Packed with sweet and earthy flavors — along with a vibrant color to boot — carrots are one of the most versatile vegetable sides. We all have our go-to methods of cooking this veggie, from roasting to sautéing to steaming them, but surprisingly, there’s yet another way to enjoy carrots: air-fried. The air fryer works wonders for turning raw carrots into a soft and caramelized veggie in half the time it takes to roast them. The best part? You don’t have to boil the carrots beforehand, saving you a step when you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table. Here’s how to make tender and flavorful carrots in your air fryer so they become your new go-to weeknight side dish!
Air frying versus roasting carrots
Cooking carrots in the air fryer and oven will produce similarly delicious results. That’s because both methods rely on high heat, which causes the natural sugars in carrots to caramelize so you end up with a sweeter-tasting vegetable. Those high temps also create the perfect firm, yet tender texture that’s a far cry from any mushy carrots you might have had.
However, the big difference lies in the timing: Air fryers use circulating heat that distribute the hot air much faster than ovens. Plus, air frying carrots doesn’t require parboiling (ie, “partially boiling”) them, a five-minute step done before roasting to begin softening the veggie. Instead, you can slice and season the carrots while the air fryer is preheating, then place them in the appliance to cook evenly.
Bonus: Air frying makes cleanup a breeze. Simply line the basket with parchment paper to prevent the carrots from sticking — it eliminates the need to scrub the surface afterwards.
The ideal temperature for air frying vegetables like carrots
To achieve fully browned carrots in a short amount of time, First for Women Food Editor Charles Grayauskie suggests air frying them at 400°F. The exact cook time will vary based on the size of the carrots. However, it typically takes around 12 minutes for baby carrots and whole carrots that are cut into 1½-inch pieces. This is much less than the usual 20- to 30-minute cook time for roasting carrots in the oven, yet it yields equally delicious results.
How to make air-fryer carrots
Charles shares a simple recipe for Air-Fried Carrots that will make them the star of any meal! (Click through for tips on how to reheat roasted vegetables as they can be used to crisp up leftover air fried carrots.)
Air-Fried Carrots
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. baby carrots or whole, peeled carrots cut into 1½-inch pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 to 3 Tbs. olive or avocado oil
Directions:
- Active: 10 mins
- Total time: 26 mins
- Yield: 3 to 4 servings
4 additional flavor options for air-fried carrots
For mouthwatering air-fried carrots, Charles encourages you to add other seasonings beyond salt and pepper. Start these with four options to maximize the veggie’s taste.
Keep reading for more speedy air fryer recipes!
These Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs Are Smoky, Crunchy — And Oh, So Easy in an Air Fryer
Are Air Fryer Grapes the New Jelly? I Put the Recipe to the Test
These ‘Lazy’ Air-Fryer Cinnamon Rolls Are Rich, Indulgent — And Ready in 13 Minutes
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