Low Carb

August 6, 2020 Appetizer

Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

These savory cream cheese sausage balls are the ultimate delicious appetizer or perfect for snacking! With crispy bottoms and moist, cheesy centers, they are absolutely addictive. Keto, low carb, and gluten free, too!

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Mild or spicy sausage
Cream cheese
Sharp cheddar
Almond flour
Coconut flour
Baking powder
Eggs
Salt

How To Make Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Mix together the sausage and cream cheese either with a mixer or by hand. Add the eggs and cheese and mix until well-combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the mixture to the cheese and stir well.

Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the fridge for at least an hour.

After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 375º F.

Spray a large baking or cookie sheet with cooking spray or line with aluminum foil.

Scoop the dough in tablespoon sized portions and roll into balls. Place them on the baking sheet about an inch apart. (This recipe makes about 35-40 balls, so you might have several baking sheets worth!)

Bake until the balls are golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Let the cheese balls cool slightly before placing them on a paper towel lined plate.

Instructions for cream cheese sausage balls

Top Tips For Making

To make these balls gluten free, make sure your baking powder does not contain any gluten.
If you’d like a little extra flavor in your cheese balls, add a couple cloves of minced garlic to your dough.
We highly recommend spraying your aluminum foil with a little cooking spray. We found that this was the best way to keep the cheese balls from sticking.
Each serving size is about 4 cheese balls. We made 40 with ours!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Our recipes focus on real ingredients and homemade elements. We try to avoid processed flour and sugar, like white flour or white sugar. Our recipes often swap less healthy options (like a commercial, deep-friend tostada) for an easy homemade version.

Our recipes are not necessarily low fat or low calorie, and we aren’t afraid of fat or carbs! Some of our recipes will be “skinny,” low carb, keto, paleo, dairy free, grain free, gluten free, Whole30, or vegan, and they will be labeled when they qualify for any of these diets. All our recipes are easy and family friendly!

More Delicious Appetizers

We hope you loved this recipe as much as we did! We’d love for you to give us a star ★ rating below, and follow us on Instagram! For more delicious, healthy recipes, be sure to check out 40 Aprons.

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Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

These delicious and addictive cheese balls are a perfect party appetizer or keto snack.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Chill Time1 hr

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy snack, gluten-free, keto

Servings: servings

Calories: 413kcal

Author: Jenny Hurley

Cost: $1

Ingredients

1 pound sausage mild or spicy
8 ounces cream cheese softened
2 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded or grated
1 cup almond flour
1/3 cup coconut flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Using mixer or by hand, mix together sausage and cream cheese. Add eggs and cheddar cheese and mix until well-combined.
Whisk together almond flour, coconut flour, salt, and baking powder in separate bowl.
Add dry ingredients to cheese mixture and stir well. Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour. After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 375º F. Spray a large baking or cookie sheet with cooking spray or line with aluminum foil.
Scoop the dough in tablespoon sized portions and roll into balls. Place them on the baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake until the balls are golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let the cheese balls cool slightly before placing them on a paper towel lined plate.

Notes

Gluten free: Ensure baking powder does not contain gluten.
Serving size: Recipe makes 35-40 cheese balls. 1 serving is 4 balls.
Cooking notes: We found the best way to keep the cheese balls from sticking to the tray was to use aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray.
Flavor variations: Add 2-3 minced garlic cloves to batter.

Nutrition

July 30, 2020 Desserts

Keto Chocolate Mousse

This creamy, rich chocolate mousse is an absolutely decadent keto treat! Like a thick, delicious pudding, this mousse is a perfect fat bomb when you need to hit all your macros or are just craving chocolate-y goodness.

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Cream cheese
Heavy cream
Powdered erythritol
Cocoa powder
Vanilla extract

How To Make Keto Chocolate Mousse

Whip the heavy cream in a large bowl until it forms firm peaks.

In a separate bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients.

Mix everything together until well combined.

Chill in the fridge for about an hour before serving.

Top Tips For Making

We used a hand mixer for the whipped cream, but stirred together the cream cheese and powders with a spatula. You can use hand mixer for everything, but we preferred the consistency we got mixing our cream cheese manually.
Powdered erythritol was our sweetener of choice for this recipe, but you can use any powdered sweetener, such as monk fruit or Swerve. As long it’s powdered, it’ll work!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Close-up of keto chocolate mousse in a bowl

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Keto Chocolate Mousse

This delicious and decadent chocolate dessert is absolutely perfect when you're on keto

Prep Time10 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fewer than 5 ingredients, low carb, no added sugar

Servings: servings

Calories: 411kcal

Author: Jenny Hurley

Cost: $2

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup powdered erythritol
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Whip the heavy cream in a large bowl until it forms firm peaks.
In a separate bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients.
Mix everything together until well combined. Chill in the fridge for about an hour before serving.

Notes

Mixing: We recommend mixing cream cheese and powders with spatula or fork to get good consistency.
Sweetener: Can sub with monk fruit or Swerve, so long as they are powdered.

Nutrition

July 28, 2020 Air Fryer

Air Fryer Fried Pickles

This recipe is a pickle lover’s dream come true! Pickles fried in the air fryer are crispy, juicy, and insanely addictive. Even better, this recipe is also keto and gluten free!

Fried pickles on a plate with a side of ranch

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Dill pickles
Eggs
Heavy cream
Almond flour
Parmesan cheese
Cajun seasoning
Cayenne pepper
Avocado oil spray

How To Make Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Cut the pickles in half lengthwise, then cut them again into quarters.

Mix together the eggs and the heavy cream in a shallow dish.

In a separate bowl, mix together the parmesan cheese, almond flour, and the seasoning.

Dip the pickle slices in the egg mixture.

Dip the egg-coated pickles into the almond flour mixture, making sure to coat each side well.

Put the pickles on a tray or plate and freeze until the coating becomes solid, about 15 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400º F. When it’s heated, spray the air fryer baking sheet or basket with the oil so that the pickles won’t stick.

Arrange the pickles in a single layer in the air fryer. Spray them with some more oil.

Cook for 10-12 minutes in the air fryer at 400º F. Flip them halfway through the cook time.

Top Tips For Making

If you’re on a keto diet, make sure you use sugar-free pickles. We used Bubbies for ours.
No need to run out a buy a block of parmesan to grate! You can use pre-grated parm, including the kind that comes in a plastic shaker!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Pickles on a plate with a side of ranch in a cup

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Air Fryer Fried Pickles

These pickles fried in the air fryer are absolutely addictive and perfectly crispy.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy snack, gluten-free, keto

Servings: servings

Calories: 132kcal

Author: Jenny Hurley

Cost: $1

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

12 ounces dill pickles about 4 medium-large pickles
2 eggs beaten
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup parmesan cheese See Notes
1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
avocado oil spray

Instructions

Cut the pickles in half lengthwise, then cut them again into quarters. Mix together the eggs and the heavy cream in a shallow dish. In a separate bowl, mix together the parmesan cheese, almond flour, and the seasoning.
Dip the pickle slices in the egg mixture, then into the almond flour mixture, making sure to coat each side well. Put the pickles on a tray or plate and freeze until the coating becomes solid, about 15 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400º F. When it's heated, spray the air fryer baking sheet or basket with the oil so that the pickles won't stick. Arrange the pickles in a single layer in the air fryer. Spray them with some more oil. Cook for 10-12 minutes in the air fryer at 400º F. Flip them halfway through the cook time.

Notes

Keto: Make sure pickles are sugar free.
Parmesan: Can use any type of grated, including from a plastic shaker.

Nutrition

July 21, 2020 Appetizer

Cucumber Chips

These cucumber chips will totally curb your chip cravings, but without all the carbs! Salt and vinegar flavored, but easy to customize, they are perfectly crunchy, salty, and taste like junk food with no junk!

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Cucumbers
Avocado oil
Salt
Vinegar

How To Make Cucumber Chips

Preheat the oven to 175º F.

Line a baking or cookie sheet with some parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet.

Wash the cucumbers and slice them into thin rounds. They should be thin, but not so much that you can see through them.

Mix together the oil, vinegar, and salt in a large bowl.

Gently dip the cucumber slices into the avocado oil mixture.

Place the slices on the cookie sheet and bake for 3-4 hours until crispy.

Top Tips For Making

Use a sharp knife or a mandolin to cut your cucumber into slices, but, obviously, be really careful! You want the slices to be thin enough to get crispy, but not so thin that they stick to the cookie sheet.
If you’re not a fan of salt and vinegar, omit the vinegar. You can also add things like cayenne pepper if you want a kick, garlic salt, or smoked paprika. The cucumbers are basically a blank canvas!
We used medium-sized cucumbers for our chips, but smaller ones have smaller seeds. It’s just whatever your personal preference is!
If you have a dehydrator, you can cook these chips at 125-135º F for 10-12 hours.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

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Cucumber Chips

These salty, crispy, crunchy chips have all the flavor of potato chips, but without the carbs.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time4 hrs

Total Time4 hrs 5 mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fewer than 5 ingredients, low carb, vegan

Servings: servings

Calories: 50kcal

Author: Jenny Hurley

Cost: $1

Ingredients

2 cucumbers
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 175º F. Line a baking or cookie sheet with some parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet. Wash the cucumbers and slice them into thin rounds. They should be thin, but not so much that you can see through them.
Mix together the oil, vinegar, and salt in a large bowl. Gently dip the cucumber slices into the avocado oil mixture.
Place the slices on the cookie sheet and bake for 3-4 hours until crispy.

Notes

Flavor variations: Omit vinegar and add cayenne pepper, garlic powder, or smoked paprika.
Cutting notes: Use a sharp knife or mandolin carefully to cut into slices that are not see-through, but are quite thin.
Cucumbers: Use small cucumbers if you prefer small seeds.
Dehydrator: Cook chips 125-135º F for 10-12 hours.

Nutrition

July 7, 2020 Desserts

Keto Mug Brownie

This decadent mug cake is the perfect way to get your fix of chocolate when you’re on keto. Warm, indulgent chocolate brownie goodness is just a few steps and a few minutes away! Gluten free, too!

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Egg
Butter
Almond flour
Coconut flour
Swerve
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Vanilla extract
Baking powder
Salt

How To Make Keto Mug Brownie

Melt the butter in a medium bowl.

Add the egg and vanilla and whisk everything to combine.

Add in the rest of the ingredients and whisk well until everything is mostly smooth.

Pour the batter into a medium-sized mug.

Microwave for 65 seconds.

Top Tips For Making

Serve with a dollop or two of our keto whipped cream.
If you’re on a gluten free diet, make sure to use gluten free baking powder. Bob’s Red Mill and Clabber Girl are two good ones.
Try adding a handful of unsweetened chocolate chips for a delicious ooey, gooey chocolatey center.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

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5 from 5 votes

Keto Mug Brownie

This keto mug brownie is chocolatey deliciousness in a mug!

Prep Time2 mins

Cook Time1 min

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: gluten-free, low carb, no added sugar

Servings: serving

Calories: 361kcal

Author: Jenny Hurley

Cost: $2

Ingredients

1 egg
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Swerve or other keto sweetener
2 tablespoons almond flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
salt pinch, optional

Instructions

Melt butter in a medium bowl. Add egg and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
Add almond flour, coconut flour, swerve, cacao powder, baking powder, and salt (if desired). Whisk well to combine.
Pour batter into medium-sized mug and microwave 65 seconds.

Notes

Serving: Serve with keto whipped cream or powdered sugar substitute.
Gluten free: Make sure baking powder is gluten free.

Nutrition

June 24, 2020 Air Fryer

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

These crunchy, flavorful chips only take 2 ingredients and are perfect for snacking! They are so easy to whip up and keto, gluten free, and low carb!

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Zucchini
Parmesan cheese

How To Make Zucchini Chips in the Air Fryer

Slice the zucchini into rounds about a quarter inch thick.

Place the chips in the air fryer basket or rack in a single layer.

Sprinkle a thin layer of cheese over the chips, making sure to cover them.

Cook for 12 minutes at 370º F or until the cheese is dark brown.

Top Tips For Making

Use a mandolin or a very sharp knife cut your zucchini. You want the chips to be thin, but not too thin.
Keep a close eye on your chips, especially the first time you make them. Every air fryer is different, so some may cook more quickly than others. Check your chips halfway through the cooking time for doneness.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

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5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

These easy, healthy zucchini chips are so easy to make with only 2 ingredients

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time12 mins

Total Time17 mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy snack, keto, parmesan

Servings: serving

Calories: 249kcal

Cost: $1

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

1 zucchini medium
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Slice the zucchini into rounds about a quarter inch thick. Place the chips in the air fryer basket or rack in a single layer.
Sprinkle a thin layer of cheese over the chips, making sure to cover them. Cook for 12 minutes at 370º F or until the cheese is dark brown.

Notes

Cook time: Check chips halfway through cook time to ensure they do not burn.
Cutting: Use mandolin or sharp knife.

Nutrition

June 11, 2020 Condiment

Keto Whipped Cream

This whipped cream is just as indulgent and decadent as the traditional version, but with no added sugar! With just 3 easy ingredients, this keto whipped cream tastes so much like the real thing and is perfect for desserts or even keto French toast.

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Heavy cream
Vanilla extract
Powdered erythritol

How To Make Keto Whipped Cream

Mix together all the ingredients in a medium sized bowl using a whisk or hand mixer.

Keep mixing until you see soft peaks. This will take about 5-8 minutes.

Top Tips For Making

Use a metal bowl if you have one. It also helps if the bowl is chilled, so pop it in the fridge prior to making the whipped cream.
You can add only 1 tablespoon of sweetener if you want it less sweet. You could also add cocoa powder to make chocolate whipped cream.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

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Keto Whipped Cream

This easy keto whipped cream tastes so much like the real thing!

Prep Time8 mins

Total Time8 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: low carb, no added sugar, topping

Servings: servings

Calories: 208kcal

Cost: $1

Equipment

Hand mixer or whisk

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons powdered erythritol

Instructions

Using a hand mixer or whisk, mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
Continue mixing until small peaks form, about 5-8 minutes.

Notes

Mixing: Use metal bowl if available. Chill bowl in fridge prior to making.
Ingredient variations: Use 1 tablespoon powdered erythritol for less sweet whipped cream. Add cocoa powder for chocolate whipped cream.

Nutrition

June 4, 2020 Breakfast

Keto French Toast

This keto French toast is so delicious and so easy! With only 7 easy-to-find ingredients needed to make everything, this recipe is perfect for whipping up on weekends or weekdays. It’s also gluten free!

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Butter
Heavy cream
Eggs
Coconut flour
Baking powder
Cinnamon
Vanilla extract

How To Make Keto French Toast

Whisk together all the ingredients for the bread in a small baking dish.

Microwave the bread for 90 seconds.

Let the bread cool for a few minutes before cutting it in half.

Whisk together all the ingredients for the coating in a medium bowl. Dip both sides of the bread in the coating.

Melt a little butter in a pan and fry the bread for 2-3 minutes on each side.

Instructions for making keto French toast

Top Tips For Making

We topped our French toast with powdered erythritol, a powdered sugar substitute. You could also try sugar-free syrup, fruit, or whatever you like that fits your dietary needs!
Use a 4×6 or 5×7 baking dish to make your bread. A larger one will make the bread too thin.
When you’re whisking your coating for the bread, make sure to use a wide enough bowl since the bread doesn’t bend quite as well as traditional bread. We actually just used our baking dish!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Close-up of a bite of French toast on a fork

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Keto French Toast

Prep Time2 mins

Cook Time8 mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: low carb, single serving

Servings: serving

Calories: 407kcal

Cost: $2

Ingredients

Keto Bread

2 tablespoons butter melted
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 egg
2 tablespoons coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
butter for frying the bread

Coating

1 egg
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Whisk together all bread ingredients in a small baking dish.
Microwave bread for 90 seconds.
Let bread cool, then cut in half.
Whisk together coating ingredients in bowl and dip both sides of bread in coating.
Melt butter in pan and fry bread for 2-3 minutes on each side.

Notes

Baking dish: Use 4×6 or 5×7 dish for bread.
Topping: Powdered erythritol, sugar-free syrup, fruit, or whatever you like that fits your dietary needs.

Nutrition

June 2, 2020 Easy

Deviled Egg Salad

This egg salad is all the delicious flavors of a deviled egg. Low carb, tangy, and super creamy, it’s the perfect filling for sandwiches, lettuce cups, or even on its own. So easy to whip up and great for meal prep, too!

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Hard-boiled eggs – Packed with protein, eggs are perfect for this low carb and keto-friendly salad.
Mayonnaise – Use good quality mayo without a strong taste to it, or it can make your egg salad too pungent.
Dill pickles – Pickles add a bite of freshness and a nice crunch to this salad.
Mustard – Just like with traditional deviled eggs, mustard helps make this salad tangy and tart.
Vinegar – Gives the egg salad a bit of acidity and a little tartness.
Paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper – The perfect seasonings to enhance the flavor of the other ingredients

How To Make Deviled Egg Salad

Peel the eggs and slice them in half.

Remove the yolk from the eggs and add them to a small bowl. Put the whites to the side.

Add all of the ingredients except the egg whites to the bowl and mash everything together. Stir until it’s all well combined.

Chop the egg whites into little pieces and add them to the yolks.

Stick the salad in the fridge to chill and then serve on butter lettuce, cucumber slices, bread, or eat it by itself.

Top Tips For Making

To make the perfect, easy peel hard-boiled eggs, check out our posts on how to make them on the stove or in the air fryer.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

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Deviled Egg Salad

This delicious egg salad is the perfect low carb sandwich filling or side salad.

Prep Time5 mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: deviled eggs, easy side, sandwich filling

Servings: servings

Calories: 250kcal

Cost: $2

Ingredients

6 hard-boiled eggs
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup dill pickles chopped
1 tablespoon mustard
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Peel the boiled eggs and slice in half.
Place egg yolks in bowl and place whites to the side.
Add the mayo, pickles, mustard, vinegar, paprika, salt, and pepper to the yolks and mash together. Stir until well combined.
Chop egg whites into small pieces. Add to the yolks.
Chill and serve with butter lettuce, on cucumber slices, or alone.

Nutrition

May 28, 2020 Appetizer

Keto Fries

These fries will be the best fries you ever ate on keto, or maybe ever! Salty, garlicky, and wonderfully crispy, you won’t believe that they’re low in net carbs and perfectly delicious, whether you’re on keto or not.

What You’ll Need To Make Keto Fries

Rutabagas – About 1/3 lower in net carbs than potatoes, rutabagas make fries that taste like the perfect combo of regular fries and sweet potato fries.
Avocado oil – A neutral oil like avocado lightly flavors the fries without making them too greasy.
Paprika and garlic salt – These seasonings help add a kick of flavor to the fries. Don’t skip them!
Sea salt and black pepper

How To Make This Recipe

Preheat your oven to 400º F.
Peel the rutabagas and slice them into sticks about 1/4 inch wide each. (See the top tips for how to cut a rutabaga!)
Toss the rutabaga fries with the oil and seasonings in a large bowl.
Place an oven-safe baking rack on top of a large cookie sheet. Arrange the fries on the rack in a single layer, leaving some space between each one.
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the fries are crispy. If the fries are not crispy enough, switch the oven to broil for a few minutes at the end of the cook time.

Top Tips For Making

Rutabagas are tough to cut, so we recommend using a sharp knife, in particular a butcher knife. Sharp knives have way less chance of slipping and cutting you, and you don’t need to apply as much pressure to cut through the rutabaga’s tough skin. This post has some great tips for cutting a rutabaga.
Don’t skimp on the seasoning! Like potatoes, rutabagas have a light, mild flavor on their own and primarily get their flavor from the spices added.
These fries are delicious with our Whole30 dump ranch, Whole30 ketchup, honey mustard, or any other condiment you like with fries!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

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Keto Fries

These unbelievably delicious fries are the perfect keto snack.

Servings: servings

Calories: 193kcal

Cost: $2

Ingredients

2 medium rutabagas
1/4 cup avocado oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400º F.
Peel rutabagas and slice into sticks about 1/4 inch wide each.
Toss fries with avocado oil, garlic salt, paprika, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
Place an oven-safe baking rack on top of a large cookie sheet. Arrange ries on rack in a single layer, leaving some space between each one.
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the fries are crispy. If the fries are not crispy enough, switch the oven to broil for a few minutes at the end of the cook time.

Notes

Cutting rutabagas: Be sure to use sharp, large knife. This post has some great tips for cutting a rutabaga.
Condiment ideas: Whole30 dump ranch, Whole30 ketchup, honey mustard

Nutrition