Total carotenoid amounts of rocket samples were established between 120.56 μg g−1 (fresh) and 130.06 μg g−1 (microwave). In addition, total phenol and flavonoid results of rockets dried in microwave and oven were found between 655.53 (oven) and 1790.96 mg GAE/100 g (fresh) to 254.03 (oven) and 1668.83 mg/100 g (fresh), respectively. Also, radical scavenging activities (DPPH and FRAP) of rocket samples were measured between 7.55 (oven) and 25.45 mmol kg−1 (fresh) to 35.59 (oven) and 66.74 mg g−1 (fresh), respectively. Gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, catechin and rutin were the main phenolic compounds found in rocket samples. Catechin contents of rockets dried in microwave and oven systems were recorded between 349.60 (oven) and 442.47 mg/100 g (fresh). Gallic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid amounts of rocket samples were monitored between 52.84 (oven) and 952.15 mg/100 g (fresh) to 30.92 (oven) and 282.15 mg/100 g (fresh), respectively. The protein amounts of rockets were determined between 11.00% (microwave) and 11.60% (oven). P and K values of fresh and dried rockets were found between 3148.36 (oven) and 3752.33 mg kg−1 (fresh) to 39 363.75 (microwave) and 36 883.41 mg/kg (fw), respectively. Also, Ca and Mg results of fresh and dried-rockets were found between 26 739.33 (microwave) and 29 534.48 mg kg−1 (fresh) to 3125.32 (microwave) and 3431.70 mg kg−1 (fresh), respectively. The highest S (14 665.30 mg kg−1) was detected in rocket sample dried in microwave.