Air Fryer Beets

Make air fryer beets and avoid the mess. I’ll bet you’ve never tried cooking beets in the air fryer. I’ve cooked them in the oven many times only to have to wear gloves and deal with the mess of peeling the skins off and ending up stained in red.

Health Benefits and Nutrition in Beets

Beets are a healthy addition to any diet. Beets are high in nitrates which research suggests improve cardiovascular health in several ways. Some studies show beetroot juice supplementation may lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. It increases oxygen uptake, lengthening the time it takes to become fatigued, which allows people to stay active longer.

Beets also contain antioxidants, compounds in foods that help repair DNA and maintain good cell health, and they have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the risk for numerous chronic diseases. Because of this, the beet is gaining popularity as a nutritional approach in managing cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Beets are low in fat and high in fiber

• Half a cup of boiled beets contains 0.15 grams of fat and 1.7 grams of fiber.

• They are rich in vitamins C, A and K, which contribute to good bone health.

• They contain several other B vitamins, which may protect against dementia and memory loss by improving blood flow to the brain.

• They also include high levels of folate (vitamin B9), important for healthy cell growth and red blood cell formation.

• A half-cup serving of boiled beets has 68 micrograms of folate, which provides 17% of the daily value of the vitamin.

This air-fryer beets with feta recipe is a great way to enjoy beets. It’s super easy to throw together, and it’s just as good eaten cold as part of a salad as it is warm on its own.

Air Fryer Beets: Recipe for Beets with Feta Cheese

Ingredients (makes 4 servings)

• 1 pound beets (2 large or 3 small), trimmed, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

Directions

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Place beets in a large bowl and add oil, salt and pepper; toss to coat.
2. Arrange the beets in a single layer in the fryer basket; cook for 10 minutes.
3. Carefully flip the beets and cook until crispy and browned on the edges, 6 to 8 minutes.
4. Transfer to a serving dish and top with feta and oregano.