On Friday night, I treat the boys to steak and fries.
It’s their favorite meal of the week, and for once I don’t have to negotiate with them (they should both be lawyers!). The steak is grass fed from Trader Joe’s, and while I’m there, I grab a bag of fries too.
Yes! The Clever Carrot doesn’t make her own fries!
You heard that right. In my defense, the correct way to make fries is to double fry the potatoes for a super crispy outside and fluffy middle. Tell me something: who in their right mind would double fry anything in raging hot oil at the end of the week?
I’d rather eat out.
Plus, I found an easier and healthier way to do it without the fat.
Phillips reached out asking if I’d like to try their new Airfryer.
Yes, please.
Interestingly enough, my dad told me about this Airfryer so I was somewhat familiar with the concept. He made Chinese spareribs and they were beyond delicious. Oprah even put the Airfryer on her Favorites Things List (2016). So, how could I not want to learn more?!
After watching this demo video, all I could think about were crispy fries for the rest of the day. I think my thighs got smaller.
So, here’s how it works:
Its unique shape allows hot air to circulate all around the food, for even cooking without the fat. All you need is 1 tablespoon of olive oil! Any residual oil drains away as it cooks so you’re not left with a soggy mess. The food is crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside.
You can use the Airfryer to cook all sorts of things too, including veggies, steak, desserts, even bread!
For the recipe, I created a medley of veggie fries.
The lineup included sweet potatoes, parsnips, and heirloom carrots. I tossed the veggies in olive oil, garlic powder, and rosemary, and dusted them with cornmeal for a crunchy texture on the finish.
Each vegetable takes a different amount of time to cook, so I air-fried everything in batches. The parsnips cooked the fastest, followed by the sweet potatoes and carrots. Because carrots don’t have as much starch as the other veggies, they didn’t fully crisp as per a typical french fry, but cooked nicely and had great flavor.
And guess what else?!
**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED! 12/27/16**
I have a FANTASTIC giveaway for YOU!
One lucky winner is going to receive the following, courtesy of Phillips:
- Philips Airfryer ($350-400 in value)
- Williams-Sonoma Airfryer Cookbook
- $100 AmEx gift card
- Gordon Ramsay’s Home Cooking cookbook
Plus, you get a 20% off coupon code for all purchases: OPRAH.
To enter: leave a comment below and tell me what YOU would like to make in the Airfryer! Contest open to US residents only. You are going to love this one! Good luck to all!
*This post was in partnership with Philips. All opinions are my own!
PrintVeggie Fries
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 4 large parsnips
- 4 carrots, assorted colors
- 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1–2 tablespoons of chopped rosemary
- garlic powder, to taste
- cornmeal
- salt
* For best results, make sure to cut the vegetables roughly the same size, for even cooking.
Instructions
- Set your Airfryer to 350 F.
- Peel and trim all of the vegetables. Cut into 1/2-inch sticks. The best way to do this, is to cut the vegetables into slices first, lengthwise, and then across to create ‘fries’. Place the vegetables into 3 bowls, respectively.
- Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, rosemary, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of cornmeal. Toss well to combine.
- To air-fry, place half of the sweet potatoes into the fry basket, making sure not to go over the max line. Cook for 6-9 minutes or until crispy. Transfer to a wire rack and sprinkle with salt while still hot.
- For the parsnips, cook for 3-4 minutes. For the carrots, cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Serve directly on the cooling rack, family-style, or on a large platter. Veggie fries are best enjoyed warm, fresh out of the Airfryer.
Comments
Schwalenberg Vivian says
i live with my daughter and family. I can see how the AirFryer might give them a big change in food preparation…maybe even a “taste” of fast food (since they try hard to eat healthy and very seldom eat out).
Nicole says
I’m making crispy veggie fries every time I want a snack. It is healthy and nutritious, I love this receipt.
Emilie Raffa says
Hi Nicole,
So glad you liked it. Thanks for the feedback!
Jem says
I thought the title of the page was How to Make Crispy Veggies without Fat, but I see you’ve added 2T olive oil. What’s with that?!
Emilie says
Hi Jem! Great question! Although there is indeed 2 Tbsp of oil in the recipe, “without the fat” refers to the lighter, alternative method to deep frying fries. Per the AirFryer instructions, the oil is needed top prevent sticking; the veggies are not submerged in excess amounts of oil like traditional fries. If you’re looking something completely fat-free, perhaps baked fries would be something you’re after. Hope this info helps!
gayle says
I would like veggie dishes-this WFPB, Oil free, no dairy or meat is so different than
how I have cooked the last74 years…well 58 as I didn’t cook until I was 16 :)
Can beans be done in an air fryer?
Emilie says
Hi Gayle! That’s a great question. I’ve never tried beans in the Airfryer, but it’s possible that it might work. There might be more information on their website or if you Google around.
Gisella says
I love sweet potato fries! I’m so sad I missed this contest. Who won, by the way? (if you don’t mind my asking :D )
May Wu says
I would make fries!
Dawn Melillo says
Sorry for the late post. I;ve been eyeing the airfryer for a while. I would love to make chicken cutlets and eggplants (both for a healthy parmigiana). I have cut out a lot of traditional frying, but still have not found a good way to make healthy, moist chicken cutlets …
Sarah says
Avocado egg rolls! Sweet potato fries! Crab Rangoons! Oh the things I would make…. desperately need one! My husband hardly eats healthy and with this he wouldn’t even notice!
Lezlie says
I would love to try the Airfyer – veggie fries sound wonderful – I usually don’t buy unitaskers but I’m pretty sure this would be a versatile add in the kitchen
Nabeela says
I’m hoping the contest isn’t over yet! I would love to make garlic fries!
Sarah Oswald says
I love tried perogies but I try not to eat them because of all the fat but if I owned this I would try frying perogies in it.
jberry says
Think I’d jump right in with some eggplant.
Debbie says
Zucchini and sweet potato fries!!!
Anthony says
Wow so many things I’d like to try from okra to onions to Brussels sprouts to eggplant. If I had to do one though I’d have to choose a dish I’ve never seen made any other way and I’d want to experiment with Calabrese Zeppole. this would make christmas cooking be a cinch for thousands of us…crossing my fingers for Santa to be from Philips this year
June Snyder says
French fries – white for my husband and sweet potato for me.
Lauren says
I would like to make egg rolls.
Steve Maughan says
Easy, tater tots with smokies and homemade spicy mustard and Indian fry bread with summer jams.
Kevin Towle says
I would try apple cider donuts or yuca fries that I just tried this past weekend that were out of this world.
Jennifer says
That air fryer is amazing….how have I not seen this before. SO glad you did this post! I would love to make crispy chicken fingers with parm and try a really good chicken fried steak, too! Yum.