These air fryer carrot fries are good enough to convert any cooked carrot hater. All you need are a few simple ingredients and you have an easy vegan side dish or healthy snack to satisfy that salt craving!
If you are like me and have grown up turning your head at cooked carrots any chance you got, I am here to convert you. Believe me, I never would have thought I would be here raving about how good carrots are, but these air fryer carrot fries are GAME CHANGING.
The air fryer is truly a magical kitchen gadget and it's converted me on every veggies from zucchini to brussel sprouts. The crisp is unmatched!
I promise if you are a cooked carrot hater these will change your mind. Dip them in my Sriracha mayo or homemade Big Mac sauce, and you will be wanting them with every single meal.
Why This Recipe is Dietitian Approved
- Easy. Seriously, all you need is 20 minutes and seven simple ingredients and you'll be snacking on this crispy snack!
- Packed with favour. Perfectly spiced with just the right amount of chili powder and natural sweetness from the carrots... I promise these are not the cooked carrots you remember as a child.
- Nutritious. Full of fibre and vitamin A, these crispy carrot fries are an amazing alternative to your traditional fries.
Ingredients
- Carrots
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Ground cumin
- Red pepper flakes
- Chili powder
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Cornstarch
Dipping sauce:
- Sriracha
- Mayonnaise
- Greek yogurt
- Lime juice
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
Peel and cut your carrots into ¼ inch sticks. It helps to cut the carrots into 2 inch pieces and then quarter them vertically.
To a large mixing bowl add carrot sticks and cornstarch and toss to coat. Once fully coated, add olive oil and spices and toss again.
Arrange carrot fries in a single layer along the bottom of your air fryer basket (this may need to be done in batches to not overcrowd the air fryer). Air fry for about 16-20 minutes shaking the basket halfway.
Whisk together Sriracha mayo and serve with carrot fries.
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
To make vegan: This recipe is naturally vegan. Pair with a vegan dip of choice.
To make nut-free: This recipe is naturally nut-free.
Play around with the spices you add. For a sweet spin, swap the savory spices for cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.
Equipment
Storage
These air fryer carrot fries are best eaten when fresh. If you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.. To reheat, air fry for about 5-7 minutes at 400F.
Top Tip
Ensure the carrots are in a single layer in your basket and try not to overcrowd the air fryer. I know waiting is the WORST, but I promise making these air fryer carrot fries in batches is worth it!
Eat them as soon as possible for best results. Over time they will loser their crispiness as they cool.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! They may not get as crispy, but it's a good option if you don't have an air fryer. Spread the carrot sticks evenly on a prepared baking tray and roast at 425F for about 25-30 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through cooking. Tip: to get the carrot fries super crispy, try broiling them for a few minutes at the end!
Yes, but the cook time will vary slightly depending on the size of the carrots. For baby carrots thicker than ¼ inch, I would recommend air frying for about 20 minutes. For baby carrots thinner than ¼ inch, air fry for about 12-15 minutes. Individual cook times will vary depending on your air fryer model.
I love them with chicken nuggets, sandwiches or sloppy Joes, or paired with any protein and carb. In the fall, try adding them to a harvest salad!
It's the perfect combo of cornstarch, a little oil, and the air fryer! Carrots are a less watery vegetable too, so less sogginess overall.
More Air Fryer Veggie Recipes
I'm on a mission to convert vegetable haters into vegetable lovers one air fryer veggie recipe at a time.
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make air fryer carrot fries, don't forget to tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment below!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Carrot Fries
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots (about 3 large carrots) peeled and cut into ¼ inch sticks
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1.5 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- dried red pepper flakes to taste
- salt and black pepper to taste
Sriracha Yogurt Mayo
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (juice of ½ a lime)
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Peel and cut your carrots into ¼ inch sticks. It helps to cut the carrots into 2 inch pieces and then quarter them vertically.
- To a large mixing bowl add carrot sticks and cornstarch and toss to coat. Once fully coated, add olive oil and spices and toss again.
- Arrange carrot fries in a single layer along the bottom of your air fryer basket (this may need to be done in batches to not overcrowd the air fryer). Air fry for about 16-20 minutes shaking the basket halfway.
Sriracha yogurt mayo
- In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Adjust seasoning to desired taste.
jfunk says
I'm making the sauce with sour cream instead of greek yogurt. That is what I had on hand. I've done this before and it was still good.
Les says
Why do mine turn out with white corn starch and yours are dark orange? What did I do wrong?
Nicole Addison says
Hi Les, it seems like your carrots may not be cooked, typically the cornstarch will mix into the oil and lose the white colours once the carrots are cooked and air fried!
Dana Robertson says
These were so good! Easy to make and lots of flavor.