These Air Fryer Parsnips with wholegrain mustard, orange and maple syrup is an easy side dish for your Thanksgiving or Christmas roast dinner. Ready within 15 minutes.

My recipe yields parsnips that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with an incredible sweet and nutty flavour.
I have dressed my parsnips with orange and mustard for a festive touch, but you can absolutely make plain parsnips by following the method below and omitting the dressing.
I love the winter season in the UK, humble vegetables like carrots, potato and cauliflower are available in abundance and also cheaply! The air fryer is used in full swing to make Air Fryer Potato Slices, Air Fryer Indian Potatoes, Air Fryer Cheesy Potatoes and Air Fryer Garlic Fries, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.

Ingredients notes & substitutions
Full list with measurements available in the recipe card below.
You can jazz up these parsnips with the dressing or use simple ingredients, either way, the end product is absolutely delicious!
- Parsnips
The best Parsnip season in the UK is winter although they are available throughout the year.
Use the freshest parsnips where possible as they have the best flavour. Look for parsnips that are firm, the skin is not bruised or discoloured, and they shouldn't smell off.
I love to roast parsnips but they're also great added to sups like this Roasted Cauliflower, Parsnip and Walnut Soup
- Oil - I have used a neutral flavoured oil so it doesn't interfere with the flavour of the other ingredients
Dressing:
- Wholegrain mustard - alternatively, use creamy mustard such as English mustard or Dijon mustard.
- Maple syrup - Maple syrup enhances the sweetness of the parsnips and makes them so irresistible! You can use maple syrup, agave or honey.
- Orange juice and zest - as an alternative, you can use lemon juice
Garnish: (optional)
- Toasted almond flakes
- Pomegranate Arils or dried Cranberries
- Thyme

How to make Parsnips in the Air Fryer
I have used the Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer
Firstly, prepare the dressing for later:
Whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, orange zest and juice, wholegrain mustard, a little salt and pepper in a jar or small bowl.

Prepare the parsnip chips:
Wash the parsnips under cold water to remove the dirt. Peel parsnips and cut into fries or chips using a sharp knife. Ensure all chips are roughly the same size for even cooking.

You can choose whether to keep the parsnips chunky or thin. The thinner the cut, the more caramelised and crunchier the end product will be.
In a large bowl, toss the cut parsnips with the dressing until well coated.

Arrange the parsnips in the bottom of the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air Fry at 200 Celsius or 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cooking time is approximately 7-15 minutes depending on the size of your parsnips. Essentially, what you are looking for is crispy edges and the parsnips are golden brown all over.
Mine took 7-8 minutes so I would check on the parsnips at half time and give them a little shake.
Note that the second batch may cook faster as the air fryer will be hot by the time the first batch has finished cooking.
Do not leave the veggies in the air fryer closed as the heat will continue cooking.

Tips
- Do not overcrowd the basket as this will steam the parsnips rather than air fry them
- Thinner slices will give you crispy fries whereas thick chunks of parsnip will give you softer chips.
Serving Suggestions
Parsnips are great served alongside a main course such as cauliflower cheese, nut roast or a hearty pie with oven roasted potatoes. You can also enjoy them as a snack with bread Sauce or chestnut hummus.
Storage
Parsnip fries are best eaten fresh but they can be stored away for later. Once cool, place in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the air fryer, oven or microwave until hot through.
I do not recommend freezing as the parsnips will loose their texture on defrosting.

Other Thanksgiving and Christmas Recipes
- Air fryer Donut Holes (for a quick and easy breakfast)
- Air fryer Chestnut
- Instant Pot Baby Potatoes (Garlic and Thyme)
- Easy Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
- Egg-free Nog
- Homemade Billionaire’s Hot Chocolate
- Homemade Billionaire’s Latte
- Loaded Cauliflower Cheese Balls
- Creamy Broccoli and Pear Soup
- Vegan Thyme Oatcakes
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can't wait to see you all there!

Air Fryer Parsnips
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 kilogram parsnips
- 4 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 3 tablespoon orange juice
- salt
- pepper
Garnish (optional)
- 3 tablespoon almond flakes lightly toasted
- 3 tablespoon pomegranate arils
- 2 tablespoon thyme
Instructions
- Throughly wash parsnips in running water, then peel the skin.1 kilogram parsnips
- Cut in to halves or quaters (if too thick) using a sharp knife.
- Pat dry using a clean kitchen towel.
- In a big mixing bowl combine all these ingredients.4 tablespoon maple syrup, 2 tablespoon whole grain mustard, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 3 tablespoon orange juice, salt, pepper
- Add parsnips and mix, make sure all the parsnips are well coated all over.
- Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 200C/400F.
- Arrange parsnips in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry them for 8 minutes, keep checking after 5 minutes.
- Once light golden and tender, remove in to a serving dish.
- Sprinkle remaining maple-mustard dressing (optional) and garnish.3 tablespoon almond flakes, 3 tablespoon pomegranate, 2 tablespoon thyme
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Share on Facebook Pin This Recipe




Melissa says
Hi,
I absolutely love your site for recipes, so easy to follow.
I am going to try this parsnip recipe, do you use fresh or dried thyme?
Thank you
Melissa
Hayley says
Hi Melissa
Thank you for your comment, and glad to hear that you want to try our parsnip recipe.
We have used fresh thyme for our recipe, as we prefer taste of fresh herbs but you cab use either.
Thank you
Hayley x