Air Fryer Carrots

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!

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

1. Wash and peel the carrots. Slice them into strips that will fit your air fryer basket.
2. Combine the carrots, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Toss with clean hands until well combined.
3. Place carrots in the air fryer in a single layer.
4. 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.
5. Serve warm and crispy as is or drizzled with your favorite sauce. My vegan tahini dressing pairs nicely.

❓ Recipe FAQS

💭 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.

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