I was skeptical the first time I tried making air fryer celery root & apple soup—could something so creamy and complex really come together in under 30 minutes? Oh, was I wrong! The air fryer works magic here, roasting the veggies and apples to sweet, caramelized perfection without any fuss. The celery root gets this earthy depth, while the apples add just the right hint of sweetness. It’s like autumn in a bowl, but so much easier than babysitting a pot on the stove. Trust me, once you taste how smooth and velvety this soup turns out, you’ll be as obsessed as I am. And hey—no stirring required!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Celery Root & Apple Soup
This soup isn’t just delicious—it’s downright addictive. Here’s why you’ll be making it on repeat:
- Lightning-fast comfort food: The air fryer roasts everything to perfection in 15 minutes flat—no waiting around for the oven or stirring a pot for hours.
- Creamy without the cream: The celery root and apples blend into this luxuriously smooth texture that feels indulgent (though you can totally add cream if you’re feeling fancy).
- Sweet & savory magic: The apples caramelize beautifully against the earthy celery root—it’s that perfect balance you didn’t know you needed in soup form.
- Set-it-and-forget-it easy: Toss everything in the air fryer basket, shake once, and walk away. Even I can’t mess this up!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Celery Root & Apple Soup
This soup’s magic comes from just a handful of simple ingredients—most of which you probably have already! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 medium celery root, peeled and cubed (about 2 cups—don’t skip the peeling; that skin’s bitter!)
- 2 medium apples, peeled and chopped (I like Honeycrisp, but Granny Smith works for extra tang)
- 1 small onion, diced (yellow or white—whatever’s languishing in your pantry)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp jarred—I won’t judge)
- 3 cups vegetable broth (chicken broth works too in a pinch)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (the good stuff for roasting)
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked if you’re feeling fancy)
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (trust me, it makes the flavors pop)
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional, but oh-so-luxurious)
How to Make Air Fryer Celery Root & Apple Soup
Step 1: Prep the Vegetables
First things first – get those veggies ready! Peel the celery root thoroughly (that knobby skin is no joke) and chop it into 1-inch cubes. Pro tip: Keep your pieces roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Same goes for the apples – peel ’em, core ’em, and chop ’em. The onion gets a fine dice (no one wants giant onion chunks in their smooth soup), and give that garlic a good smash and mince. Toss everything together with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a big bowl – I like to use my hands to make sure every piece gets coated.
Step 2: Air Fry the Ingredients
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) – this little wait makes all the difference for perfect roasting. Spread your veggie-apple mixture in the basket in a single layer (don’t crowd it!). Set the timer for 15 minutes, but here’s the key: at the 8-minute mark, give that basket a good shake. You want all sides to get that beautiful caramelization. Check at 15 minutes – the celery root should be fork-tender and the apples softened. If not, give it another 2-3 minutes (all air fryers run a little different).
Step 3: Blend and Finish
Now for the magic! Carefully transfer your roasted goodness to a blender (a food processor works too). Add the vegetable broth and nutmeg – start with 2 cups and add more as needed. Blend until silky smooth – about 1-2 minutes. Pour it back into a pot on the stove over medium-low heat. This is when you’d stir in that optional heavy cream if you’re feeling indulgent. Let it warm through gently (don’t boil!), taste for seasoning, and voila – the creamiest, dreamiest soup in under 30 minutes!
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Celery Root & Apple Soup
After making this soup more times than I can count, here are my foolproof tips for perfection:
- Taste before blending: Give the roasted veggies a nibble—sometimes I add extra nutmeg or a pinch of cinnamon before blending for extra warmth.
- Dairy-free magic: Swap heavy cream for coconut milk (the canned kind) for a rich vegan version—it pairs surprisingly well with the apples!
- Texture control: Want it super smooth? Blend longer. Prefer some chunkiness? Pulse lightly and leave a few bits of celery root.
- Double batch hack: Air fry in two rounds if your basket’s small—overcrowding steams instead of roasts the flavors.
- Garnish game: A drizzle of maple syrup or toasted walnuts takes this from good to “wow” with zero extra work.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Celery Root & Apple Soup
This soup shines all on its own, but I love serving it with crusty sourdough for dipping—those caramelized flavors beg to be sopped up! For fancy nights, top with a dollop of crème fraîche and fresh thyme leaves. My kids go nuts for apple slices on the side—sweet crunch perfection!
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Celery Root & Apple Soup
This soup keeps like a dream! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days—the flavors actually deepen overnight. When reheating, go low and slow on the stove with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. Warning: Freezing changes the texture (apples get grainy), so I don’t recommend it unless you’re desperate. Trust me, you’ll likely finish it before storage becomes an issue anyway!
Air Fryer Celery Root & Apple Soup Variations
Sometimes I shake things up—add a thumb of fresh ginger with the garlic for zing, or swap half the celery root for sweet potatoes when I’m feeling adventurous. A splash of apple cider vinegar at the end brightens everything beautifully. The best part? It’s hard to mess up this versatile soup!
Air Fryer Celery Root & Apple Soup FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the things people ask me most about this recipe:
- Can I use chicken broth instead of vegetable? Absolutely! The soup turns out just as tasty. I’ve even used half broth, half apple cider when I wanted extra apple flavor.
- How do I make this vegan? Easy—skip the cream or use full-fat coconut milk. Just watch the nutmeg if you’re serving strict vegans (some consider it non-vegan).
- My soup came out too thick—help! No worries! Just blend in more broth or water a splash at a time until it’s your perfect consistency.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what’s in each comforting bowl (estimates vary based on your exact ingredients):
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 8g (3g saturated)
- Carbs: 24g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
Not too shabby for something this creamy and satisfying! Give this recipe a whirl and tell me how yours turns out in the comments—I love hearing your twists!
Print
15-Minute Air Fryer Celery Root & Apple Soup Magic
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A creamy and flavorful soup made with celery root and apples, cooked quickly in an air fryer for a smooth texture and rich taste.
Ingredients
- 1 medium celery root, peeled and cubed
- 2 medium apples, peeled and chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Toss celery root, apples, onion, and garlic with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Transfer to a blender with vegetable broth and nutmeg. Blend until smooth.
- Return to a pot, stir in heavy cream if using, and heat through.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, omit heavy cream or use coconut milk.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Soup
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: International