Love vegetable air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer broccoli, air fryer zucchini, air fryer cauliflower, and air fryer brussels sprouts next. Cooked carrots can be quite hit or miss, but it all comes down to how you prepare them. My family loves oven-roasted carrots, so my air fryer carrots recipe has been a savior! Air frying the carrots gives this veggie a hybrid fried/roasted texture in a fraction of the time and with very little oil or butter. They make the perfect side dish, or I sometimes whip them up as carrot fries!
Why I love this recipe
Quick and easy. Add the ingredients, turn on the switch, and walk away. Your air-fried carrots will be ready in just 15 minutes. Healthier. I used to saute or roast carrots, which were still healthy but still needed some fat to cook. Not air frying, though. All we add is a drop of oil, and that is it! Easy to customize. I keep things simple with some flavor boosters, but I will also provide some other flavor combos my family adores. Works with ALL carrots. I like to change things up by using baby carrots, rainbow carrots, or Dutch carrots, and the results are identical!
Ingredients needed
Carrots. I find larger and thicker carrots work best, as you can cut them into equal-sized matchsticks more easily. Of course, if you use baby carrots, this isn’t an issue. While you can keep the skins on, I find them more tender if you peel them. Olive oil. Or any neutral-flavored oil. Salt and pepper. To taste. Parsley and parmesan cheese. To serve (my pictures look like it’s large flaked salt, but I promise you it’s parmesan cheese, haha!).
How to cook carrots in the air fryer
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Arman’s recipe tips
Always dry the carrots completely after rinsing and before you toss them in the air fryer for cooking. Wet carrots can become mushy and will not yield an entirely crispy exterior. Don’t forget to shake your air fryer basket when carrots are cooking to ensure they cook evenly. Chop your carrots into equal-sized matchsticks so they cook evenly and at the same time. Make air fryer carrot fries by chopping the carrots into a fry shape.
Storage instructions
To store: Put the leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Sweet and savory. Add one teaspoon of maple syrup and sprinkle some coarse brown sugar once cooked. Honey glazed. Once the carrots have been removed from the air fryer, drizzle some honey on top. Different spices. Try garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or taco seasoning. Fresh herbs. Like fresh thyme, parsley, and Rosemary.
To freeze: Place leftovers in a shallow container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Reheating: You can reheat them in the microwave, air fryer, or skillet.
Frequently asked questions
More vegetable sides to try
Sauteed brussels sprouts Microwave baked potato Air fryer red potatoes Roasted potatoes and carrots Spinach salad with warm bacon dressing Or any of my vegetable side recipes
Originally updated November 2023, updated and republished October 2024
