Simple honey roasted parsnips (air fryer recipe)

Parsnips are one of those underrated root vegetables that deserve a spot on every dinner table. These cream-coloured beauties have a unique flavour that’s naturally sweet with earthy undertones. When you combine them with honey and roast them to perfection in your air fryer, they transform into an irresistible, easy side dish that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Perfect for roast dinners, Christmas or Thanksgiving.

This air fryer honey parsnips recipe is a great way to elevate your weeknight dinners or add something special to your Christmas dinner spread. The best part? Air frying these honey roasted parsnips means you’re using less oil while achieving that perfect golden brown finish – making them a healthy vegetable option that doesn’t compromise on flavour.

Why use an air fryer for honey roasted parsnips

Air fryers have revolutionised cooking vegetables, offering a great alternative to traditional oven-roasted parsnips without sacrificing taste. Here’s why your air fryer basket is perfect for these crispy air fryer parsnips:

Healthier cooking – Air fryers require minimal vegetable oil or light olive oil, meaning fewer calories compared to traditional roasting methods.

Quick and efficient – The cooking time is significantly reduced compared to conventional ovens, making this a great addition to busy weeknight meals.

Great results – Air fryers provide even cooking, ensuring your honey roast parsnips in an air fryer are perfectly crispy with those crispy edges every time.

Versatility – Your air fryer isn’t just for traditional French fries anymore – it’s perfect for cooking vegetables like these, plus air fryer carrots and air fryer roast potatoes

Choosing the right parsnips

For the best honey roasted parsnips air fryer results, start with fresh parsnips from your local grocery store. Here are some tips for selecting perfect fresh parsnips:

Colour and appearance – Choose firm, cream-coloured parsnips without soft spots or blemishes.

Size – Opt for medium to large parsnips of similar size for even cooking. Avoid overly large ones as they can be woody in the centre.

Firmness – Make sure the parsnips feel heavy for their size and are firm to the touch. Fresh parsnips should have their natural sweetness intact.

For this air fryer parsnip recipe, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:

• Fresh parsnips

• Honey

• Olive oil

• Garlic powder

• Fresh thyme or other fresh herbs like rosemary

• Salt and black pepper

Make this air fryer honey parsnips recipe

This air fryer parsnips recipe brings out the parsnips’ natural flavour while adding that irresistible sweet flavour from the honey glaze. It’s one of my favourite ways to prepare this healthy vegetable, and it’s ready in just 15 minutes!

How to make air fryer parsnips

Prep the parsnips – Start by washing and scrubbing the parsnips. You can peel them if you’d prefer, but I never bother. Cut them into parsnip sticks or 2-3 inch pieces, ensuring they’re all of similar size for even cooking. If you prefer, you can make parsnip chips by cutting them into thinner rounds.

Preheat the air fryer – Preheat your air fryer (whether it’s a Ninja Foodi or another model) to 200°C (390°F) for 5 minutes.

Create the honey glaze – In a large bowl or pan, add the parsnips and combine the honey, olive oil, garlic powder,  a little salt, and black pepper. This creates a beautiful glaze that will caramelise during cooking.

Air fry the parsnips – Place parsnips in the air fryer basket in a single layer (don’t overcrowd – cook in batches if needed). Cook for 15-18 minutes at 180°C (350°F), shaking the basket  or turning with tongs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

Check for doneness – At the end of cooking, your honey parsnips should be golden brown with crispy edges and fork-tender inside. If they need more time, continue cooking for a few more minutes.

Serve – Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with fresh thyme leaves or other herbs. These make a perfect side dish for any main course!

Tips for perfect crispy parsnips

• Cut uniformly – Ensure all parsnip pieces are a similar size for consistent cooking.
  
  
• Don’t overcrowd – Place parsnips in a single layer in your air fryer basket for the crispiest results. Cook in batches if necessary.
  
  
• Experiment with flavours – Try adding fresh herbs like rosemary, or a sprinkle of honey mustard, or even a dash of maple syrup instead of honey.
  
  
• Monitor cooking time – Different air fryer models may vary, so keep an eye on your parsnips to prevent burning.

How to cook honey-glazed parsnips in an oven

Don’t have an air fryer? No problem! You can make these honey-roasted parsnips in your conventional oven. Simply spread the glazed parsnips on a baking sheet or baking tray lined with parchment paper and roast at 200°C (400°F) for 30-35 minutes, turning once halfway through.

Storage and leftover parsnips

Store any leftover parsnips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’re delicious cold in salads or can be reheated in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to restore their crispiness. You can also freeze cooked parsnips in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Serving suggestions

These air fryer honey parsnips are so versatile:

• As a great side for Sunday roast dinners alongside your favourite main course
• Perfect addition to Christmas dinner or holiday meals
• Great thing to serve with air fryer carrots and other roasted root vegetables
• Easy side dish for any day of the week

Nutritional benefits

Parsnips are packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, fibre, and folate. They have a wonderful natural sweetness that makes them appealing even to picky eaters, and they’re a great way to add more vegetables to your family’s diet.

 

Did you make this air fryer honey parsnip recipe? Tag @cooksimplyathome on Instagram and leave a star rating in the comments section below! For more simple and delicious meals, check out my other recipes.*