tray, the store in a freezer proof container or freezer bag. Cook from frozen adding an additional 2-3 mintues to the air frying time.

Vegetarian

This recipe is suitable for a vegetarian diet.

Gluten Free

This recipe is gluten free. However, as always you should check any labels to ensure that it is suitalbe for your dietary requirements.

For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

How should I serve Air Fryer Roasted Swede?

I like to serve it with my Air Fryer Balmoral Chicken, where I use it in place of potatoes and serve a green vegetable alongside.

You can serve roasted swede with all kinds of different dishes and it’s especially good with grills and roasts. Try roasted swede with my Scottish Mince Beef Pie, Beef Stew and Dumplings or Slow Cooker Lamb with Gravy.