Roasted turnips might just be one of my new favorite discoveries while eating low carb! They’re subtly sweet, oh so creamy, and they make the perfect side dish for breakfast or dinner!
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I’ve been on a big radish kick lately since those are such a great replacement for potatoes, but I think I was beginning to burn out my family.
I switched things up and started playing around with turnips.
To be honest, we’d never eaten turnips before recently so these were totally new to us and I’m happy to report: They’re a hit!
I busted out the air fryer for this recipe, because I love how quickly it cooks things and how easy it is to use without heating up the whole oven/kitchen, but I’m also including instructions for roasting turnips in the oven below. Check the recipe card for details!
How to make roasted turnips in the air fryer:
To start, you’ll want to grab a couple of turnips. I like to peel mine before cooking, but it’s not strictly necessary.
Dice the turnips up into small chunks.
I’m keeping these roasted turnips nice and simple and just tossing them in a little oil and seasoning. You can add whatever seasonings you like though.
I use avocado oil (affiliate link), because it’s a nice neutral oil, great at high temperatures, and it’s keto-friendly.
I seasoned the turnips with paprika, salt, and pepper. Super simple, but feel free to play with the spices to suit your tastes.
Toss the turnips in your preheated air fryer and cook for about 10 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking.
They come out all roasted on the outside and super creamy on the inside.
Serve these turnips alongside my baked cod or one of my shrimp recipes!
How to roast turnips in the oven:
The same method applies as above.
Season up your turnips, but place them on a baking sheet instead of in an air fryer.
Roast at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
They get so soft and creamy and delicious.
What do turnips taste like:
Turnips have a bad rep of being bitter. And yes, they definitely can be bitter – the larger and more old a turnip is, the more bitter it will taste. Choose turnips that are about the size of a tennis ball.
Roasting them like this helps bring out the natural sweetness.
Are turnips good for a low carb or keto diet?
Turnips are perfect for a low carb or keto diet!
1 medium turnip has 8 grams of carbs and 2.2 grams of fiber, making one whole turnip just 5.8 net carbs.
They’re also a good source of Vitamin C!
What air fryer do you recommend?
I only have experience with one brand/model of air fryer, but I’m very happy with it and it has amazing reviews on Amazon, which is why I purchased it.
I use the OMORC Air Fryer XL. It’s 5.8 quarts which means that it’s large enough to hold plenty of food. Some of those air fryers are tiny (which is fine for small households!), but I wanted a bigger one for my family of four.
It’s dishwasher safe, too. Always a win in my book.
More low carb side dish recipes:
Cauliflower Casserole: You won’t miss the potatoes with this one!
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Bacon really does make everything better!
Broccoli Salad: If you love cheddar, bacon, and ranch you really have to try this!
Coleslaw: This is my mama’s famous recipe!
Broccoli Casserole: The cheesiest!
Roasted Turnips (Air Fryer or Oven Recipe)
Ingredients
- 4 medium turnips
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 2 teaspoons minced parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees or the oven to 450 degrees.
- Peel and dice the turnips and place them in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the avocado oil, paprika, sea salt, and pepper to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Spread the turnips in an even layer in the air fryer basket or on a large baking sheet.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through cooking. Alternately, bake for 20-25 minutes or until the turnips are as soft and browned as you'd like.
- Sprinkle with parsley just before serving.
Toni says
These were amazingly good. I put ranch on after they were out of the oven. I’ll be doing these again
Karly Campbell says
So glad you liked them, Toni!
Dar says
Also try radiah! Unbelievable potato replacement in everything.. stew, soup, roasted slices
Cynthia says
Theses were yummy, i put sour cream and butter on too….heaven
Dar says
Rutabagas are awesome for fries or these chunks!
Annabelle Ramirez says
I usually use turnips as a potato substitute in soups and stews…had never done this way. They came out awesome. I used salt and Garlic and herbs seasoning. They came out so good. Thank you.
Karly Campbell says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Brian says
What do you do to prep them for soup, for instance I will be using them like cubed potatoes.
Shannon Rice says
I love the idea of roasting turnips, but do you think this will work for Swedish turnips ? My grandad called them neeps – I think they’re also called rutabaga? I’m trying to take some of his rustic childhood foods and jazz them up. What do you think ?
Karly Campbell says
I’ve never tried roasting rutabaga, but I know others have. You might look up a recipe for that specifically as the time may be different. 🙂
John Milne says
Neeps is Scots for turnips. They call potatoes tatties too. And there is a variety of turnip which is usually used for feeding cattle called manglewurzle. We’re a weird lot, the British.
Johnny Longdong says
I love me a nice set of tatties! Like smashing em up and shovin my banger in it…crikey!
Aline says
I tried this recipe today and it was outstanding! A nice change and better than potatoes when weight-watching. My husband enjoyed them as well. He sprinkled parm cheese over them and they were delish as well. Will defintely add to our weekly menu. Down side, not major, not fun to peel or cut; but neither are potatoes. Thank you.
Saralee says
I didn’t think root veggies were good for “keto” diets?
Karly Campbell says
Hi Saralee! We eat lower carb/lower starch veggies on keto, but you’ll have to make that decision for yourself.
Dee says
i just made these for lunch in my air fryer and although they looked crispy they weren’t on the outside. I even cooked them for longer than suggested to crisp them up a bit more. Any suggestions as to why or is that just how they are? A big soggy?
Karly Campbell says
They’ll never get crispy like potatoes would, because they’re not starchy like potatoes.
Susan says
I make them crispy by frying in a cast iron pan with a little onion and oil or butter. Then put the pan into the oven for about ten minutes.
Jackie burns says
Amazing! Entire family lived these. My daughter said it was her most favorite low carb recipe yet! Thanks for the recipe!
Karly Campbell says
Oh wow! I love to hear that! Thanks, Jackie. 🙂
Cassandra says
If you can only find large turnips you can still work with them, you just need to add an extra step after peeling the turnip: parboil it in a pot of salted water (or broth) for about 10 minutes. Remove the turnip and, once it’s cool enough to handle, chop it. Parboiling makes chopping easier and removes the bitterness. If you over boil you’ll end up with fully cooked turnips.
Noreen says
Thanks Cassandra! Nice to know I can buy the larger ones if that is all they have and still have my roasted turnips. I made this last night and even my husband, who hates turnips, loved them.
Katherine West says
Awesome tip! Thank you
Lan says
What a hoot!! Just trying to figure what other vegetable I could try . Was considering turnip when you sent the recipe for roasted turnip. It made me laugh.!! Not into brussel sprouts, radishes, or cucumber girl but turnips maybe. Had been considering adding one to grocery list to try. Have never eaten a turnip in my life but Mom like turnip and green and cooked and ate both.
Guess I am a picky eater, my daughter was picky when she was growning up and I hid vegetable in other dishes by chopping them really small. I have been hiding vegetables and using lots of spices to mssk taste of vegetables for years. Learned to eat brocolli and asparagus by adding cheese and spices, now can eat them much plainer and like the taste. Need more variety on Keto so will try others. Like a lot of the vegetable on the limited list of course. Acorn squash, spaghetti squash and of course corn on the cob but . . . . I eat alot of salads with assorted raw vegetables. Turnip we will see, soon might even pick up a bag of radishes as I can eat them mixed in salads.
Guess I will try roasting turnip and radishes and make a vegetable roasted medley. Wish me luck!!
Irene Mackay says
Have you tried parsnips>? They are less bland than swedes and have a tang! I also love ’purple top’ turnips. Less fibrous than either of the others. They are great in a casserole.
Kearby says
Thanks for this recipe. Game changer for this former potato addict!
Beverly Autrey says
Thank you for sharing such awesome recipes! Especially appreciate that you offer traditional cooking methods AND Airfryer instructions as I purchased one but it’s rarely getting used as I have little Keto recipes that are working well for me.
Desiree' says
What is your favorite air fryer or the one you used here for the turnips?
Karly Campbell says
I use this one: https://amzn.to/2W8y2Uu Love it!
Lorraine says
Since last post, I did purchase tennis ball size ones, and they were fantastic! I added a little onion and when finished a tiny bit of shredded cheddar. Great!
Lorraine Stricklin says
I went shopping last week. I had never bought a whole turnip before. I had always bought turnip greens. The only ones they had were large. I got one anyway, but it turned out to be to hard to slice??
Nikki says
These are interesting and definitely good! I made them this evening and ate with ketchup. I think I could use my seasoning recipe that I use for baking diced potatoes. I have been on the hunt for healthier food options since my adult late onset type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Your recipes have truly been wonderful for me! Thanks Karly
Vickie says
Great job again Karly! And thanks so much for not leaving us non-air fryer owners in the rear view mirror. Would love to have one but sadly my kitchen is small as is my pantry so no place for a home for a fairly good size appliance. Will add this to my low carb file which is filled with wonderful selections thanks to you!
Karly Campbell says
Hope you enjoy, Vickie!! I really do love my air fryer, but it definitely takes up some space!
Joan says
I find with hard vegetables that it helps to microwave them briefly to give them a head start when time is an issue. You could par boil, but the microwave keeps them lest moist. Then proceed with the recipe.
Kathy R says
We just had turnips (a first for us!) last Sunday for breakfast, I diced them & seasoned them exactly like you did but I pan fried them. It took forever & they still weren’t quite as done as I would have liked so I am trying your roast in the oven method next. Even with them not being quite done we were so impressed! My hubby has missed his spuds for breakfast I think 🙂 We will for sure be trying them again, what a great find!
Karly Campbell says
I love these for breakfast! I’ve been experimenting with a low carb sausage gravy – I think that’d be so good over turnips. 🙂
Kathy R says
Yay, I love all your recipes so I’m excited for that one!