Perfectly Roasted Air Fryer Carrots
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Caramelized, tender and sweet, air fryer carrots are the perfect side with any dinner entree, and they take just 25 minutes to make! I’ll show you how to air fry baby carrots that are tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. They’re perfectly sweet and so delicious!
2025 Update: This recipe is still a family favorite, and has been updated to simplify the instructions and include extra cooking tips for our readers. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Air Fryer Carrots Recipe
Air fryer baby carrots may become your new favorite roasted vegetable side dish. It tastes great with almost any protein, from pineapple pork chops to BBQ chicken thighs and even Air Fryer Tilapia .
Plus, carrots contain vitamin A, beta-carotene, and fiber!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Air frying takes less time than oven roasting, and it doesn’t heat up your kitchen.
- Less prep work. Of course, you can use full-size carrots, but baby carrots are ready to go – just dry them off a bit and pop them right into the air fryer basket!
- Kid-friendly. Air frying carrots brings out their sweetness and because they’re caramelized, they’re almost crispy on the outside. Kids usually prefer veggies that aren’t overly mushy.
Plus, we usually have baby carrots in the fridge for a quick snack. We like to dip them into sriracha hummus, whipped feta or our ranch dressing!
If you didn’t know, I am *quite* obsessed with my air fryer. I use it to make everything from boiled eggs and pork tenderloin to tortilla chips, and more!
Learn how to cook anything in your air fryer with our free cook time chart!
My Air Fryer Cooking Chart makes it super easy to know just how long to cook your favorite veggies and proteins to perfection.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Ever wonder what the difference is between baby carrots and regular ones? It’s quite simple! Baby carrots are pre-peeled and pre-cut to about 2-3 inches in length. If you want to skip the chopping and prep work, this recipe is for you.
You’ll need:
- carrots: For this recipe, you’ll need one pound of either baby or full size carrots.
- olive oil or avocado oil: These two oils typically work the best with an air fryer. They are both great at high heat cooking, and are much healthier options than other neutral-flavored oils.
- salt: use flaky sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
- black pepper: ground black pepper perfectly seasons the carrots
- other seasonings: feel free to add 1 teaspoon of your favorite seasoning. Tasty options are Italian seasoning, fresh dill, or Ranch seasoning.
Recipe Variations
- Honey glazed carrots: Toss the carrots with the oil, salt and pepper, plus 3 tablespoons of honey and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon before cooking.
- Garlic parmesan carrots: Toss with the oil, salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons bread crumbs.
- Balsamic carrots: Drizzle 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze after carrots are cooked.
How to Air Fry Carrots
Other than drying off your veggies, there isn’t much to this recipe. It’s one of the reasons that I like it so much!
If you want to use full size carrots, you will need to wash and peel them, then cut them into similar size pieces (either matchsticks or rounds) so they cook evenly.
- While your air fryer is preheating, toss the carrots with oil and seasoning.
- Add them to the air fryer basket, and arrange them in a single layer.
- Halfway through the cook time, shake the basket or use a plastic spatula to turn the carrots over. This allows the pieces to cook and caramelize evenly.
- Test the air fried carrots for doneness. This is also when you will taste test and add more seasoning if they need it.
Tips for Success
Here are my suggestions for creating perfectly caramelized veggies.
- To use whole carrots: Wash and peel the carrots. Lay the veggies on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut each carrot in half from top to bottom, then cut each long piece in to several 1-inch long pieces.
- To use frozen carrots: Cook directly from frozen (without defrosting) and follow the same instructions. Add 2 minutes of cooking time if necessary.
- Dry your veggies well so they caramelize. If they are too wet, they will steam rather than roast.
- Preheat your air fryer. Just as we roast vegetables in a preheated oven, you also need to preheat an air fryer. If your model doesn't have a preheat setting, simply turn it on and wait about 5 minutes before adding the food.
- Don't overcrowd the basket. The carrots should be in a single layer, with enough room for the air to circulate. Cook in batches if you want to make larger quantities.
Storing and Freezing
To store leftovers: After they cool, transfer them to an airtight container. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, per USDA.
Freezing cooked carrots is possible, but keep in mind that because they absorb water as they thaw out, the consistency will be a bit mushy.
Remember to clean your air fryer as soon as possible after cooking. I have written a post on exactly how to clean your air fryer.
Recipe FAQ
Carrots contain about 9 net carbs per cup, so they're not the best choice for those following a Keto way of eating. However, they're a better option than some starchy vegetables like potatoes or corn. They'd likely fit with a lower carb way of eating in moderate amounts.
You sure can! You'll want to wash, peel and cut your carrots into matchstick size pieces or half inch rounds before roasting. Check your time about half way through to make sure your carrots aren't over cooking.
Other Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
- Broccoli. Get perfectly crispy broccoli, using either fresh or frozen broccoli!
- Garlicky Mushrooms. Garlicky and oh so delicious.
- Beets. Earthy, sweet air fried beets are beautifully caramelized and delicious!
- Zucchini and Onions. A great way to use up your extra garden goodies in the summer.
- Green Beans. Kids and grown-ups love this recipe!
I'd love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Perfect Air Fryer Carrots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound baby carrots *see Notes for using whole carrots
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Meanwhile, use a few paper towels or a kitchen towel to pat the baby carrots dry. *If using whole carrots, wash and peel them, then use a knife to cut them into pieces about 1 inch long.Toss the carrots in the oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the veggies in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 23-25 minutes, stopping halfway to turn the carrots over or to shake the basket.
- Use a fork to pierce one carrot to test for doneness. Remove when the fork easily slides through. Transfer the carrots to a serving bowl or platter, season to taste, and enjoy.
Notes
- To use whole carrots: Wash and peel the carrots. Lay the veggies on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut each carrot in half from top to bottom, then cut each long piece in to several 1-inch long pieces.
- To cook in the oven: To roast baby carrots in the oven, follow step 1, then spread the carrots on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), and roast for 35-40 minutes, stopping halfway to flip the carrots with a spatula.
- Storing leftovers: Transfer to an airtight container or bag and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Honey Glazed Sweet Carrots: Toss the carrots with the oil, salt and pepper, plus 3 tablespoons of honey and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon before cooking.
- Garlic Parmesan Carrots: Toss with the oil, salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons bread crumbs.
