Air-Fried Carrot Fries: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryer carrot fries are a tasty, healthy snack that can be made in under 30 minutes. They are a great alternative to traditional fries, with less than half the calories and just as much potassium and other nutrients. This recipe is also gluten-free and can be made vegan. All you need are a few simple ingredients and an air fryer to make this delicious snack!

Choosing carrots

When making carrot fries, it's important to select the right carrots to ensure optimal taste and texture. Here are some tips to consider when choosing carrots for your air fryer carrot fries:

• Look for bright orange carrots: Bright orange carrots are generally considered the best choice as they are likely to have a better flavour and a more appealing appearance. Avoid carrots with too many blemishes or brown spots.
• Size and shape: Select carrots that are of medium to large size, with a uniform shape. This will make it easier to cut them into uniform fry shapes.
• Freshness: Choose fresh, firm carrots with a smooth surface. Avoid carrots that are wilted, soft, or have signs of sprouting.
• Organic or conventional: You can choose between organic and conventionally grown carrots. Organic carrots may offer some nutritional benefits and are grown without certain synthetic pesticides. However, both types are suitable for making carrot fries.
• Peeling: You may choose to peel the carrots or leave the skin on. Peeling the carrots will give you a more consistent texture and colour, but leaving the skin on is easier and retains more nutrients. If you decide to leave the skin on, make sure to wash the carrots thoroughly.
• Thickness: For crispier carrot fries, cut the carrots into thinner sticks, around ¼ inch thick. Thicker fries will take longer to cook and may turn out slightly less crispy.

By following these tips, you'll be able to choose the best carrots for making delicious and healthy air fryer carrot fries.

Preparing carrots

Preparing the carrots is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare the carrots for air fryer carrot fries:

Firstly, select fresh, whole carrots that are bright orange in colour with minimal blemishes or brown spots. This will ensure the best flavour and texture for your fries. Then, use a vegetable peeler to peel the carrots and slice off the ends. If the carrots are longer, cut them in half lengthwise.

Next, cut the carrots into fry shapes. For the perfect fry shape, cut each carrot half into quarters vertically to create four sticks from each half. The ideal thickness for the carrot fries is around ¼-inch thick, but you can go up to ½-inch thick if you prefer thicker fries. Thinner-cut fries will result in crispier fries and will also take less time to cook.

Once your carrots are cut into the desired fry shape, it's time to season them. You can get creative with the seasonings, but some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper, dried parsley, cumin, coriander, chili powder, or even Parmesan cheese. Simply toss the carrot fries in a large bowl with olive oil and your chosen seasonings until they are well coated. You can also add cornstarch to the carrots before adding the oil and spices to help the seasoning stick better and create an even crispier texture.

And that's it! Your carrots are now prepared and ready to be placed into the air fryer. Remember to arrange the carrot fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Enjoy your delicious and healthy air fryer carrot fries!

Seasoning carrots

Seasoning is an important step in making air fryer carrot fries. The right combination of spices can elevate the flavour of the dish and make it more enjoyable. Here are some tips and suggestions for seasoning carrots:

Choosing the Right Seasonings:

• Classic Seasonings: A simple yet effective combination is garlic powder, smoked paprika, and sea salt. This trio provides a savoury and slightly spicy kick to the carrots.
• Variety of Options: Feel free to experiment with other seasonings such as cracked black pepper, dried parsley, cumin, coriander, chili powder, or even Parmesan cheese. These options offer different flavour profiles, from earthy to spicy, allowing you to customise your carrot fries.
• Creative Combinations: For a unique twist, you can create Mexican-style, curried, or even ranch-flavoured carrot fries. Simply sprinkle popcorn seasonings, such as Mexican spice blend or ranch dressing mix, over the carrots before air frying.

Preparing the Seasoning:

• Mixing the Seasoning: Combine your chosen seasonings in a small bowl and mix well. This ensures that the flavours are evenly distributed and creates a uniform mixture to coat the carrots.
• Coating the Carrots: Drizzle olive oil or avocado oil over the carrot fries and toss to coat. Then, sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the oiled carrots and toss again to ensure an even coating. You can also add some cornstarch to the carrots before adding the oil and seasonings, which helps to create a crispier texture.

Customising Your Seasoning:

• Personal Preference: Adjust the amount of seasoning to suit your taste. If you prefer a lighter touch, use less seasoning, or add more if you like your carrot fries heavily seasoned.
• Spiciness: If you enjoy spicy food, increase the amount of chili powder, smoked paprika, or red pepper flakes in your seasoning mixture. This adds a nice kick to the carrot fries.
• Cheesiness: For cheese lovers, don't hold back on the Parmesan! You can also try using other cheeses, such as grated cheddar or mozzarella, to create a cheesy, savoury coating on your carrot fries.

Cooking carrots

Ingredients

• Carrots
• Olive oil
• Cornstarch (optional)
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Red pepper flakes
• Black pepper
• Greek yoghurt
• Sriracha
• Lime juice

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Peel and cut your carrots into ¼ inch sticks. It can help to cut the carrots into 2-inch pieces and then quarter them vertically.
• (Optional) Add the carrot sticks to a large mixing bowl and toss with cornstarch to coat.
• Add olive oil and spices to the mixing bowl and toss again.
• Place the carrot fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It may be necessary to cook the fries in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
• Air fry for 16-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• (Optional) Whisk together Greek yoghurt, Sriracha, and lime juice to make a dipping sauce.

Tips

• If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the carrot fries in the oven. Spread the carrots in an even layer on a baking tray and roast at 425°F for 25-30 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through.
• For crispier oven-cooked carrot fries, try broiling them for a few minutes at the end.
• Thinner-cut fries will be crispier and take less time to cook.
• If you're using baby carrots, adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the carrots. For baby carrots thicker than ¼ inch, air fry for about 20 minutes. For baby carrots thinner than ¼ inch, air fry for 12-15 minutes.

Serving carrots

Air fryer carrot fries are a healthy alternative to traditional fries and can be served as a side dish or a snack. They are best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply air fry for about 5-7 minutes at 400°F.

These carrot fries pair well with a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:

• Enjoy them with a healthy burger, such as a turkey burger or a black bean burger.
• Serve them as a side dish with pizza, such as chickpea flour pizza or chicken pizza bake.
• Pair them with a healthy salad, such as a beet and goat cheese salad, kale Caesar salad, or curry chicken salad.
• Serve them with sandwiches or wraps, such as chicken nuggets, sloppy Joes, or BLT chicken salad sandwiches.
• Add them to a harvest salad in the fall.

When serving carrot fries, consider providing a dipping sauce on the side. Some sauce ideas include:

• Sriracha mayo
• Ranch dressing
• Greek yogurt mixed with a bit of mustard and sugar-free ketchup
• Lemon juice, fresh parsley, and yogurt or mayo
• Sugar-free ketchup and Sriracha
• Crushed garlic with a bit of vinegar and spices
• Any pre-packaged dipping sauce for garlic Parmesan wings or fries

So, get creative and enjoy your healthy and delicious carrot fries!

Frequently asked questions