Keto Rutabaga Fries (with Air Fryer and Skillet Instructions)

Did you know that it's possible to french fries on keto? Well, of course, not the traditional french fries made of potatoes, but still.

Luckily, there is an amazing low-carb alternative to everyone's favorite french fries - keto rutabaga fries. They can be made either in the oven, Air Fryer, or in a skillet (it's up to you to choose).

The benefits of making rutabaga fries are numerous. Such fries turn out healthy, low carb (only 8 grams of carbs per serving), and insanely easy to make. And you can add almost any spices and herbs to get the desired taste. Oh, and you must try loaded rutabaga fries (with lots of cheese and crispy bacon).

Table of Contents

• What Is Rutabaga?
• Is Rutabaga Keto-Friendly?
• Here's What You'll Need
• How to Make Keto Rutabaga Fries (3 Methods)
• Serving Ideas
• Storing Instructions 
• Recipe

What Is Rutabaga?

I'm sure that not many people know what rutabaga is. Even I didn't know it until I started my keto journey.

Rutabaga is a root vegetable that looks very similar to a turnip; only it's much larger. It actually came out as a hybrid between a turnip and wild cabbage. There are many benefits to eating it since it is packed with various nutrients: vitamin C, vitamin E, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and more. It even has phosphorus, which is crucial for energy production.

Is Rutabaga Keto-Friendly?

YES! It is a perfectly-compatible vegetable with a low-carb diet. One cup of this vegetable contains 8.8 grams of carbs. This is why you can't consume too much rutabaga on keto, but in smaller amounts, you can definitely enjoy it.

So if you're missing the regular fries, this french fry alternative is the best option that you have on the keto diet. Of course, you can make zucchini fries instead, but they have nothing similar to traditional fries.

Here's What You'll Need

This is one of those easy recipes where you don’t need many ingredients. To make these keto french fries, you'll need only 2 ingredients. Here are they:

• Rutabaga
• Olive oil

You can find rutabaga in almost all grocery stores, so it shouldn't be a problem. And if you don't have any olive oil, you can use avocado oil instead (or even coconut oil).

Besides these two ingredients, you'll also need some salt and pepper. And, of course, some herbs or spices to boost the rutabaga flavor. I like to add some garlic powder, but if you want, here's a list of the spices that go best with rutabaga:

• Onion powder
• Dried oregano
• Dried thyme
• Red pepper flakes
• Paprika
• Nutmeg

How to Make Keto Rutabaga Fries (3 Methods)

I love to make keto fries on a skillet. I think that this way they are the most delicious and they get that perfect crisp from the outside. Therefore, I chose to make these fries on a skillet for this recipe.

But aside from this cooking method, you can also make these fries either in an oven or an Air Fryer.

Method #1. Skillet

Once you've peeled, cut your rutabaga into sticks, and added all the spices, herbs, and oil, you can start to cook them. Place a medium skillet over low-medium heat and transfer the fries inside. Cover the skillet with a lid and occasionally stir the keto fries. They should be fully cooked in about 25-30 minutes (until golden brown).

Method #2. Air Fryer

Prepare the rutabaga fries and preheat your Air Fryer to 375 degrees F. Place the fries on the Air Fryer rack. You should cook the fries for about 20-25 minutes (flipping halfway through).

Method #3. Oven 

This is quite similar to how you cook the rutabaga fries in an Air Fryer. Once the fries are prepared, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Place your fries on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or on a baking rack. Bake the fries for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Serving Ideas

If you like loaded fries, then you must do it with these low-carb fries. Just add some of this Rao's Alfredo sauce on top of the fries, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella or shredded cheddar cheese, and top everything off with crumbled bacon.

Here are some other serving options:

• Serve the fries with keto-friendly ketchup
• Make some Air Fryer chicken wings to go with the fries
• Some homemade keto salsa is always a good idea

Storing Instructions 

You can store these keto rutabaga fries in your refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. But to tell the truth, I don't like to eat reheated rutabaga since it gets a bit watery and loses the crispiness.

If you want, you can freeze raw rutabaga fries, and then just whenever you want to make them, just throw them in your Air Fryer, skillet, or oven and wait for them to cook.

Recipe