Make this delicious Roasted Swede to accompany your next roast dinner. Delicately flavoured with a drizzle of honey & a sprinkle of thyme, it can be cooked in both the oven and air fryer!
In the world of veggies, swedes are often the unsung heroes. They don't exactly jump off the shelf screaming "cook me!".
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But with a little love and a couple of fantastic flavours added, (like this roasted swede recipe where I have added honey and thyme), you can transform the humble swede into something quite magical!
I will guide you through how to cook it in two ways, either in the oven or in the air fryer. Both ways achieve the same delicious result; the air fryer simply gets you there a bit quicker!
If you are still hungry for more swede recipes once you have tried this one, check out this carrot and Swede mash too!
Jump to:
❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
- ✔️ Low Carb Alternative to Potato: Swede has around half the amount of carbs of standard white potatoes, so this is a great option if you are trying to cut down on carbohydrates.
- ✔️ Different Cooking options: I will show you how to make the roasted swede in a traditional oven and also in the air fryer.
- ✔️ Great Side Dish: Don't limit roasted swede to just roast dinners; it's a great match for all sorts of meat and fish dishes, making for a lighter meal.
- ✔️ Budget Friendly: Swede is a relatively inexpensive vegetable to buy, making it a great option for a purse-friendly meal.
🥘 Ingredients Needed & Substitutions
✋ Double check all packaging for allergens ✋
- Swede - Also known as a rutabaga in other parts of the word, is a round root vegetable with purple or beige skin and orangey-yellow flesh inside. Swedes are really good for you and are a great source of vitamin C. You can also make this side dish with other root vegetables like parsnips, turnips, butternut squash or carrots if you cannot find swede.
- Honey - This is drizzled over the swede and creates a gorgeous sweet and sticky flavour. To make the recipe vegan, simply swap the honey for maple syrup.
- Thyme - This pairs really well with the honey and brings an earthy flavour to the swede. I have used dried thyme for ease but you can easily use fresh instead, just use triple the amount.
- Olive Oil - Use the best quality olive oil you can afford, you will taste the difference. Any other neutral-tasting oil can also be used.
- Salt & Pepper
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
⚡ Variations
I love the combination of sweet honey with the herby thyme, but there are SO many different ways you can flavour the roasted swede!
Here are a few more of my favourites:
- ⭐ Maple Syrup and Mustard: Drizzle the swede with maple syrup and a touch of Dijon mustard before roasting.
- ⭐ Garlic and Parmesan: Toss the swede with minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil. Use a dairy-free parmesan if you are following a dairy-free diet.
- ⭐ Rosemary and Balsamic: Combine fresh rosemary leaves with balsamic vinegar and olive oil to infuse the swede with a herby, slightly tangy flavour.
- ⭐ Soy and Ginger: Create an Asian-inspired twist by mixing soy sauce, minced ginger, and a bit of honey for a sweet and savoury roasted swede.
- ⭐ Lemon and Thyme: Swap the honey for some lemon and include fresh thyme for a zesty, citrusy twist.
- ⭐ Cumin & Paprika: For a spicy alternative, mix some cumin and paprika with olive oil before mixing it through the swede before cooking.
- ⭐ Cinnamon and Nutmeg: For a sweeter variation, use ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg along with a little brown sugar.
- ⭐ Chilli and Lime: A combination of chilli powder and freshly squeezed lime juice can give your swede a zesty and slightly spicy kick.
🤔 Do You Need To Par Boil Swede Before Roasting?
The choice is all yours, and if you're short on time, don't stress, it's not a must!
Par-boiling the swede softens it up a bit, so when you roast it, it cooks evenly and gets all tender inside and yummy.
If you do decide to parboil it, just boil the swede for a few minutes, drain, and let it dry. (It's important to let it dry, otherwise, the swede will become soggy in the oven and won't crisp up).
Trim about 10 minutes off the roasting time. To check if it's done, just poke it with a fork - when it's soft inside and crispy outside, it's good to go!
✏️ How To Make - Step-By-Step Instructions
⬇️ Here you will find an overview of how to make the recipe. For full information on ingredients and quantities please see the recipe card at the bottom of the page ⬇️
I'll show you how to make roasted swede using two methods - in the oven and in the air fryer!
The air fryer method is quicker ( if you haven't got one already, you need an air fryer in your life, it's a total game changer!) but you can just as easily make this recipe in a traditional oven too!
To Prepare The Swede
Step 1: Start by using a potato peeler or a knife to peel the swede, and then chop it into small, cubes, about ½ inch thick. Try and get the cubes the same size so they cook evenly. Swede can be quite tough to peel and chop, so use your best knife!
Step 2: Next, take the swede cubes, place them in a mixing bowl and toss them in a good drizzle of olive oil and some salt and pepper. This coating will give your swede that crispy, golden goodness when it's roasting.
Cooking In The Oven
Step 1: If you're going the traditional oven route, lay out your seasoned swede cubes on a non-stick baking tray in a single layer.
If the tray is too crowded, use a second baking tray as the cubes will need space around them to allow them to crisp up.
Step 2: Pop the tray into your preheated oven and let the swede roast for about 30 minutes. Flip the swede cubes over halfway through.
Step 3: Remove the swede from the oven. Drizzle the honey and sprinkle the thyme all over. Stir with a spoon and pop the tray back in the oven for an extra 10 minutes.
When it's all done, your swede will be tender inside and wonderfully crispy on the outside.
Cooking In The Air Fryer
Step 1: Arrange your swede cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to do this in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Step 2: Cook the swede for 15 minutes in a preheated air fryer, giving the basket a little shake a couple of times. This makes sure everything gets crispy all over.
Step 3: Remove the basket from the air fryer, then drizzle honey and sprinkle thyme over your swede cubes. Give it all a quick stir with a spoon to coat everything evenly. Then, air fry them for an extra 5 minutes.
By the end, your swede will be crispy on the outside and tender inside, just like in the oven but in half the time!
💡 Top Tips
- ✔️ Place the swede in a single layer. In both methods, the swede cubes need space around them to let the air flow, so they crisp up nicely on the outside. If you overload the baking tray or air fryer basket, the outside won't crisp up and will become soggy. Cook in two batches if necessary.
- ✔️ Try and cut the cubes the same size. It doesn't need to be exact, but if everything is the same size, it will cook more evenly. I have gone for cubes around ½ inch thick. You will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly if you decide to have bigger or smaller cubes.
- ✔️ To save time use the air fryer! The air fryer method cooks in around half the time of a traditional oven.
- ✔️ Use a sharp knife/peeler. Swede is notoriously tough to peel and chop, so you will need a really sturdy potato peeler and your sharpest knife!
- ✔️ Flip or shake halfway through. Don't forget to shake the air fryer basket or flip over the swede in the oven halfway through cooking, to help the cubes become even crispier!
- ✔️ Check for doneness. To know if the swede is ready, poke it with a fork. It should be tender inside and crispy on the outside. Adjust the cooking time as needed for your preferred level of crispiness.
- ✔️ This recipe has been tested using my Instant Pot Vortex Plus Clear Cook air fryer and the temperatures and timings are specifically tailored for this model. Please be aware that various air fryer brands may cook differently, so I would advise you to regularly check the food's cooking progress to ensure the best results.
- ✔️ Use an air fryer liner. This makes for a much easier clean up!
- ✔️ Parboil (Optional): While it's not essential, parboiling swede before roasting can help ensure even cooking and a tender texture. If you choose to parboil, make sure to drain and let the swede dry before roasting.
🥡 Storage, Reheating & Freezing
If you have leftovers they will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for around 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 180˚C for around 10 minutes until piping hot throughout or in the air fryer for a few minutes at 160˚C.
You can also reheat them in the microwave but this will cause the cubes to go soft, so you won't have the crispiness on the exterior.
Freezing
Place in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to eat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as above.
🍴 How To Serve
This roasted swede is delicious served with a roast dinner, alongside some vegetables like this slow cooker red cabbage as a lighter option to roast potatoes.
A couple of my favourite roasts are this slow-cooked rolled lamb breast & Greek whole roast chicken.
You can also chop them into swede chips (just adjust the cooking time ) and serve them with some air fryer sea bass or air fried trout for a healthier version of the popular takeaway. Add in these minted mushy peas too!
💬 Recipe FAQs
It's generally a good idea to peel swede before roasting, as the skin can be tough and bitter. This ensures a better texture and taste.
Can you eat swede raw?
Yes, swede can be eaten raw. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavour and can be used in salads, coleslaws, or as a crunchy snack. However, the taste and texture are different from when it's cooked.
How should I store swede at home?
Swede can be stored in a cool, dark place for several weeks. To prolong its freshness, keep it in a plastic bag in the fridge's vegetable drawer. Store it away from ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables, such as apples, bananas, and tomatoes, as the ethylene gas can cause them to ripen or spoil faster.
📖 More Tasty Side Dishes
Looking for more delicious recipes like this? Try these:
If you loved this recipe, please leave me a 5🌟 rating or comment below. I really do appreciate it. 😊
📖 Recipe
Roasted Swede (Oven And Air Fryer)
Equipment
- Air Fryer optional
Ingredients
- 1 medium swede approx 600g
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- salt & pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Peel the swede using a potato peeler or knife, then chop into small cubes around ½ inch thick.
- Place the swede into a large mixing bowl and toss together with the olive oil and salt & pepper.
To Cook In The Oven
- Preheat your oven to 200˚C / 180˚Fan / 390˚F.
- Place the swede cubes in a single layer on a nonstick baking tray.
- Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Drizzle the honey and sprinkle the thyme over the swede and stir with a spoon.
- Return to the oven for a further 10 minutes, until the swede is tender in the middle and crispy on the outside.
To Cook In The Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 160˚C / 320˚ F.
- Arrange the cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times.
- Drizzle the honey and sprinkle the thyme over the swede and stir with a spoon.
- Air fryer for a further 5 minutes until crispy on the outside and tender inside.
Notes
- Place the swede in a single layer. In both methods, the swede cubes need space around them to let the air flow, so they crisp up nicely on the outside. If you overload the baking tray or air fryer basket, the outside won't crisp up and will become soggy. Cook in two batches if necessary.
- Try and cut the cubes the same size. It doesn't need to be exact, but if everything is the same size, it will cook more evenly. I have gone for cubes around ½ inch thick. You will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly if you decide to have bigger or smaller cubes.
- To save time use the air fryer! The air fryer method cooks in around half the time of a traditional oven.
- Use a sharp knife/peeler. Swede is notoriously tough to peel and chop, so you will need a really sturdy potato peeler and your sharpest knife!
- Flip or shake halfway through. Don't forget to shake the air fryer basket or flip over the swede in the oven halfway through cooking, to help the cubes become even crispier!
- Check for Doneness. To know if the swede is ready, poke it with a fork. It should be tender inside and crispy on the outside. Adjust the cooking time as needed for your preferred level of crispiness.
- This recipe has been tested using my Instant Pot Vortex Plus Clear Cook air fryer and the temperatures and timings are specifically tailored for this model. Please be aware that various air fryer brands may cook differently, so I would advise you to regularly check the food's cooking progress to ensure the best results.
- ✔️ Use an air fryer liner. This makes for a much easier clean up!
- Parboil (Optional): While it's not essential, parboiling swede before roasting can help ensure even cooking and a tender texture. If you choose to parboil, make sure to drain and let the swede dry before roasting.
Kathryn says
So good! I've never had swede before and it was delicious. Love the sweet and savory flavors- it was perfect. Glad I tried it!
Lauren Woodger says
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Ashley says
This is so delicious! The drizzle of honey really takes it to the next level in my opinion!
Lauren Woodger says
The sweetness of the honey really makes it doesn't it!
Holley says
Here in the states, I used rutabaga aka swede. I never had it before and was so pleased with how it turned out! Great flavors! Thanks for sharing!
Lauren Woodger says
So glad you loved it! Swede is a hidden gem isn't it 🙂
Ali says
This roasted swede made a delicious side dish for a family potluck! Quick to make and so tasty.
Lauren Woodger says
It's a great dish for a pot luck! So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Ann says
I've never had swede, looks yummy. Thanks!