This Air Fryer Carrots Recipe is seasoned beautifully and cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Air Fryer Carrots fresh out of the air fryer.
chelsea

author’s note

My Secret To The Perfect Carrots!

One of the first things I ever cooked in my air fryer was a batch of carrots. I had a bag of baby carrots in the fridge, tossed them with a little oil and seasoning, and hoped for the best. To my surprise, they disappeared almost instantly. My kids kept coming back for more, and I knew I had to keep working on the recipe.

After a few rounds of testing, I realized something important. When I used large carrots and cut them into pieces, they had more surface area. That meant more seasoning stuck to them and more edges got nicely caramelized in the air fryer. The flavor was better, the texture was better, and the whole batch just tasted more like a true roasted side dish.

Now this Air Fryer Carrots Recipe is the one I make all the time. It’s simple, reliable, and works for everything from busy weeknights to holiday dinners.

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All the ingredients in this recipe prepped out for easy preparation.

Air Fryer Carrots Recipe Ingredients

IngredientTips or Swaps
CarrotsUse large, fresh carrots for the best flavor and texture. Cut evenly so they cook at the same rate.
Olive oilHelps the carrots crisp and keeps the seasoning in place. Avocado oil works too.
PaprikaSmoked paprika adds depth. Sweet paprika keeps the flavor more mild.
Garlic powderLoads of flavor without any mincing.
Fresh herbs (optional)Parsley or thyme adds color and a fresh finish. Totally optional but really nice.
The veggie being chopped and prepped out into cups.

How To Make This Air Fryer Carrots Recipe

  1. Prep carrots: Peel, then slice diagonally to get 3 cups.
  2. Season: Toss with olive oil and spices.
  3. Arrange: Single layer in basket.
  4. Air fry: 8-13 mins at 400°F, shake halfway through.
  5. Serve: Hot, with herbs for garnish if desired.
Oil and seasonings being added to the carrots and it all being air fried for these air fryer carrots.

Serve These Carrots With:

Storage

  • Cool completely: Let this air fryer carrots recipe cool to room temp before storing.
  • Airtight container: Transfer to an airtight container.
  • Refrigerate: Store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheat: For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F until warm and crispy.

More Air Fryer Recipes:

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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Carrots

Seasoned to perfection, with a crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful interior, Air Fryer Carrots make the perfect side.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 cups sliced carrots see note 1
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil see note 2
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Optional garnish optional, see note 3

Instructions 

  • Peel carrots and diagonally slice into 1-inch pieces. Measure to ensure you have 3 full cups.
  • Add the carrots to a separate bowl (not in the air fryer basket). Drizzle with oil and add salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Toss thoroughly for an even coating.
  • Preheat the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 4 minutes. Arrange the seasoned carrots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they do not overlap. If you have too many carrots to fit in a single layer, cook in batches.
  • Air fry for 8–13 minutes. Halfway through, shake the basket and rearrange the carrots into a single layer again for even cooking.
  • Carrots are done when they are tender inside with a slightly crisp and charred exterior. Due to variance in air fryer models, if the carrots aren’t sufficiently crispy after 13 minutes, continue air frying and check every 1–2 minutes.
  • Season with additional salt to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or thyme if desired.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: It’s important not to reduce the quantity of olive oil, as it ensures the carrots achieve the desired crispiness.
Note 2: For uniform cooking, make sure to slice the carrots into equally sized pieces.
Note 3: My favorite garnishes are 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme.
Storage: Let carrots cool to room temperature and store in an air-tight container, refrigerated, for 3–4 days. Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F until warm and crispy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 514mg | Potassium: 366mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 18945IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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1 Comment

  1. Chelsea says:

    5 stars
    As Chelseas sister I tried these Air Fryer Carrots at her house for the first time but since then I make them every week. They’re the best snack and even my kids love them! We dip them in ketchup and they’re always a hit!