Kohlrabi Fries with Cilantro Yogurt Sauce
Today I’m sharing another kohlrabi recipe that’s been in regular rotation in our home for the past year. This tasty dish is made with fried strips of kohlrabi, and it’s sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. These can be served with ketchup or the included recipe for cilantro yogurt dipping sauce (you can substitute vegan yogurt). Try it as an appetizer, or even as the main course for a “Meatless Monday” dinner.
I find kohlrabi to be a most fascinating veggie. Admittedly, this is in part because many people don’t know about it, and I’ve always been proud of living outside the mainstream. But also partly, because it’s such an odd looking and delicious vegetable.
Cooking with Kohlrabi
Hearty greens, root veggies and cabbage grow quite well here in California, this one state produces most of the fresh produce consumed in the other 49. As kohlrabi is part of the cabbage family, I wasn’t surprised when I came across locally grown kohlrabi at the farmer’s market.
Here in the United States, these bulbs are available at some grocery stores, but they tend to be more widely available at farmers’ markets or specialty food stores. I buy mine from farmers’ markets during the warm moths, or from my local Whole Foods.
For a fun lunch treat for my little ones, I like to cut, season, and fry them into crispy kohlrabi fries. It’s a filling vegetarian meal, made even better with this cilantro yogurt dipping sauce. They’re also exceptionally tasty with ketchup, making this a kid friendly healthy veggie dish.
Kohlrabi Fries with Cilantro Yogurt Dipping Sauce
Kohlrabi makes awesome fries, which can be baked or fried according to your liking. They taste great with a variety of seasonings, such as lemon pepper, curry, cumin, or chili, and are also great with dips. These fries are popular in Europe, especially around Lent. They’re a delicious, low-carb (also gluten free), alternative to traditional French fries, these kohlrabi fries are tossed in a simple spice mixture and fried (or baked). Enjoy as they are or with your favorite dipping sauce. Either way, I promise you’ll love them.
Kohlrabi Fries with Cilantro Yogurt Dipping Sauce
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Total Time: 40 Minutes
Yield: 4 Servings
Ingredients
For the Fries
- 1-2 Tbsp. flour (wheat, rice, chickpea, or semolina)
- 2-4 Tbsp. oil as needed (olive, canola or grapeseed)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Seasonings such as lemon pepper, curry powder, paprika, chili powder, or cumin (optional)
For the Cilantro Yogurt Dipping Sauce
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 Tbsp. brown mustard
- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash and peel the kohlrabi. If they have leaves attached you can remove and use for another use or discard. If the core is tough, you can cut out. If not, leave in.
- Carefully cut each kohlrabi in half, slice each half into ½-inch slabs and then cut into fries, about ⅓ to ½ inch thick.
- Heat the oil in a heavy pan over medium heat. Toss the kohlrabi with the flour and salt in a bowl to coat the kohlrabi sticks.
- Add the kohlrabi to the oil in batches, without crowding the pan. Cook till browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- While the fries are cooking make the dipping sauce. Simply combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk to mix well.
- Once browned, let your fries cool on a paper towel. This will drain off any extra oil and help them to stay crispy.
- Toss with the seasoning of your choice.
- Baking method: Omit the flour. Toss the kohlrabi sticks with the oil, and bake for about 30 minutes in a 425 degree oven till crispy, turning after 15 minutes. Sprinkle with seasoning to taste while still warm.
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish, if desired.
Serve with the cilantro dipping sauce. You can also dip them in ketchup for a more kid-friendly treat. And if you need more fun recipes with this crunchy cruciferous as the main ingredients, try my recipe for spiral cut kohlrabi noodle stir fry.
Why I Love Kohlrabi Fries
- They’re prepped in minutes
- They’re something a little different if you’re tired of the old French fry routine
- Made with just a few simple ingredients
- Low-carb (there are 8 grams of carbs per 1 cup of kohlrabi)
- And lastly, they taste delicious
What Do Kohlrabi Fries Taste Like?
Though kohlrabi is technically in the cabbage family, it smells something like turnip and tastes kind of like crunchy broccoli stems. So if you’re a fan of cruciferous veggies, chances are you’ll love these!
Do They Crisp Up Like Regular Fries?
Because they’re different veggies, kohlrabi fries are not as crispy as regular potato fries, they lack the starch. Kohlrabi fries bake much like oven baked potato fries, which aren’t quite as crispy as regular fries. Having said that, kohlrabi fries are a great alternative to traditional French fries, especially if you are looking for low-carb fries or trying to eat more nutrient dense foods.
Recipe Tips and Variations
Remove the thick outer skin from your kohlrabi. It’s tough (especially in larger kohlrabi and does not bake up well). If the core of your kohlrabi is particularly fibrous, just cut it out. If the leaves are still attached to your kohlrabi bulbs (and in good shape), you can clean, reserve and use in another recipe, like my creamy vegan kohlrabi soup recipe. Yep, those are edible. Cut your fries into roughly equal size pieces so they cook evenly.
Mix up the spice blend with your favorite seasoning. If you want to go simple, just use salt and pepper. You can garnish with chopped green onion, chopped chives, parsley, cilantro or grated Parmesan cheese. Or, simple omit all of those for basic fries.
If you try these kohlrabi fries, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how it went. If you enjoy this recipe and are fascinated by this bulbous produce, give my spiral cut kohlrabi noodle stir fry recipe a try. Or use it as a side dish like the slaw in my pork chops with a kohlrabi-apple slaw recipe.
Let me know if you grow your kohlrabi and how it turns out. It can be quite different growing it indoors versus outdoors. I find indoors is always much slower. If you like this stuff, sign up for the newsletter and you’ll get new homesteading ideas delivered right to your inbox.
Sources and photo credits:
Kohlrabi Fries
https://germanfoods.org/recipes/kohlrabi-fries/
Kohlrabi Fries Recipe (just 6 ingredients) | Girl Heart Food®
https://girlheartfood.com/kohlrabi-fries-recipe/
November 2, 2020 By Dawn