Air fryer carrot fries are a healthier alternative to traditional fries. If we’re talking about carbohydrates, carrots contain 50% fewer starch than potatoes.
A medium-sized serving of McDonald’s fries contains approximately 378 kilocalories, while a similar serving of carrot fries has around 200 calories, give or take.
These figures are estimates based on this recipe, but they illustrate the point that carrot fries are not only healthier and more nutritious but also delicious.
We have tried other fries alternatives like Air Fryer Zucchini Fries and Green Bean Fries, but when breadcrumbs are added, the calorie content increases to levels similar to regular McDonald’s fries.
So, if you’re aiming for a healthy option, it’s best to skip the breading mix.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Air Fryer Carrot Fries
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these tasty and healthy carrot French fries.
- Carrots
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
For the dipping sauce, if you prefer to keep it simple, any vegetable pairs wonderfully with ranch dip. Alternatively, you can also explore options like herb mayo, spicy mayo, or a classic fry sauce.
Recipe Video
How to Make Carrot Fries in the Air Fryer?
Air frying carrot fries is a straightforward process. Once you have sliced them into strips and seasoned them, it takes approximately 15 minutes or less to achieve a crispy texture in the air fryer.
Step 1: Slice the carrots into fry-sized strips
After washing and peeling your carrots, slice them into fry-sized strips, approximately 3 inches in length and half an inch in thickness.
💡 Pro Tip: Carrots will shrink by about half of their volume when roasted. Four medium carrots will only yield 2 servings of carrot fries.
If you want you can also use baby carrots to make this recipe.
Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400ºF (204ºC) and then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 3: Season the carrot sticks.
Meanwhile, season the carrot strips in a large mixing bowl. Begin by coating them with olive oil, and then add the seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until the carrot sticks are evenly covered.
Step 4: Air fry carrot fries for 14-16 minutes.
Once preheated, carefully add the seasoned carrot fries into the air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer for even cooking.
Air fry the carrot fries for 14-16 minutes or until they become tender and turn golden brown. Remember to shake them halfway through the cooking process.
✦ I used a 6-quart air fryer to test this recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Step 5: Prepare your dipping sauce
My personal favorite dip for carrot fries and sweet potato fries is spicy mayo. It’s a simple combination of kewpie mayo and a few drops of sriracha.
If you prefer a non-spicy option, you can go for the traditional fry dip, which is a mixture of ketchup and mayo.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy your air fried carrot fries!
Now, that’s how to make a perfectly roasted air fryer carrot fries!
Let it cool down for a few minutes then serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
These carrot fries make a fantastic appetizer, side dish, or even a healthy snack option. Whether you’re enjoying them at a gathering or a cozy night in, they are sure to be a hit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, carrot fries can take around 14-16 minutes to cook in an air fryer at a temperature of 400°F (200°C). However, please note that the cooking time for air frying carrot fries can vary depending on the thickness of the carrot strips, the amount of serving you are making and your specific type of air fryer.
To make carrot fries in an air fryer, start by slicing your carrots into ½-inch wide, 3-inch long sticks. You can choose to roast them as is or season them with olive oil, salt, pepper, or any desired seasonings before air frying. Cook the carrot fries in the air fryer for 14-16 minutes or until they turn golden and crispy.
Yes, you can air fry carrot fries without using oil. However, it’s important to note that the resulting texture may not be as crispy and golden brown as when using oil.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 4 carrots large
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Kewpie mayo
- 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce
Instructions
- Wash the carrots and peel them if desired. Then cut them into fry-sized strips, about ½-inch thick.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). If your air fryer has a capacity of 4 quarts or smaller, please see the note for more info.
- While preheating, season the carrot sticks. Start by transferring the fry-sized carrots to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil and toss until fully covered. Next, season them with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well until the carrot strips are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Air fry carrot fries for 14-16 minutes, or until tender and golden. Carefully add a single layer of the seasoned carrot sticks to the air fryer basket. Flip or shake them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning. Roast until they are golden and crispy.
- Prepare the spicy mayo dipping sauce by combining 2 tablespoons of Kewpie mayo and 2 teaspoons of sriracha sauce in a small bowl. If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add more sriracha according to your taste. Alternatively, if you don't enjoy spicy flavors, you can substitute the sriracha with ketchup to create a more traditional fry sauce.
- Once cooked, allow the air fryer carrot fries to cool down for a few minutes. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Notes
- For smaller air fryers (4-quart and below), reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C). They generate more heat because of the heating element’s proximity to the food.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 380°F (193°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- Carrots will shrink to about half their original volume when roasted, so keep in mind that 2 medium carrots will yield only a single serving of fries. Adjust accordingly.
- I used a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus to test the air fryer carrot fries recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
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