Perfectly Roasted Carrots: Air Fryer Magic In 15 Minutes

Air fryer carrots are a quick, healthy, and delicious way to cook this popular vegetable. They are golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside, and can be ready in as little as 10 minutes. This simple side dish only requires a few ingredients – carrots, oil, and salt and pepper to taste. You can also add honey, Italian seasoning, cinnamon, cayenne, or paprika for extra flavour.

How to cook carrots in an air fryer

Ingredients

You will need:

• Carrots
• Oil (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or another high smoke point oil)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, parsley, cumin, cinnamon, chilli, Italian seasoning)
• Honey (optional)
• Butter (optional)

Method

• First, peel your carrots and cut them into your desired shape. You can cut them into 2-inch chunks, slice them into thin sticks, or cut them diagonally.
• Place the carrots in a bowl and coat them with oil and your chosen seasonings. Toss the carrots until they are well coated.
• Lightly grease the air fryer basket or tray with spray oil.
• Arrange the carrots in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray, making sure they do not overlap.
• Set your air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C) and cook for 6 minutes.
• Open the air fryer, flip each carrot or give the basket a shake, and cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the carrots are golden brown with crispy, caramelized edges.
• Taste and add more salt if desired, and season with fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, or thyme.

Tips

• For a sweet version of this recipe, coat the carrots with melted butter, brown sugar, and salt before cooking. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon if you like.
• For a savory version, toss the carrots with olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika before cooking, and top with Parmesan cheese and parsley when they are done.
• Baby carrots are easier to prepare as they don't need peeling or slicing, but larger carrots have a better flavor when roasted.
• Carrots should be cut into equal-sized pieces so that they cook evenly.
• You can add a handful of panko breadcrumbs during the last 2 minutes of cooking for a crispy crust.
• To cut back on oil, use a cooking spray directly on the carrots instead of drizzling oil over them.
• Carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 9 months.

How to store leftover air fryer carrots

Air fryer carrots are a delicious and healthy side dish, but what do you do with the leftovers? Here are some tips to ensure your leftover air fryer carrots stay fresh and tasty:

Storing in the Fridge

Leftover air fryer carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keeping them in an airtight container will help maintain their freshness and prevent them from drying out.

Reheating

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover carrots, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 360°F for a few minutes or in the microwave for 30 seconds until they're warmed through.

Freezing

If you have a large batch of leftover carrots and want to store them for later, you can freeze them! Use a freezer-safe bag or container and store them for up to 3 months. To prepare them for freezing, let them cool completely, then transfer them to the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Things to Note

• It is recommended to consume leftover carrots within 3-5 days for optimal freshness and taste.
• Freezing carrots may affect their texture, so it's best to use frozen carrots in soups or stews where texture is less important.
• Carrots are sensitive to ethylene gas, which can cause them to turn bitter. Store them away from fruits like pears and apples, which produce this gas.

By following these simple storage tips, you can enjoy your air fryer carrots for a few extra days without compromising on taste and quality!

How to reheat carrots in the air fryer

If you have leftover roasted carrots, you can easily reheat them in an air fryer. This method will ensure your carrots are warmed through while also retaining their crisp texture.

Steps to Reheat Carrots in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
• Place the carrots in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, ensuring they have space around them and are not overlapping.
• Reheat for 3-7 minutes, until the carrots are warmed through. The exact time will depend on the quantity of carrots and your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Once warmed to your liking, remove the carrots from the air fryer and serve.

Tips for Reheating Carrots in an Air Fryer:

• It is best to reheat only the amount of carrots you plan to eat, as this will ensure they heat through evenly and retain their texture.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket or tray. If you have a large quantity of carrots to reheat, consider doing so in batches.
• If your carrots seem dry, you can lightly coat them with a small amount of oil or butter before reheating.
• If you prefer your carrots with some extra glaze, you can drizzle them with honey or another sweet glaze of your choice before reheating.

Storing Leftover Carrots:

Leftover roasted carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. They can also be frozen for up to three months. However, freezing may affect their texture, so it is recommended to use frozen carrots in soups or stews where crunch is less important.

How long to cook carrots in the air fryer

Air fryer carrots are a quick, easy, and healthy side dish. They take less time to cook than oven-roasted carrots and are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Ingredients

You will need:

• Carrots
• Oil (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or another high smoke point oil)
• Salt and pepper
• Seasoning of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, parsley, Italian seasoning, cinnamon, cayenne, cumin, coriander, chili, or honey)
• Optional extras: butter, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, fresh herbs

Instructions

First, peel and cut your carrots into the desired shape. You can cut them into 2-inch chunks or slice them thinner into "French-fry" sticks. Baby carrots can also be used and sliced in half lengthwise.

Place the carrots in a bowl and coat them with oil and your chosen seasoning. Toss until they are well coated.

Lightly grease the air fryer basket or tray with spray oil. Arrange the carrots in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap.

Set your air fryer to "air crisp" or "air fry" mode at between 375-400°F (190-200°C) for 6 minutes. Then, flip each carrot or give the basket a shake, and air fry for another 4-5 minutes, until they are golden brown with crispy, caramelized edges.

Taste and add a little more salt if desired, and season with fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, or thyme.

Tips

• For even cooking, cut the carrots into equal-sized pieces and turn them over halfway through cooking so that both sides cook evenly.
• Carrots will start to soften at around 183-184°F, so keep an eye on them from the 5-minute mark onwards to ensure they don't overcook.
• Baby carrots will cook faster than larger carrots, so check on them after 10 minutes to ensure they don't overcook.
• For a roasted flavor, add a touch of balsamic glaze or a squeeze of lemon juice before air frying.
• To cut back on oil, use a cooking spray directly on the carrots.
• For a crispy crust, add a handful of panko breadcrumbs during the last 2 minutes of air frying.
• For a sweeter flavor, use coconut oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, Chinese Five Spice, nutmeg, or cardamom.
• For a savory flavor, use cumin and coriander powder with salt and pepper.
• For a sweet and spicy kick, use honey and chili.

Storage

Air fryer roasted carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 9 months. However, freezing may affect the texture, so it is not recommended unless you plan to use the carrots in a soup or stew.

Reheating

To reheat, place the carrots in the air fryer basket and heat at 350°F for 3-7 minutes, until warmed through.

How to cut carrots for the air fryer

When preparing carrots for the air fryer, it is important to cut them into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. You can cut them into 2-inch chunks or slice them thinner into French-fry-shaped sticks. You can also use baby carrots, which don't require peeling or slicing, and simply slice them in half lengthwise. For larger carrots, aim for even-sized pieces.

If you want to get creative, you can cut the carrots diagonally, which adds a nice presentation to your dish. Regardless of the shape you choose, make sure the carrots are cut to a similar size so they cook evenly in the air fryer.

When placing the carrots in the air fryer basket or tray, arrange them in a single layer with some space between them to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.

Frequently asked questions