Serve some delicious air fryer parsnips with your next Sunday roast dinner, or enjoy them as a quick and easy side dish any day of the week.

Parsnips are a great addition to any meal, and air frying them makes them quick and easy to prepare. Youโll love how crispy they get โ just like you would if you roasted them in the oven.
Theyโre perfect for anyone who loves roast parsnips, but doesnโt want to spend time in the kitchen preparing them.
How to Make Air Fryer Parsnips
We have included a video to show you how easy it is to cook parsnips in the air fryer.
Jump straight to what you need to know or continue reading for more detailed instructions.
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Ingredients
You can keep the ingredients simple and let the parsnips naturally sweet flavour come through. Or add some extras for a more slightly sweet flavour
Parsnips
Parsnips are root vegetables that can be found in most grocery stores. A healthy vegetable with a natural sweetness, perfect for roasting or air frying.
Find parsnips which are firm, with no soft spots and all a similar size, so they can be cut into the same size batons, helping them to cook evenly.
Oil
Olive oil is a healthy cooking oil that is perfect for cooking vegetables in the air fryer. You can use other oils, such as light olive oil, avocado oil or vegetable oil. If you only want to add a little oil, try using a spray oil instead.
Salt & Pepper
Adding a little salt and black pepper to your taste is all you need in this air fryer parsnip recipe. But there are other extras you may like to add.
Extras
Try using garlic powder or a sprinkle of dried herbs like Italian seasoning, paprika or thyme.
If the parsnips natural flavor is not sweet enough for you? Make them the same way as our oven honey-roasted parsnips by adding a little honey glazed over the parsnips before putting in the air fryer basket.
You could use maple syrup or agave in the same way.
Equipment
You will need a vegetable peeler to peel your parsnips. And an air fryer, we use the ninja foodi dual zone, I love having the two air fryer baskets, so I can cook air fryer roast potatoes and parsnips at the same time.
Preparation
The preparation is similar to oven-roasted parsnips, but air fry parsnips cook in half the time than oven roasting!
Peel parsnips and chop them into even-size batons.
Place the cut parsnips in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
Season them with salt and black pepper. If you want to add dried herbs, spices or honey, add that now too.
Mix together to coat them evenly; you can use your hands or a spoon.
You can make thinner air fryer parsnip fries (cut them like french fries) or parsnip chips, as we would call them in the UK!
How to Cook Parsnips in the Air Fryer
Place parsnips in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd the air fryer.
Cooking Temperature
Turn the cook mode to air fry, with the temperature at 200ยฐC /400ยฐF. There is no need to preheat air fryer first.
Cooking time
Cook for 12 minutes. Turning the parsnips in air fryer halfway through cooking is not essential, but they come out tender and golden brown all over, so its worth the extra effort in my experience.
Check after 12 minutes and add more time if needed.
Note: cook times will vary depending on the size of the parsnips and air fryers brand. Check after 12 minutes and continue cooking until they are tender and golden brown all over.
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot air fryer parsnips as a great side with any Sunday roast dinners. Such as roasted chicken, turkey, roast lamb, pork or beef.
Roast Dinners
Here are a few of our most popular roasting joints.
๐ Step by Step Recipe
Air Fryer Parsnips
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Parsnips
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- Pinch Salt and Black Pepper
Optional Extras
- ยฝ teaspoon Dried Herbs
- ยผ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- Sprinkle Thyme - for garnish
Instructions
- Peel parsnips.4 Parsnips
- Cut parsnips into even size batons.
- Put in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- Season with salt and black pepper.Optional* Add any other optional flavourings now too.Pinch Salt and Black Pepper, ยฝ teaspoon Dried Herbs, ยผ teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1 tablespoon Honey
- Mix together with your hands or a spoon, to coat evenly.
- Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Set to air fry mode with the temperature set at 200ยฐC /400ยฐF.
- Cook for 6 minutes turnover and then cook for a further 6-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme. Serve as a great side with a Sunday Roast dinnerSprinkle Thyme
Video
Nutrition
Storage advice
Air fryer roasted parsnips will keep in the fridge for at least 3 days after cooking, stored in an airtight container.
If you want to freeze leftover parsnips, once cooled, place them in a freezer bag and they will last for 6-8 months.
You can reheat parsnips, in the air fryer or in the microwave until hot through.
Parsnip FAQโs
No, you do not need to parboil parsnips before air frying. Cutting them into even sized batons and coated in oil will ensure they cook evenly without needing to parboil first.
Yes, any type of cooking oil can be used in this recipe. A spray oil can be used to lightly coat the parsnips instead of pouring on cooking oil.
Yes, you will need to peel most parsnips before chopping them into even-sized batons. However, if you buy baby parsnips, they will not need peeling first.
Yes, you can cook frozen parsnips in the air fryer. They may take a few minutes longer to cook than fresh parsnips. For example, Aunt Bessie honey-roasted parsnips take 15-18 minutes.
You can drizzle over honey or maple syrup before air frying for added sweetness.
Other Air Fryer Recipes
Here is a selection of other air fryer recipes we think you will love. From air fryer chips to beef kebabs we have loads to choose from.
- Jacket Potato in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Sausages (Cooking Sausages in Air Fryer)
- Bacon in the Air Fryer (UK and US Air Fry Bacon)
- Tandoori King Prawn Skewers (Indian Starter)
More Vegetable Side Dishes
We have a wide selection of vegetable side dishes you may be interested in.
I hope you all enjoyed this recipe for roasted parsnips in the air fryer! If you try it, let me know what you think in the comments below.
Iโd love to hear from you. What do you serve with your roast dinners? Let me know in the comments below.
Markus says
The airfryer is my favorite 'modern' appliance. A truly usefull tool to have in the kitchen to cook all kinds of meats and vegetables in half the time roasting in the oven would take!
Kay says
Thank you for your kind words, Markus. We're so happy you're enjoying your Air Fryer! ๐
Amy Liu Dong says
I am going to prepare my ingredients and my air fryer to make this dish. Thank you!
Kay says
Hi Amy, thanks for trying our air fryer parsnips recipe! We're glad you're looking forward to cooking it up. If you have any questions or need help along the way, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Happy frying! ๐
Jamie says
Wow! An amazing side dish to complement any main dish we're preparing! Definitely looks so yummy plus the best part is it's easy to prepare and will only take 12 mins to cook!
Kay says
Thank you for trying our Air Fryer Parsnips, Jamie! We're so glad you enjoyed them and they added a delicious touch to your meal. They really are easy to prepare and cook up quickly.
We hope you'll give them another try soon!
Jenny says
It's been YEARS since I've eaten parsnips. YUM! I love these in the air fryer and the mix of herbs are perfect.
Kay says
Thanks for trying our Air Fryer Parsnips, Jenny! We're so glad you enjoyed them, and the herbs gave them a perfect flavour. We hope you'll give them a try again soon. ๐