Turnip fries are a great alternative for those who miss the crispy taste of French fries but want to stick to their diet!
Fried turnips or radishes are much lower in carbohydrates than potatoes. These fries are not only delicious but also healthy and nutritious. Moreover, with the help of the air fryer, you can enjoy the perfect consistency without the need for excessive oil.
Turnips are root vegetables that are often overlooked in favor of more popular options like potatoes. However, just like celeriac and radishes, turnips are a great choice for those on a keto diet or those who want to reduce their carb intake. Turnips contains 4,8 g net carbs and radishes has only 2.6 grams of net carbs per cup. This makes them an excellent substitute for potatoes.
Turnipa are also rich in essential nutrients. They are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C and potassium. These nutrients are essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system. They also strengthen your immune system, and support heart health.
Are There Healthy Chips?
If you want to consume healthy chips, you should make sure that they are made from unprocessed materials. Choose the ones that do not contain additives and, if possible, are not fried. A lot of trans fat is being formed during the frying process. So avoid it if possible.
You can easily make them additive free at home. For this, you should cook in an air fryer or use the oven frying method. To make chips, it would be a healthier choice to choose vegetables or legumes. Vegetables such as carrots, zucchini, beets, radishes, celery root and turnips contain more fiber than potatoes. This makes them raise blood sugar more slowly. But don’t forget that veggie chips should not be considered as a substitute for vegetables. This recipe will just be an option we can choose to substitute for potato chips. So make sure you’re eating enough of your veggies!
However, it is important to pay attention to portion control and how ingredients are prepared. When eating these types of chips as a healthy snack, it is important to consider the amount of salt and fat you add.
This recipe can be a healthy alternative to french fries for children who normally do not like to eat vegetables.
The Difference Between Turnip vs Radish
Radishes and turnips are both root vegetables. They belong to the Brassicaceae family, but still have some distinct differences:
- Appearance:
- Radishes: Generally small, round or cylindrical roots with red, white, pink, or purple skin. The flesh can be white or pink.
- Turnips: Larger and bulbous roots with a white or yellowish skin and white flesh. The skin of turnips can sometimes have a purple or reddish hue near the top.
- Taste and Flavor:
- Radishes: Known for their sharp, peppery flavor, especially in varieties like the red globe radish. They have a crisp texture.
- Turnips: Have a milder, earthy flavor compared to radishes. Young turnips can be slightly sweet, while older ones might have a stronger taste. They are softer and more tender than radishes.
Glycemic Index
Both radish and turnip are naturally low in carbohydrates and richer in nutrients than potatoes. Radishes glycemic index is very low, meaning it does not increase blood sugar. While the glycemic index of turnip is 62, radish 15, that of potatoes is 80-85. The glycemic load of cooked turnips is estimated to be 2. A glycemic index of 62 is moderate, while a glycemic load of 2 is considered to be low.
Glucosinolate and isothiocyanate compounds found in turnip/radish are effective against insulin resistance. For this reason, especially radish chips can be consumed by diabetics as well as those on a low-carb diet.
How to Make Turnip Chips in the Airfryer?
Frying turnips or radishes in the air fryer is quick and easy.
Ingredients:
- 3 medium sized radishes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Black pepper and salt
Steps to Make Turnip Fries:
After washing trim both ends off the turnips and peel them. Slice them thinly, just like potatoes.
After adding the spices, oil and salt you want, mix all the ingredients well.
Place turnips in the air fryer basket or baking tray. Make sure they don’t overlap too much. This way they cook evenly and brown better.
Turnip fries are ready in about 20 minutes at 200°C/400°F. Be sure to stir in the middle of the cooking time. Additionally, if you spray the chips with oil in the middle of the cooking time, you will get a crispier result.
Of course, we can’t expect turnip/radish chips to be as crispy as French fries. The water content of them is quite high compared to potatoes. That’s why when you fry them in the airfryer, you get half the amount of chips you put in. For the same reason, turnip chips are a little soft in the middle compared to french fries. The ends will be nicely browned and crispy, especially if you used an air fryer. Its taste is sweeter than potatoes and it is very enjoyable to eat. Once you try it, you will agree.
Cooking Tip: Pat them dry and make sure they are as dry as possible. Then toss them with the olive oil and preferred seasonings.
How to Serve Turnip Fries?
Once your radish stir-fry is ready, you can enjoy it! You can serve it as a side dish with your favorite keto-friendly dipping sauce. Such as mayonnaise or sugar-free ketchup. You can also enjoy it on its own as a delicious and filling snack. It’s up to you. Next time you’re craving french fries, try turnip or radish chips and stick to your diet.
How to Store Turnip Fries?
I recommend you consume turnip chips as soon as they are cooked. If you have leftover chips, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you want to reheat it, you can heat it in the airfryer at 200°C/400°F in 2-3 minutes.
Turnip Fries (Keto, Air Fryer or Baked)
Ingredients
- 3 medium sized radishes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
Instructions
- After washing trim both ends off the turnips and peel them. Slice them thinly, just like potatoes.
- After adding the spices, oil and salt you want, mix all the ingredients well.
- Place turnips in the air fryer basket or baking tray. Make sure they don’t overlap too much. This way they cook evenly and brown better.
- Turnip fries are ready in about 20 minutes at 200°C/400°F. Be sure to stir in the middle of the cooking time.