Kohlrabi Home Fries Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Kohlrabi Home Fries Recipe (1)

Total Time
About 30 minutes
Rating
4(478)
Notes
Read community notes

Kohlrabi can be cut into thick sticks like home fries, browned in a small amount of oil, and seasoned with chili powder (my favorite), curry powder, cumin or paprika. It’s a very satisfying and healthy fry.

Featured in: Kohlrabi: A Dinner Ally in Disguise

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings

  • 1½ to 2pounds kohlrabi
  • 1tablespoon rice flour, chickpea flour or semolina (more as needed)
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 to 4tablespoons canola oil or grapeseed oil, as needed
  • Chili powder, ground cumin, curry powder or paprika to taste

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Peel the kohlrabi and cut into thick sticks, about ⅓ to ½ inch wide and about 2 inches long.

  2. Step

    2

    Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a heavy skillet (cast iron is good). Meanwhile, place the flour in a large bowl, season with salt if desired and quickly toss the kohlrabi sticks in the flour so that they are lightly coated.

  3. Step

    3

    When the oil is rippling, carefully add the kohlrabi to the pan in batches so that the pan isn't crowded. Cook on one side until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Then, using tongs, turn the pieces over to brown on the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes. The procedure should take only about 5 minutes if there is enough oil in the pan. Drain on paper towels, then sprinkle right away with the seasoning of your choice. Serve hot.

Tip

  • Advance preparation: You can cut up the kohlrabi several hours before frying. Keep in the refrigerator.

Ratings

4

out of 5

478

user ratings

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

GambaGirlICT

Can this be done in a hot oven?

David

These kohlrabi fries are incredibly delicious, with great texture as well. Try this: Cut kohlrabi ~ 5/16" thick and 1" wide. Dredge in ~ 2/3 rice flour, 1/3 kosher salt, more than the 1 Tb called for in the recipe. Fry quickly in a little canola oil until nicely browned, which leaves the interiors of the fries with a bit of crunch. They are so good we don't even bother to use the chili powder, cumin, etc. Still good the next day, cold.

Condiment queen

If it's bland, you aren't adding enough salt. Also, add a squeeze of lemon or lime over the finished product.

Stew

Can I use all purpose flour? I don’t have the other types on hand

Mariangela

It’s like making lemonade out of lemons…the recipe is great but kohlrabi? Not so much…

AmyW

We made this with AP flour and cooked in the deep fryer. Worked perfectly. Not the most exciting thing but used an item we had and didn’t know what to do with!

Bill

If you were expecting something akin to French fries, better go back to potatoes.

Bruce L

Used gluten free baking flour and many seasonings. Gochugaru was fav.

Foodie From Oz

I used avocado oil and arrowroot for coating, then smoked paprika, chilli powder, garlic powder & celtic salt for seasoning. Then baked in a hot oven. Delicious!

Stew

Can I use all purpose flour? I don’t have the other types on hand

barbA

Time to fry took a little longer. Watery texture inside ... it seems that kohlrabi is begging not to be prepared in such a way but instead served in a cold salad, refreshingly. Anything can be fried and seasoned, but should it be? And, yes, you can do this in the oven.

Sufti

We had an overabundance of kohlrabi from our farm share. I made three batches: chipotle chili, coriander and paprika and cumin and coriander. Well received, crunchy with a nice crust. Adding the lime is a great idea.

Sarah

Can this be done in an air fryer?

Richard

Just made these and they were a hit, even with the not so adventurous eaters. For flavor we used a Cajun mix. I cut them thicker than recommended and so they were still a bit crunchy on the inside. That was fine by me, but next time cut thinner or maybe blanch for a minute before flouring.

Emily

So easy and so tasty!

David

These kohlrabi fries are incredibly delicious, with great texture as well. Try this: Cut kohlrabi ~ 5/16" thick and 1" wide. Dredge in ~ 2/3 rice flour, 1/3 kosher salt, more than the 1 Tb called for in the recipe. Fry quickly in a little canola oil until nicely browned, which leaves the interiors of the fries with a bit of crunch. They are so good we don't even bother to use the chili powder, cumin, etc. Still good the next day, cold.

Condiment queen

If it's bland, you aren't adding enough salt. Also, add a squeeze of lemon or lime over the finished product.

Dennis

Bland as other's insisted, heavily season this dish.

Bess

I love this I have my own home grown and it is very tasty

Private notes are only visible to you.

Kohlrabi Home Fries Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the closest vegetable to kohlrabi? ›

Broccoli stems are my favorite substitute when I can't find kohlrabi at the farmers market. Both broccoli and kohlrabi are in the brassica family (cabbage family), and have a similar flavor and texture. Plus, you get broccoli stems for free when you buy a full broccoli crown, so using it is a total win-win.

How to prepare kohlrabi? ›

There are several ways to cook kohlrabi, most of them similar to how you cook potatoes: boiled, steamed, roasted, fried or mashed. Slices and sticks can be stir-fried, and the whole stem can be hollowed out and stuffed with a veggie and rice or meat filling and baked like stuffed peppers.

Do I need to peel kohlrabi? ›

Wise words from Brad: "Always peel the bulb, because the outside layer is rather fibrous and unpleasant. It won't break down after being cooked." Use a sharp knife to remove the skin, as it's too thick for a traditional vegetable peeler. Kohlrabi is equally tasty raw or cooked.

What is the flavor of kohlrabi? ›

A member of the cabbage family, kohlrabi carries a signature sweet-but-peppery flavor profile, with a taste and texture reminiscent of broccoli stems. When buying kohlrabi, pick vegetables that are firm and solid, never squishy.

What is kohlrabi called in America? ›

Kohlrabi (German: [koːlˈʁaːbi]; pronounced /koʊlˈrɑːbi/ in English; scientific name Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group), also called German turnip or turnip cabbage, is a biennial vegetable, a low, stout cultivar of wild cabbage.

What is a bad companion plant for kohlrabi? ›

Direct seed kohlrabi in the garden from mid-April until early May, and again later in July. Avoid planting kohlrabi where you have grown related crops—broccoli, cauliflower, collards, kale, turnip, rutabaga, cabbage, mustard, bok choy, Brussels sprouts—during the previous four years.

Is kohlrabi a laxative? ›

Kohlrabi is a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. The former is water-soluble and helps maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels. On the other hand, insoluble fiber isn't broken down in your intestine, helping add bulk to your stool and promote regular bowel movements ( 19 ).

Is kohlrabi good or bad for you? ›

Kohlrabi is a low glycemic index food. As a result, it can help improve satiety and glycemic control. As part of a healthy diet, kohlrabi can help improve overall metabolism and aid with weight loss. Because kohlrabi is high in calcium and magnesium, it contributes to stronger bones.

Does kohlrabi taste like potatoes? ›

Kohlrabi tastes like cabbage and looks like a turnip, albeit a spiney turnip that is sprouting leaves reminiscent of a cross between kale and collards. Kohlrabi resembles a root vegetable, but actually, the edible globe is the modified swollen stem of the plant and grows above ground.

What does kohlrabi go well with? ›

Meat: Kohlrabi pairs well with meats such as bacon, chicken, sausage, and pork. Herbs: Fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, mint, rosemary, thyme, and chives complement the nutty, buttery flavour of kohlrabi and add a bright, fresh flavour.

Should I refrigerate kohlrabi? ›

Kohlrabi can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. Storage life can be extended if kohlrabi is placed in sealed perforated plastic bags. To prevent cross-contamination, keep kohlrabi away from raw meat and meat juices. Wash hands before and after handling fresh produce.

How do you know when kohlrabi is done? ›

Kohlrabi is ready to harvest when its bulb is 1 to 3 inches in diameter, or about the size of a tennis ball. Do not pick the vegetable in warm weather, as the root becomes woody. Kohlrabi leaves are also edible.

What is the nickname for kohlrabi? ›

The leafy part can be eaten raw when young and tender or cooked like other greens as they mature. Kohlrabi also has the nickname Sputnik, since the vegetable looks like the early Russian space satellite!

What is the smell of kohlrabi? ›

Initially, the stinky feet cabbage-like smell turned me off while they were steaming (it's actually the hydrogen sulfide emitted from all brassica oleracea vegetables–like broccoli and cabbage–when cooking), but all that was forgotten on first bite.

Is kohlrabi a super food? ›

Kohlrabi juice has potent antioxidants such as vitamin C, isothiocyanates, anthocyanins, and glucosinolates. A study by Michalak in 2022 showed that the above-mentioned antioxidants present in kohlrabi could protect the cells from free radical damage and slow down the ageing process.

What plant is similar to kohlrabi? ›

The so-called “cabbage family” – actually the species Brassica oleracea – has given us several botanical monstrosities we enjoy as food, but none I think is quite so outré as the kohlrabi. In fact most of this wacky family – cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, collards, kale, etc.

What is related to kohlrabi? ›

Kohlrabi, also called German turnip, is a cruciferous vegetable in the same family as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mustard greens, collards, and kale. It can be eaten raw or cooked and is a popular ingredient in salad or coleslaw. It tastes similar to broccoli with a slightly sweet flavor.

Does Trader Joe's have kohlrabi? ›

It's a true work of art when served as a savory side, and when topped with your favorite protein, creates an easy entrée for a weeknight dinner. Be sure to stop by your neighborhood Trader Joe's produce section to pick up a bag of Trader Joe's Kohlrabi Vegetable Pasta—and to see our other Brassica-based offerings, too.

What is the English name for kohlrabi vegetable? ›

Kohlrabi, also known as German turnip, is a cruciferous vegetable. Despite its secondary name, kohlrabi is not a root vegetable and does not belong to the turnip family. Instead, it belongs to the Brassica, or mustard family and is related to cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower ( 1 ).

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