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!
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Veggie 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.
Amy Z. says
I would love to try making Korean fried chicken. The veggie fries sound great as well!
Kristi says
I learned to make gyoza some years ago, and while l love it, it’s not on my current healthy diet. I’d love to try it with the air fryer, so I can enjoy this tasty treat again.
Estella Csonka says
We’re vegans so opens healthy doors for using veggis without tons of oil. :)
Michelle J. says
I’d make Parmesan fries!
Jennai says
I’m hoping this contest is not over — I don’t see an expiration date.
I’ve heard homemade Spring Rolls come out really well in an air fryer, so I’d like to try thise!
Chantelle Walker says
I want to say something other than fries so I’m not coping you but lets get real… french fries… ARE AMAZING!!!!!! I wish I had some right now lol
David says
I would use it to make chicken strips and frozen burritos.
Sharon says
Sounds amazing! What would I like to cook in it ? Everything! :) I would love to try eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato, Yuca chips, beets, plantains, and so on, and so on. Fried food without the fat? Dream come true ….thank you for introducing the product !
Kristen Zanetti says
Sweet potato fries! :)
Carla S says
I would make chicken nuggets and hashbrowns with it.
Tracy Herrin says
Asparagus & fennel would be my first order!
Good luck everyone!
Annette says
I’d love to make fries – both sweet potato and white potato.
Alexandra says
I just LOVE fried eggplant sticks, but I can’t seem to get them to crisp up enough in the oven, and they’re too delicate to turn in a pan. I would love to try them out in a Phillips Airfryer!
Erin Mylroie says
I’d go for fries and donuts!
Vanessa says
Donuts. I want them fried but not heavy. Rolled in sugar while they’re still hot to give them a crust and then filled with custard. Or fried chicken. Its winter. The perfect time for culinary decadence.
Hayley says
I have seen these fryers around and am so intrigued. I would love to use one. I would make all kinds of veggie fries and chips!
Mary says
French Fries!
Mary says
French Fries! WooHoo!!
Mary Beth Horst says
I am such a kitchen gadget geek, this is one item I have always dreamed of having, but never could get to shelling out the bucks (I have kept the Williams and Sonoma catalog page tabbed to this item for months on end). If I won, I might just put it in the kitchen and stare at it lovingly for a few days. But then, I would go to town looking through recipes to see what all I could do with it. What doesn’t taste better fried?? But, for the first test run, I’d try the potato fries recipe. Then, I’d look at other vegetables (asparagus, carrots, green beans) and see if I can’t win my husband over to eating more vegetables.
Thanks so much for this wonderful offer!
Sonia says
Oh my goodness, a giveaway for an air Fryer? You are the best! I just learned about these a few weeks ago from a friend. What I would make first? That’s easy! I’d make those veggie fries of yours. Then I’d try eggplant because I hate frying eggplant but looove to eat it. Thank you!
ali says
definitely sweet potato fries!
angeline says
air frying! that looks crazy! i’d try fish and chips. or maybe dumplings!
caroline says
I would LOVE to make chicken wings with fries!!! HELLO, dinner!!!
Julia says
I’d get some sweet potato fries going!
Jenic says
Love any tempura fried vegetables!
Nancy says
Very Clever…Carrots, of course!
Sis Adger says
I would want to try peach fried pies!
Lauren says
I’d make a mix of sweet potato and kale chips with my Airfryer- Yum!
Sharyl Wolter says
Fries and chicken – no doubt!
Swetha Shenoy says
My friend recently bought this and we had fun trying out some frozen foods like fries, popcorn chicken and mozzarella sticks. But I want to use this for healthier eating – so would probably want to try making broccoli, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, bitter gourd and chicken. Of course, there would be the occasional indulgence of french fries! :)
Cindy says
I love sweet potato fries. Would have to try those first.
Jayme | holly & flora says
I am laughing so hard right now – “The Clever Carrot doesn’t make her own fries!” I can hear you saying that. I am also a fan of shortcuts of the good kind. I am seriously smitten with this device! I think I’d have to make a batch of parsnip fries. I sometimes love the flavor and sometimes don’t. I think they would be delicious in fry-form, though! ;-) I hope you have the merriest of Christmases this year. XO!