Keto French Fries

Rutabaga comes in to save the day with these healthy Keto French Fries – the whole family will love them, and you won’t be missing the carbs!

If Mr. FFF – a stereotypical meat-and-potatoes man – is down with fries that aren’t actually fries, I think that’s a huge win, no?

I promise, once you throw these on the side of a Cajun burger or a burger in a bowl, you won’t be missing the deep-fried potatoes either.

The secret to these keto French fries is the root vegetable rutabaga, otherwise known as a ‘swede’ in other parts of the world. So what is it about rutabaga that makes it a keto superstar? Well, the aim of a keto diet is to eat a large amount of healthy fats and protein, but a low amount of carbohydrates and sugar. This puts your body into a state of ketosis, where it swaps to burning fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. Rutabaga contains significantly fewer carbs than potatoes, so it’s a great French fry option for any keto dieters.

Are Keto French Fries Healthy?

Everyone loves French fries. Who doesn’t? They’re hot and crispy; they’re satisfying for the body AND the soul… What’s not to love about them?

Well, there is one thing I can think of. Potatoes are a carbohydrate, which isn’t generally allowed on a keto diet. This also means they’re quite high in calories. Combine that with the deep frying method and liberal seasonings, they’re also high in fat and sodium.

While traditional French fries aren’t really considered healthy, you can definitely call this recipe for French fries healthy! The fries are low in carbs, and by cooking them on a rack in the oven, you’re essentially air-frying them the old-school way. This means less oil, but all the flavor. The best part? You can season them with whatever seasonings you like!

A Keto Substitute for Potatoes…

While you will usually find me substituting potatoes for cauliflower, like in my Mashed Cauliflower recipe or my Roasted Garlic Cauliflower recipe, I must say, they don’t make very good French fries. But that didn’t stop me! I tried many different low-carb, keto-friendly veggies for this recipe, and I finally settled on the mighty rutabaga.

A rutabaga is a root vegetable that is essentially a cross between a turnip and a cabbage. It tastes similar to a carrot but less sweet and slightly bitter. When cooked, its taste and consistency changes, and it becomes quite starchy like a potato. Rutabagas contain a high amount of vitamin C and fiber, and they are keto-friendly!

Serving Suggestions 

I love eating them on their own with some dipping sauce, but these fries also make a tasty side dish! If you want to keep the meal keto-friendly, consider serving these fries with some chipotle keto pulled pork, or perhaps with a batch of keto chicken nuggets! For dipping, I always love a keto BBQ sauce, a keto tzatziki, or sometimes even this peppercorn ranch dressing.

Recipe