Air Fryer Carrots
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These air fryer carrots are crisp on the outside, tender on the inside and perfectly caramelized. They cook up in under 15 minutes making for a quick and easy side dish.
I love cooking veggies in my air fryer! They cook up in less time than in the oven and always end up perfectly tender and caramelized. And these air fryer carrots are no exception!
I could eat a whole plate of these carrots myself as a snack with my vegan ranch dressing, but I love making them for a quick and easy side dish for dinner. They’re always a family favorite.
If you’re deciding between cooking methods, my roasted carrots are another great option, but the air fryer gives you that same caramelized texture in way less time.
Why I Love Air Fryer Carrots
- Quick and easy: These carrots cook in under 20 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
- Perfectly caramelized: The air fryer gives you those slightly crispy, golden edges without needing much oil.
- Naturally sweet: Carrots get even sweeter as they cook, so you don’t need much to make them taste amazing.
- Goes with everything: This is one of those sides I make all the time because it pairs well with just about any main dish.
“I made these for dinner last night and couldn’t stop snacking on them straight from the air fryer! They turned out perfectly tender with those crispy edges and were so easy to throw together.”
Ingredients Needed
- carrots – we’re using 2 large carrots for this recipe, which I recommend peeling, but you can leave them un-peeled if preferred.
- oil – a little goes a long way to help get the carrots a lovely crisp. I prefer to use either olive oil or avocado oil for the best results.
- sea salt + black pepper – simple seasonings that bring out the natural flavor.
Flavor Variations
Once you’ve made these once, it’s easy to switch up the flavor depending on what you’re in the mood for. Here are a few of my favorite ways to mix things up:
- Parmesan: Sprinkle on grated Parmesan halfway through cooking so it gets slightly crispy and golden.
- Spicy: Add chili powder, cayenne or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Sweet: Drizzle with maple syrup or honey before cooking for a lightly caramelized finish.
- Herby: Toss with dried herbs like rosemary, thyme or dill for extra flavor.
- Garlic + butter: Swap the oil for melted butter and add a little garlic powder for a richer, savory option.
How to Make Air Fryer Carrots
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, toss the carrot strips with oil, salt and pepper, making sure they’re evenly coated.
Step 2: Place the seasoned carrot strips in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes.
Brittany’s Tips
- Cut evenly: Try to cut the carrots into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Thinner pieces will get more caramelized edges.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Give the carrots space so they roast instead of steam. Cook in batches if needed.
- Shake halfway through: This helps the carrots cook evenly and get those golden edges on all sides.
- Adjust cook time as needed: Depending on how thick your carrots are and your air fryer model, you may need to add a few extra minutes.
How to Serve
Whether you’re serving these as a side dish or just snacking on them straight from the basket, here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy air fryer carrots:
- With a protein: These pair perfectly with simple mains like grilled chicken, grilled salmon or steak. The natural sweetness balances everything out so well.
- In a bowl: Add them to a buddha bowl, chicken protein bowl or roasted harvest bowl for a little extra flavor and texture.
- In a salad: Toss them into a salad for a warm, hearty element. I love them in this roasted vegetable salad or swapped in for the squash in this butternut squash salad.
- With a dip: I’ll often snack on these with hummus, ranch, or my whipped feta dip—it makes them feel a little more fun and satisfying.
How to Store
Refrigerator: Store leftover carrots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes or in the oven until warmed through. You can microwave them, but they’ll be softer.
Frequently Asked Questions
While peeling is recommended for a smoother texture, you can leave the skin on if you wash and scrub the carrots thoroughly. Some even prefer the rustic taste and look of unpeeled carrots.
Absolutely! Just adjust the cooking time since they might cook faster due to their smaller size.
The carrots won’t be “crispy” like a chip, but they should have a nice roasted texture. If they’re too soft, consider extending the cooking time by a couple of minutes.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Easy Air Fryer Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 large carrots
- ½ Tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Peel carrots and using a knife, cut them lengthwise in half and then in half again. You should end up with strips that are about 2-3” long. You want the pieces to be pretty similar in size so they cook evenly and you don’t want the pieces too small because the carrots will shrink when roasting.2 large carrots
- Toss carrots in a bowl with the oil, salt, pepper½ Tablespoon avocado or olive oil, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Transfer to air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, tossing carrots halfway, until carrots are tender with a few brown spots.
Notes
- Storage: Leftover air fryer carrots can be stored in an airtight sealed container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Place carrots in the air fryer in a single layer and cook at 375°F for 1-2 minutes. You can also reheat them in a toaster oven, regular oven, or microwave.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Equipment
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
I made these for dinner last night and couldn’t stop snacking on them straight from the air fryer! They turned out perfectly tender with those crispy edges and were so easy to throw together.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Lidia! Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!