Carrot Fries in Air Fryer
These Air Fryer Carrot Fries are a delicious and nutritious alternative to regular potato fries. Just like Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips, they make a quick side dish, a vegan appetizer, or a healthy snack, and they’re super easy to prepare.
Please continue scrolling down to find the recipe card below, which contains the complete list of ingredients with measurements, detailed recipe instructions, additional notes, and nutritional information.
Air frying carrots is a refreshing twist on classic fries and a fun way to add more veggies to your family’s diet. The air fryer crisps the carrot fries using much less oil than deep frying, making them a lighter but still tasty option.
Carrots add a natural sweetness and vibrant color to any dish. But they’re more than just good-looking—they’re packed with nutrients like beta-carotene, fiber, and antioxidants, so you’re getting something both delicious and nutritious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Carrots – Pick medium-sized fresh and firm carrots. Peel and cut them into fry-like shapes. Make sure they all are cut in similar sizes for even cooking.
- Olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil is my favorite choice for these air fryer carrot fries.
- Seasoning – I use a simple seasoning mixture of salt, black pepper, paprika, and cumin powder.
How to Make Air Fry Carrot Fries?
Important Note
Before you start cooking, note that times may differ among air fryers. I develop my recipes using a Cosori 6.8 air fryer. If you’re using a different air fryer, view my recipes as a general guide and tweak the cooking time—add a bit more or cook slightly less as needed.
Making these extremely delicious Air Fryer Carrot Fries is very easy. However, you need to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results:
Prepare the Carrots
Start by peeling the carrots to remove the outer skin. Then, cut them into fry-like shapes. You can go with thin sticks for extra crispiness, or go slightly thicker as I do if you like more bite. Try to keep the pieces uniform in size so they cook evenly.
Once your carrot fries are cut, toss them in a mixing bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. I also add cumin and paprika but you can get creative with your spices! Want a smoky flavor? Add smoked paprika. Prefer a garlicky taste? Throw in some garlic powder. The key is not to overdo it—just enough to complement the natural sweetness of the carrots.
Air Fry the Carrot Fries
Set your air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Place the seasoned carrots in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
Quick Tip!
You don’t want to overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent them from crisping up properly.
Cook the fries for 15-20 minutes, depending on how crispy you want your carrot fries. Make sure to shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure all sides of the fries get crispy. Depending on how thick you cut your fries, you might need a little more or less time. Keep an eye on them toward the end to prevent burning.
Expert Tips From the Chef
- If you like extra crispy carrot fries, cut your carrots thin! Thinner carrot fries will naturally become crispier than thicker ones.
- Pat the carrots dry with a paper towel before adding oil. Any moisture will prevent crisping.
- Arrange your carrots in a single layer. Overloading the air fryer leads to steaming rather than crisping.
- If your fries aren’t crispy enough after 15 minutes, give them an extra 2-3 minutes, and check frequently to avoid burning.
Seasoning Variations for Carrot Fries
One of the best things about carrot fries is how versatile they are. You can easily change up the seasonings to match your mood or the meal you’re serving.
Add a dash of cayenne pepper or chili powder for fries with a spicy edge. Pair with a cooling yogurt dip to balance the heat.
Mix in some dried oregano, basil, and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese after cooking. These fries are perfect alongside a pasta dish or as a snack on their own.
If you prefer more fragrant flavors, toss the fries in a blend of thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder. These pair beautifully with roasted meats or a grilled fish.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Carrot Fries
Carrot fries are a great side dish or an appetiser, but they can also shine as the star of the plate. Here are a few ways to serve them:
Dips
Carrot fries practically beg for a good dip. Some great options include:
- Spicy ketchup
- Tahini or hummus for a Mediterranean twist
- Honey mustard
Main Course Pairings
Carrot fries work well as a side with:
- Tantuni – Turkish beef wraps
- Fish tacos
Salad Topping
For something different, use air-fried carrot sticks as a topping for salads. They add a crunchy texture and a hint of sweetness to green salads, grain bowls, or even pasta salads.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (though that rarely happens), carrot fries can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. They’ll regain their crispiness in no time.
While you can freeze carrot fries, they may lose some of their crisp texture when reheated. If you do freeze them, let the fries cool completely first, then store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. To reheat, use the air fryer at a lower temperature (around 320°F) for 5-7 minutes to gradually thaw and crisp them back up.
Recipe FAQs
Make sure the carrot fries are spread out in a single layer in the air fryer basket, and avoid overcrowding.
Yes, but whole carrots cut into fries tend to cook more evenly. If using baby carrots, make sure they are uniform in size.
Yes! Preheat your oven to 200C / 390F. Arrange your carrot fries into a single layer on a lined baking tray, leaving a small space in between each of the fries. Cook them for 20-25 mins, or until they are lightly charred around the edges.
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Please give us a five-star rating and leave a comment below.
I hope you enjoy the process of preparing these delicious vegan Air Fryer Carrot Fries just as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂
Bon appétit!
Carrot Fries in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 medium carrots
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cumin powder
Instructions
- Start by peeling the carrots to remove the outer skin. Then, cut them into fry-like shapes. You can go with thin sticks for extra crispiness, or go slightly thicker as I do if you like more bite. Try to keep the pieces uniform in size so they cook evenly.
- Once your carrot fries are cut, toss them in a mixing bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. I also add cumin and paprika but you can get creative with your spices! Want a smoky flavor? Add smoked paprika. Prefer a garlicky taste? Throw in some garlic powder. The key is not to overdo it—just enough to complement the natural sweetness of the carrots.
- Set your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- Place the seasoned carrots in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You don’t want to overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent them from crisping up properly. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Cook the fries for 15-20 minutes, depending on how crispy you want your carrot fries. Make sure to shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure all sides of the fries get crispy. Depending on how thick you cut your fries, you might need a little more or less time. Keep an eye on them toward the end to prevent burning.
Notes
- If you like extra crispy carrot fries, cut your carrots thin! Thinner carrot fries will naturally become crispier than thicker ones.
- Pat the carrots dry with a paper towel before adding oil. Any moisture will prevent crisping.
- Arrange your carrots in a single layer. Overloading the air fryer leads to steaming rather than crisping.
- If your fries aren’t crispy enough after 15 minutes, give them an extra 2-3 minutes, and check frequently to avoid burning.