Air Fryer Carrots

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

This week my produce bin in the fridge was getting low. I needed to put some veggies on the table for dinner. My family is okay with eating raw veggies for snacks or at lunch, but when it comes to dinner they want them warm and dressed up!

I had a bag of organic baby carrots that were still good and decided to use the air fryer to make some magic.

Roasting veggies like squash in the air fryer takes about half the time as it does in the oven. You save the time needed 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!

👩‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

• Carrots are crispy on the outside, and warm and tender on the inside.
• Air frying takes half the time as oven roasting!
• Only 5 simple pantry and fresh ingredients needed!
• Serve with your favorite sauce, or enjoy simply seasoned with salt and pepper.
• Add more veggies to the air fryer with your carrots for a mixed vegetable side dish.
• This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, whole-30, and paleo.

🥕 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.

📋 Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: If you are using regular carrots, not baby carrots, be sure to wash and peel them. Slice the carrots into strips that will fit your air fryer basket, or roast whole if your air fryer basket is large enough. If using baby carrots you can skip this step.

Step 2: Combine the carrots, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. You can add any additional seasoning variations you desire at this time. Toss with clean hands until well combined.

Step 3: Place carrots in the air fryer in a single layer.

Step 4: Roast at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, remove the basket, and shake. Carrots are ready when they are slightly golden brown, crispy, and cooked all the way through.

Step 5: Serve warm and crispy as is or drizzled with your favorite sauce. My vegan tahini dressing pairs nicely.

❓ Recipe FAQS

💭 Expert Tips

• Fresh organic carrots will be even more flavorful! But use what you have!
• Omit the olive oil if trying to reduce fat or avoid oil all together. You could toss the carrots in a tablespoon of vegetable stock. But reduce salt if you use this method.
• Don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Place the carrots in a single layer so that they cook evenly.
• These carrots taste best served hot and crispy out of the air fryer.
• If you like your carrots softer, I like mine with a bit of a crunch, roast for an additional 5 minutes or until fork tender.

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