These air fryer carrots are seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper. A touch of olive oil roasts them to perfection. Serve topped with fresh herbs!

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Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in recent years, revolutionizing how we cook our favorite foods. Roasting veggies in the air fryer takes about half the time as it does in the oven. You save time to preheat the oven, and roasting time is cut in half! Not to mention clean-up is a breeze. All around, it’s a fantastic way to roast vegetables!
Air fryer carrots have gained recognition for their simplicity, delicious taste, and numerous health benefits. Whether you’re looking for a quick side dish or a flavorful addition to your main course, air fryer carrots will satisfy your taste buds and your desire for a nutritious meal.
👩🍳 Why This Recipe Works
Crispy Texture: Air frying carrots results in a wonderfully crispy exterior while maintaining a tender and juicy interior. The hot circulating air in the fryer helps to achieve that desirable crunch without the need for excessive oil.
Healthier Alternative: By using just a fraction of the oil, air fryer carrots provide a healthier option without compromising on taste. It’s an excellent way to indulge in a delicious snack or side dish.
Retains Nutrients: Air frying preserves the natural nutrients present in carrots. The shorter cooking time and minimal exposure to high heat help to retain essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Versatile Flavor Enhancement: Air fryer carrots can be seasoned and flavored in various ways to suit your preferences. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, you can experiment with spices, herbs, or glazes to enhance the taste of the carrots and create unique flavor combinations.
Time-Saving Convenience: Air fryers are known for their quick cooking times. With air fryer carrots, you can have a delicious and nutritious side dish ready in minutes.
Easy Preparation: All you need to do is wash, peel, and cut the carrots into your desired shape, toss them with oil and seasoning, and then place them in the air fryer. It’s a hassle-free process that requires minimal effort and clean-up.
🥕 Ingredients and Notes
Carrots: Use baby carrots, rainbow carrots, or washed, peeled, and cut carrot sticks. Just be sure your carrots are cut in such a way that they fit your air fryer basket.
Seasoning: All you need is a bit of salt and black pepper. However, feel free to get creative with your seasoning. Add garlic powder, some cayenne for heat, or paprika for a smoky flavor. Season with 1 teaspoon of any dried herbs you like. Oregano, rosemary, thyme, dill, basil, parsley, would compliment these carrots nicely.
📖 Variations and Substitutions
Maple Glazed Carrots: Toss the carrots in a tablespoon of maple syrup and a ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
Air Fry Whole Carrots: If your air fryer basket is large enough, feel free to air fry whole carrots. Prep them as you would regular carrots, but extend the cooking time to 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Air Fryer Carrot Fries: Cut the carrots into thin sticks to resemble fries. Since the carrots are not as thick, reduce the cooking time to 15 minutes.
📋 How to Make Air Fryer Carrots
- Wash and peel the carrots. Slice them into strips that will fit your air fryer basket.
- Combine the carrots, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Toss with clean hands until well combined.
- Place carrots in the air fryer in a single layer.
- Roast at 375° Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, remove the basket, and shake. The carrots are ready when slightly golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
- Serve warm and crispy as is or drizzled with your favorite sauce. My vegan tahini dressing pairs nicely.
❓ Recipe FAQS
Preheat the oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Prepare the carrots by washing, peeling, and slicing them into strips. Toss the carrots with olive oil and seasoning in a large mixing bowl. Transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread them out on the baking sheet in an even layer.
Roast them for about 20 minutes, tossing them at the 10-minute mark.
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, K, C, potassium, and fiber. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, supporting the immune system, and promoting cell growth. Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting and bone health, while vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps boost the immune system.
Season with salt and pepper, or add garlic and herbs to enhance the flavor and bring out the natural sweetness of the carrots. Maple-glazed carrots give them a hint of sweetness. Add some cinnamon for a warm spiced flavor. Or try something spicy with Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.
💭 Expert Tips
- Look for fresh, firm carrots with vibrant orange color. The fresher the carrots, the better the flavor and texture.
- Try to cut the carrots into similar sizes and shapes to ensure even cooking. This helps them cook uniformly, preventing some pieces from being undercooked or overly crispy.
- Experiment with different seasonings to add flavor to your carrots. Don’t be afraid to get creative! The options are endless, from simple salt and pepper to spice blends, herbs, honey, or glazes. Just distribute the seasoning to coat all the carrot pieces evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Place the carrots in a single layer so that they cook evenly.
- The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the size and thickness of your carrot pieces. Start with a moderate temperature (around 375°F/190°C) and adjust as needed. Keep an eye on the carrots and check for your desired level of crispiness. If required, you can extend the cooking time slightly.
- These carrots taste best served hot and crispy out of the air fryer.
- If you like your carrots softer, roast for an additional 5 minutes or until fork tender.
🍴 How to Serve
Once the carrots are cooked, you can garnish them with fresh herbs, a drizzle of sauce, or a squeeze of lemon juice for added freshness. Serve them as a side dish or a snack, or incorporate them into your favorite recipes. I suggest serving them topped with a drizzle of tahini alongside mashed potatoes and a vegan roast!
🫙 How to Store
Allow them to cool to room temperature. Transfer them to an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Reheat your carrots by placing them back in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for about 4 minutes, tossing at the 2-minute mark.
⚖️ Serving Size
This recipe makes six servings.
🎥 Video
🍽 More Air Fryer Recipes!
Recipe
Air Fryer Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 lb rainbow carrots or baby carrots
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or use vegetable stock if avoiding oil
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Slice the carrots into strips that will fit your air fryer basket, or roast whole if your air fryer basket is large enough.
- Combine the carrots, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Toss with clean hands until well combined.
- Place the carrots in the air fryer in a single layer.
- Roast at 375° Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, tossing at the 10-minute mark. Carrots are ready when they are slightly golden brown, crispy, and cooked all through.
- Serve warm and crispy as is or drizzled with your favorite sauce. My vegan tahini dressing pairs nicely.
Notes
- Look for fresh, firm carrots with vibrant orange color. The fresher the carrots, the better the flavor and texture.
- Try to cut the carrots into similar sizes and shapes to ensure even cooking. This helps them cook uniformly, preventing some pieces from being undercooked or overly crispy.
- Experiment with different seasonings to add flavor to your carrots. Don’t be afraid to get creative! The options are endless, from simple salt and pepper to spice blends, herbs, honey, or glazes. Just distribute the seasoning to coat all the carrot pieces evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Place the carrots in a single layer so that they cook evenly.
- The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the size and thickness of your carrot pieces. Start with a moderate temperature (around 375°F/190°C) and adjust as needed. Keep an eye on the carrots and check for your desired level of crispiness. If required, you can extend the cooking time slightly.
- These carrots taste best served hot and crispy out of the air fryer.
- If you like your carrots softer, roast for an additional 5 minutes or until fork tender.
Elena Jones
This recipe is awesome! I just purchased my air fryer so i am still learning how to use it. I am not much of a cook in the first place but love to eat healthier meals.
Gemma
I’ve never thought about using carrots in my air fryer, they look so tasty! Especially with the garlic, can’t wait to give them a try xo
Alison Corey
Hope you enjoy them! It’s so easy!
Carrie Robinson
Yum! What a great side dish idea! 🙂
Katie
Looks super good! Can’t wait to try it.
Cindy
Another air fryer recipe for the WIN! I LOVE my air fryer and I love carrots. So this was great for me. Even my kids like the carrots!
Erika
I love using my air fryer, and these carrots look so delicious!
Dannii
I really need to use my air fryer more. I just make chips in it, but this looks delicious.