Dehydrating Carrots: Air Fryer Settings For Best Results

Air fryers are incredibly versatile kitchen appliances that can be used for dehydration. Dehydrating carrots in an air fryer takes between 3 and 15 hours, depending on the desired texture and the air fryer model. Before dehydration, it is recommended to blanch the carrots by boiling them for a few minutes and then immediately putting them in ice water. This process helps protect against loss of colour, texture, and flavour, and ensures that the carrots will last for at least a year.

How to season air fryer carrots

To season your air fryer carrots, you can go for either a sweet or savoury flavour profile.

For sweet carrots, you will need carrots, butter, brown sugar, and salt. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon if you like. First, wash and peel the carrots, then chop them into 1-inch chunks. Place them in a large bowl and pour melted butter, brown sugar, and salt over the carrots. Stir until the carrots are fully coated. Transfer the carrots to an oven-safe bowl that fits in your air fryer and cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway.

For savoury carrots, you will need carrots, olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also use any other seasoning mix you like. First, wash and peel the carrots, then place them in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika. Place the carrots in the air fryer basket and cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, shaking halfway through. Once done, top with parsley and parmesan cheese. Salt and pepper to taste.

• Honey glaze: Toss the carrots with honey, minced garlic, melted butter, cinnamon, and ground ginger.
• Warm Moroccan spice: Add garlic powder, ground cumin, and coriander.
• Garlic and herbs: Add garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, dried parsley, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
• Fresh herbs: Try fresh thyme, parsley, and rosemary.
• Spices: Try garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or taco seasoning.

How to cook carrots in an air fryer

Ingredients

You will need:

• Carrots
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Honey (optional)
• Butter (optional)
• Italian seasoning (optional)
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Paprika (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Parsley (optional)

Method

• Wash, peel, and chop the carrots into 1-inch pieces.
• In a large bowl, combine the carrots with your choice of seasonings and/or olive oil, butter, or honey. Toss until the carrots are fully coated.
• Place the carrots in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer.
• Air fry at 375°F for 7 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• For a more tender texture, increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• If desired, drizzle with a little extra honey before serving.

Tips

• Cut the carrots into evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
• Preheat the air fryer before adding the carrots to speed up the cooking process.
• Use butter or oil to prevent the carrots from drying out during cooking.
• Cook the carrots in a single layer to allow for even circulation of hot air.
• If you don't have a large enough bowl to fit in your air fryer, you can use foil paper in the bottom of the basket to catch any drippings.
• You can also cook baby carrots, but larger carrots have better flavour when roasted.
• The size of your carrots will determine the cooking time, so check on them halfway through to see if they are done to your liking.

Storage

• Store leftover carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Cooked carrots can be frozen for up to 9 months.
• To reheat, place the carrots in the air fryer at 350°F for 4 to 7 minutes, or until warmed through.

How to store leftover air fryer carrots

Storing leftover air fryer carrots is simple. If you want to store them for the week, place them in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will keep for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, you can either air fry for a few minutes at 360°F or microwave for 30 seconds.

You can also freeze leftover air fryer carrots for later. Use a freezer-safe bag or container and store them for up to 3 months. Remember to let them thaw in the fridge the night before you plan to reheat and eat them.

How to reheat carrots in an air fryer

If you have leftover carrots and want to reheat them in an air fryer, follow these simple steps:

• Set your air fryer to 350°F.
• Place the carrots in the air fryer basket.
• Reheat for 3 to 7 minutes, or until the carrots are warmed through.

You can reheat plain carrots or carrots that have been seasoned or cooked in a sauce. If you are reheating frozen carrots, add a few minutes to the cooking time.

If you are cooking a larger quantity of carrots, you may need to reheat them in batches to ensure even heating.

How long to cook carrots in an air fryer

Air fryer carrots are a quick and easy way to cook this popular vegetable. Depending on the size of your carrots, the temperature you cook at, and whether you are cooking them in a sweet or savoury glaze, the cooking time will vary.

Savoury Carrots

For a savoury carrot dish, you will need:

• Carrots
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Parsley
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper

Wash and peel the carrots, then place them in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika. Place the carrots in the air fryer basket and cook at 380°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Once cooked, top with parsley and parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Sweet Carrots

For a sweet carrot dish, you will need:

• Carrots
• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Salt
• Cinnamon (optional)

Wash and peel the carrots, then chop them into 1-inch chunks. Place the carrots in a large bowl and pour over the melted butter, brown sugar, and salt. Stir until the carrots are fully coated. Transfer the carrots to an oven-safe bowl that will fit in your air fryer. Cook at 380°F for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through.

General Cooking Times

Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your carrots and your air fryer, but generally, you can expect sweet carrots to take between 20-25 minutes, and savoury carrots to take between 15-20 minutes. Smaller carrots will cook faster, while larger carrots will take longer. It's a good idea to check on your carrots halfway through cooking to ensure they are cooked to your liking.

Tips

• You can use baby carrots, but larger carrots have a better flavour when roasted.
• If you are using frozen carrots, add a few minutes to the cooking time and season halfway through.
• Always dry your carrots completely after rinsing, as wet carrots can become mushy.
• Don't forget to shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Cut your carrots into equal-sized pieces so that they cook evenly.

Frequently asked questions