Name: Farro and Spinach Salad with Air-Fried Beets
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup orange juice; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted; 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 2 medium-size red beets, peeled and cut into ⅛-inch-thick slices; 6 cups fresh baby spinach; 3 cups chilled cooked farro; 2 fresh pears, cored and chopped; ¼ cup chopped red onion

Prep-time: 20 minutes / Ready In: 45 minutes
Makes 10 cups salad
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With air-fried beets, tangy orange dressing, and chopped fresh pears, this salad packs a fruity punch with every bite. The secret to crispy beet chips is slicing them ultra thin: A sharp knife works, but a mandoline makes it even easier.

By Nancy Macklin, RDN, Mar 29, 2021

Ingredients

⅓ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 medium-size red beets, peeled and cut into ⅛-inch-thick slices
6 cups fresh baby spinach
3 cups chilled cooked farro
2 fresh pears, cored and chopped
¼ cup chopped red onion

Instructions

For dressing, in a small blender place the first five ingredients (through mustard). Cover and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Preheat air fryer to 350°F. In a medium bowl toss beets with 2 Tbsp. of the dressing. Arrange beets in air fryer, overlapping slightly. Air-fry about 20 minutes or until evenly browned and ruffled- looking. (Beets may not be crisp). Transfer beets to paper towels and let stand 10 minutes. (Beets will crisp as they cool.)
Meanwhile, in a large bowl toss together spinach, farro, pears, and onion. Drizzle with the remaining dressing; toss to coat. Top servings with beet chips.

tags:

air fryer

(10)

21 Comments

Comments (21)

(5 from 10 votes)

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JAG4 months ago

Want to try this

Skye Gibbins1 year ago

Delicious salad. It was my first time with my new air fryer, and I think the beets could have been better – they were a little uneven in thickness, because I was hand cutting them. I see a mandoline in my future!
Also I had a very large pear that was super-sweet. I could have used a half, or cut down a little on the maple syrup in the dressing. But I will continue working on this one – it’s a keeper!

Tracy1 year ago

This was a very yummy salad! Thanks so much.

holly elizabeth2 years ago

I doubled the dressing and added avocado that previous posters recommended. This salad is filling, refreshing and delish! I am not a lover or even a liker of beets, but using the dressing and air frying them made them tolerable. My husband loved them!! So we have a winner, a beet meal that we can both enjoy! That’s a first!

Georgia A.2 years ago

So delicious! Added a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds. Avocado would be tasty with this, too.

Mona2 years ago

Amazing!! Filling, tasty and flavor combinations that are superb! Good job FOK!

Tammy2 years ago

You can easily bake them in the oven 425 app 15-20 min

Tammy2 years ago

Amazing recipe! I added a little avocado and pomegranate seeds just becuz I had them to use up. Was a great addition my farro turned out kinda soggy like oatmeal but did add some into my salad and was delicious will post a pic on Instagram

Usha2 years ago

To make this dressing one has to do lot of shopping.

Mira2 years ago

I had all of these things in the house already…they’re pretty basic things!

Debra2 years ago

I don’t eat gluten. Would substituting quinoa work?

Tanya2 years ago

It should. I plan to use oat groats with it however- I find it a more subtle replacement for things like wheat, farro, barley etc. just make sure it’s certified gluten free if you’re celiac or intolerant (I get mine off Amazon)

Sara2 years ago

I love this salad; so easy and filling. It was a hit at a recent pot-luck, where most guests were not WFPB.

Vince2 years ago

Amazing. I used lemon instead of orange juice. I never write reviews lol but this was refreshing and delicious !

Geraldine Daane2 years ago

What is I don’t want to buy another piece of equipment like an air fryer?

Carol2 years ago

I’m with you, Geraldine. I have the slow cooker, the Vitamix, pots and pans, great roasting pans, and I have no intention to buy an air fryer. Eventually end up in the landfill. I’ll just skip the recipes if we need an air fryer. Oh, did I mention food processor too? Any suggestions on making w/o an air fryer?

Lk2 years ago

I would say just cook the beats in the oven.

Harry S.2 years ago

perfect summer day lunch salad.

the flavors all compliment each other.

Vanessa2 years ago

Your definitely missing out by not having an air fryer, it’s actually the best invention since the microwave..

Marina Sanxchez2 years ago

Air-Fry 20 min. but at what temperature?
Thanks

Liz Turner2 years ago

Hi Marina. Air-fry at 350°F.

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about the author

Nancy Macklin, RDN

Nancy Macklin has a bachelor of science in dietetics from Iowa State University and a Master of Science in health services administration from the University of Saint Francis. Macklin worked as a hospital-based clinical dietitian, providing counseling for diabetes, heart disease, and weight loss and as a food service director in health care dining sites. She now serves as a test kitchen dietitian, developing 500+ recipes per year. She is a member of the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics and International Association of Culinary Professionals. Find her on LinkedIn.

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