Side dishes are really important on any holiday table. Take a look at many more in our Christmas collection. This recipe couldn’t be easier! Toss the medium turnips, cut into cubes with your favorite seasonings—think salt, pepper, and maybe a little garlic powder for that extra flavor boost. Finally, pop them in the air fryer and let it work its magic! How easy can this be! No Air Fryer? No Problem! You can easily make oven-baked roasted turnip cubes on a baking sheet too. Just spread them out, season them, and roast until golden and tender. No matter which method you choose, these turnip cubes are a fantastic side dish that everyone will enjoy!
Why you’ll love this recipe?
5-Minute Hands-On Time: There’s hardly any prep! Just dice up the turnips, and if you grab store-bought diced turnips, you can skip even that. Super easy! Quick & Easy: No matter which method you choose - air fryer or oven, these turnip cubes are a fantastic side dish that everyone will enjoy! Versatile: Go simple with seasoning or any of your favourites Health Benefits: Turnips are low in carbs and packed with fiber and Vitamin C. Dietary Needs: Suitable for Vegetarians, Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free—this dish ticks all the boxes!
Seasoning – I like to keep it simple with salt, pepper, medium paprika, and garlic powder to enhance the natural flavor. Sunflower Oil or Olive Oil – Either works well; just use whichever you have on hand. Optional – A little butter for extra richness, if you want to make them extra indulgent.
A Festive Twist - Air fryer turnips and carrots
For festive flavors,, I love to roast turnips and carrots together. After air-frying or oven-roasting them, drizzle with honey or maple syrup and give them another quick roast. It takes just about 20 minutes, and trust me—these honey-glazed turnips and carrots are always a hit at the holiday table. Seasoning: Next, I toss the cubed turnips with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and a drizzle of oil to give them that extra crispy edge. Air Fry: I transfer the seasoned turnips into the air fryer basket and air fry at 190°C for about 10 minutes, or until they’re tender and golden. Serve: Once they’re done, I take them out of the air fryer, garnish with some fresh herbs, and serve them up! If you want to switch things up, you can also cut the turnips into long strips and make turnip fries. Serve them with some boom boom sauce or vegan burger sauce—so good!
My Tips for the Best Air Fryer Turnips
Don’t Overcrowd:Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. If needed, cook in two batches for perfectly crispy turnips. Cut Evenly: Make sure the turnips are cut into equal-sized cubes so they cook evenly. Skip the Boil: No need to boil the turnips before air frying—it’s quicker and still gives great results! Cooking Time: The time I’ve given works for in-season turnips, but feel free to adjust depending on how tender they are. Air Fry or Oven Roast: Both methods work, but the air fryer is faster!
Storing leftovers
In the fridge: Store the cooled cooked turnips in an air-tight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer basket and heat thoroughly before serving. In the freezer: Store the cooled cooked turnips in freezer-safe containers or plastic bags, label them and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, defrost overnight in the fridge. Reheat thoroughly before serving. Air fryer roasted turnips are also one of my favorite make-ahead sides. You can prepare them up to 2 days in advance and keep them in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat them in the air fryer, and they’re good to go. It’s the perfect way to save time while still offering a delicious, warm side dish.
Love this Vegetarian Christmas side dish, you will also love
Roasted Winter root vegetables Roasted Potatoes Mexican roasted sweet potato cubes Indian Aloo Gobi tray bake Vegan Sage and Onion Stuffing Nandos Macho peas recipe Roast Parsnips with maple syrup and thyme
Post a photo of your creation on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #sandhyaskitchen. I would love to see your pictures! Subscribe to our weekly newsletters!
