Beets, or beetroot, as they are often known, are a type of root vegetable related to the sugar beet, with a naturally sweet, earthy flavour. Often hailed as a ‘superfood’, beetroot is rich in several essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, iron, potassium, manganese and folic acid. It also contains plant compounds called inorganic nitrates, which can lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease, and can also improve the way your cells use oxygen, increasing stamina and exercise performance in general. In fact, beetroot can be useful for your health in ways you might never have imagined. To find out more, check out our article on the surprising benefits of eating beetroot.
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to the classic potato chip, beets make a delicious, earthy, crunchy chip - perfect with a sprinkling of sea salt. They make the perfect finger food at parties, and they’re great for sharing with friends and family while you relax and watch a movie. For a fun and colourful twist, try making beet chips using different coloured beets. They actually come in a wide variety of colours, but the most common are deep burgundy red and golden yellow, which make for eye-catching contrast in your chip bowl. If you want to make your own beet chips, we’ve found some great recipes so you can cook them just how you like them.
For delicious oven-baked beet chips, try this recipe from A Spicy Perspective, for perfectly crisp chips with a delightful earthy beetroot flavour. If these delicious, earthy chips have whet your appetite for more beetroot recipes, then you’re in luck. The current vogue for simple, honest ingredients means that this humble little root is enjoying something of a renaissance, with Michelin star chefs from Gordon Ramsay to Rasmus Kofoed showcasing it in their dishes. For the ultimate in beetroot gastronomy, including Ramsay’s Caramelised Beetroot with Roquefort, and Kofoed’s A Bite of Beetroot, check out our compilation of beetroot dishes from Michelin star chefs. Or, for a hearty, home-cooked dish, try our recipe for gluten-free beetroot pie.
Beet chips: recipe variations
Of course, oven baking isn’t the only way to make beet chips, and if you prefer your chips fried, you’ll love these crispy fried beet chips from The Spruce Eats.
For a healthier alternative, try this tasty recipe for dehydrated beet chips from It’s a Love Love Thing.
