Carrot Fries (Oven, Air Fryer)

Carrot fries have to be the most fun way to eat carrots. I’m just saying! Who doesn’t love dipping a perfectly salted fry into ketchup or your favorite creamy dip! The ultimate side dish, these carrot fries can be made in the oven or air fryer for a meal everyone will love.

Carrot fries go with just about any recipe, but would be super fun as a side to burgers, sandwiches or chicken fingers. If you love turning veggies into fries, you should also try Air Fryer Rutabaga Fries, Cajun Parsnip Fries or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges.

Why these carrot fries are the best

• Carrot fries are baked in the oven or air fryer and not fried! These are a fun alternative to sweet potato fries and are low in calories but full of fiber, vitamins and beta-carotene.
• Great for snacking (don’t be surprised when they disappear quickly)
• Perfect for any occasion – Who can say no to fries! These are perfect for weeknight dinners or for parties with friends! Great for dipping too!
• No peeling required, simple to make and are done in about 30 minutes in the oven or 20 minutes in the air fryer.
• A healthy recipe that your kids are sure to love! This recipe is naturally Whole30, vegan, and gluten-free.

Ingredients

• Carrots – I like to use organic carrots because you usually don’t have to peel them. Be sure to wash them though.
• Avocado oil or olive oil – you want some oil to help the carrots get a bit crispy on the outside. If you are 100% against using oil you could omit this.
• Spices: Salt, chili powder, cinnamon – the combination of chili powder and cinnamon gives these a sweet, savory and salty flavor profile that I just love.
• Arrowroot powder, tapioca flour or corn starch (optional) – this helps create a little crust on the outside of the carrot fries, making them crunchier when baked or air fried..

How to cut carrots into fries

• Step 1: Start by cutting the top and bottom off the carrot and then dividing in half to create a top and a bottom.

• Step 2: Take one of the halves created, and cut that in half from top to bottom longwise, creating two long half moon shaped carrot pieces.

• Step 3: Take one of the half moon shaped pieces and cut it either one or two times (depending on how thick it is) from top to bottom longwise to create carrot spears.

• Step 4: Repeat this process with the rest of the carrot. I normally  get between 8 and 12 “fries”

Tip: You can use baby carrots cut in half (will make fries sweeter) or crinkle-cut but cook time may vary according to the size and thickness.

How to make carrot fries in the oven

• Once the carrots are cut down into fries, add a silicone mat or parchment paper to a rimmed cookie sheet.
• Spray the silicone mat/parchment with non-stick spray and add the carrots.
• Sprinkle the seasoning over the carrots evenly and toss with clean hands or a large spoon.
• After tossing the carrots, be sure to try to re-distribute them on the cookie sheet so they can cook evenly.
• Bake in the oven in high heat (425F-450F) for 20-30 minutes, flipping at least one time.

How to make carrot fries in the air fryer

Cut the carrots into fries

Season the carrot fries: Add them to a bowl, pour avocado oil (or olive oil) over the carrots with spices and arrowroot powder. Mix well (with tongs or use your hands).

Cook the carrots: Add the carrots to the air fryer basket and cook 390F for 16 minutes, shaking the basket regularly (every 3-4 minutes) after the first 8 minutes pass.

Other spices to use

If you wanted to try other seasoning, you could replace the chili powder + cinnamon with:

• Curry powder: 1 tsp. curry powder
• Ranch Seasoning: 2-3 tsp. ranch seasoning
• Cajun seasoning: 1 tsp. cajun seasoning
• Sweet: 1 tsp Garam masala + 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Spicy: 1 tsp. ancho chili powder (or chili powder) + 1/2 tsp cumin + 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Common questions

How to make crispy carrot fries

To make extra crispy carrot fries, toss in 1 tbsp. of arrowroot or tapioca starch before you season and cook the fries.

Do you need to peel the carrots

If you use organic carrots, you will not have to peel them. Make sure to wash before baking. If using baby carrots, make sure to cut in half.

Note: If you find the carrots have a thick coating (especially if they are getting old), you may decide to peel them.

What to serve with carrot fries

• Air Fryer Nuggets because who doesn’t love chicken nuggets and fries!
• 5 Ingredient Black Bean Burgers – the black bean burgers have a smoky flavor that pair so well with these.
• Serve as a snack with your favorite dip. Some of my favorites are homemade ketchup, dairy free ranch dressing or vegan chipotle mayo.

Can you prep these roasted carrot fries in advance?

Once cooked, these roasted carrot fries are really best eaten immediately. However, you can prep the carrots in advance by cutting them into fries. Cut the carrots down into fries and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days before cooking. Wait to add the seasoning until right before cooking.

Storing leftovers

• Fridge: Store leftovers for up to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container. They will tend to get a bit soft and a little soggy. Be sure to reheat in the air fryer or oven for best results.
• Freezer: These technically can be frozen but I don’t recommend it. If you choose to freeze them, bake the fries as instructed and store in an airtight freezer bag. Store for 2 months in the freezer. Be sure to defrost at least 1-2 hours in the fridge before reheating. Add an extra 5 minutes to reheating times.
• To reheat, simply take out of the fridge or freezer and reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or cook in a preheated 400F oven for 10 minutes from the fridge.

Substitutions

• Carrots- You can also use parsnips instead to get a similar texture, but the flavor will be different! You can substitute baby carrots for traditional carrots, but the fries will have a sweeter flavor.
• Avocado Oil- Can use Coconut oil or ghee. Make sure to use a quality oil or cooking spray that has a high yield temperature. 
• Chili Powder- You can use whatever your favorite seasoning is! Some other great ideas include
  • Cajun Seasoning
  • Ranch Seasoning
  • Curry Powder

What you need to make this recipe

• Extra Large Baking Sheet
• Silicone Mat or Parchment Paper
• Sharp Chef’s Knife