Air fryer carrots are a quick and nutritious side dish to complement any meal!
These little flavor bombs are so easy. Just a quick toss of oil, a sprinkle of my simple seasoning, and bam! They’re hot, ready, and cooked to perfection.
In just 25 minutes, you get a kid-approved and gourmet-worthy dish. Not only that, but these vibrant roots are insanely versatile.
They pair with everything from juicy burgers to roasted chicken to fresh salads. They’re special enough for your holiday ham and simple enough for weeknight dinners.
So forget overcrowding the oven and make air fryer carrots instead!
Ingredients
The secret to these air fryer carrots is in the seasonings. With my favorite blend, they go from basic to flavor-packed!
Here’s what you need for this recipe:
- Carrots – Peel and slice the carrots the same size. That way, they cook evenly.
- Olive Oil – This air fryer recipe calls for very little oil. Just use a quick splash to help the carrots crisp up nicely.
- Seasoning – Blend salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme. It’s simple and quick. And yet, this blend does wonders to enhance the natural sweetness of the carrots.
How to Make Carrots in Air Fryer
Say goodbye to roasted carrots and hello to air-fried! This nifty appliance is quick, efficient, and less messy. Plus, the carrots cook perfectly every time.
Just follow these steps:
1. Prep the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prep the carrots. Peel and cut the carrots into 3 to 4-inch sticks. Cut the sticks evenly and pat them dry.
3. Season the carrots. Toss the carrots with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and thyme.
4. Air fry. Arrange the carrots in the air fryer basket. Cook them for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket after 5 minutes.
5. Garnish. Top them with Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve them immediately, and enjoy!
Tips for Success
Depending on your air fryer, you may need to tweak the recipe slightly. Each appliance is a little different. So follow these tips for success:
- Keep your carrots consistent. Too thin, and they’ll burn. Too thick, and they’ll be too soft. So be sure to cut your carrots the same size for even cooking.
- Keep a close eye on them. Air fryers vary depending on the model, so cooking times may also vary. Check them halfway to see how much more time they need.
- Give them some breathing room. Stacking carrots and not giving them space will prevent them from cooking properly. Work in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
- Take a shortcut. I find peeling and cutting carrots yields the best results. But baby carrots work, too. Just adjust the cooking time. Also, pat them dry so they crisp nicely.
Recipe Variations
The sky’s the limit for air fryer carrot variations! You can use so many different seasonings and condiments that it never gets boring.
Just omit my seasoning and combine the cooked carrots with these flavor variations:
- Parmesan Garlic Carrots: Toss them with 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
- Honey Mustard Carrots: Mix them with 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
- Spicy Carrots: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Brown Sugar Carrots: Combine them with 1-2 teaspoons of brown sugar with the oil, salt, and pepper.
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover carrots keep well and are quick to reheat. So they make your meals even easier the next time.
Here’s how to store and reheat:
To Store: Place leftover carrots in an air-tight container. Enjoy them within 4 days.
To Freeze: Place the carrots in a freezer-friendly bag, label, and freeze. Frozen carrots will keep for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warm for the best consistency. You can also reheat them in the microwave.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer Carrots
4
servings10
minutes15
minutesJazz up your meals with these easy air fryer carrots! With a little oil and a simple seasoning, carrots transform into a tasty side dish everyone will love.
Ingredients
1 pound carrots (6-8 medium carrots)
1 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C).
- Peel and cut the carrots into 3-4 inch long chunks. Cut the chunks into thick, evenly-sized sticks and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a medium bowl, stir the olive oil with the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and thyme. Add the carrots and toss to coat.
- Arrange the carrots in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes. Shake the basket after 5 minutes.
- Check the carrots for doneness after 10 minutes. They should be fork-tender and crispy on the edges. (Thin sticks should be ready after 10 minutes, while thicker sticks need closer to 15 minutes).
- If using, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For sweet carrots, add 1-2 teaspoons of brown sugar with the oil, salt, and pepper. Omit the other seasonings.
- Cut the carrots as uniformly as possible for even cooking. Thin slices will come out crispy. Thick slices will be softer.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed to ensure they cook evenly.