Air Fryer Baby Carrots

Name: Air Fryer Baby Carrots
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds baby carrots; ½ teaspoon salt (course kosher); ½ teaspoon ground pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Parsley for garnish

If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious side dish that’s easy to prepare, look no further than Air Fryer Baby Carrots. These baby carrots are savory and sweet and don’t require a lot of prep time.

white bowl filled with air fryer baby carrots with a air fryer in the background

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This air fryer recipe is a great option when you need a healthy side dish that the whole family will enjoy. Plus, it only takes a few minutes of prep work to make this easy vegetable side dish.

If you are looking for a delicious side dish that’s perfect for holiday meals and potlucks this Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Carrots are a great option!

Ingredients

bottles of olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley, garlic powder, and a white bowl filled with raw carrots

baby carrots
salt
ground pepper
garlic powder
olive oil
parsley – optional

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make These Air Fryer Baby Carrots

This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make these delicious carrots. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

raw carrots in a large white bowl with oil and seasonings being seasoned on

Add the carrots to a large bowl and pour the olive oil over top. Add the seasonings and toss to coat.

cooked baby carrots in an air fryer basket with gars of seasoning in the background

Air fry in a 375 degree preheated air fryer for 15 minutes or until fork tender.

Hint: I give my air fryer basket a shake halfway through the cooking time. This helps the carrots cook evenly.

Variations

Looking for variation options for those carrots? Check out the options:

Honey Glazed Carrots: Toss your baby carrots with olive oil and honey before placing them in the air fryer. Top them off with a sprinkle of salt and fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavor.
Garlic and Parmesan Carrots: Coat your baby carrots in a mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, and grated parmesan cheese before placing them in the air fryer. Cook for 15 – 19 minutes or until tender and golden brown.
Spicy Roasted Carrots: Toss your baby carrots with a blend of spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper, along with olive oil. Cook for 15 – 19 minutes, or until they’re crisp and tender. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top for some added creaminess.

If you love air fryer recipes you may also enjoy this Air Fryer Tri Tip recipe.

Equipment

6 quart or larger air fryer
large mixing bowl

three baby carrots on a sliver fork with the rest in a white bowl in a background

Storage

Leftovers – To store the leftover air fryer baby carrots, let them cool down to room temperature. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to label the container or bag with the date of storage so you can keep track of how long they have been in the fridge.

Reheating – To reheat leftover air fryer baby carrots, preheat your oven to 350°F. Arrange the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until they’re heated through. You could also reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees f for 2-3 minutes or until warm all the way through.

Pro Tips

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: To ensure that your baby carrots cook evenly, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between the carrots so that the hot air can circulate around them.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheating the air fryer for a few minutes will help ensure that the carrots cook evenly and become crispy on the outside.
Use regular carrots: If you want to use regular carrots instead peel and slice the carrots then season them. You may need to reduce the cooking time, so start with 8 minutes for air fryer carrots.
Use a different oil: If you are not a fan of olive oil you can use any type of oil that your family enjoys. Just make sure that it has a high smoke point.
Cooking times: Your air fryer model may have a different cooking time than mine, so be sure to check your carrots at about 12 minutes to see if they are done.

FAQ

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.

Do baby carrots get soft when cooked?

Yes, baby carrots do get soft when cooked, but the level of softness really depends on how long you cook them. If you overcook them, they can become mushy. However, if properly cooked, they should be tender but still have a little bit of bite to them.

How many cooked baby carrots per person?

The serving size and the number of cooked baby carrots per person really depend on the recipe, type of meal, and portion size. As a general rule of thumb, you can aim for about 1/2 to 1 cup of cooked baby carrots per person as a side dish. This is roughly about 5 to 10 baby carrots per person depending on the size of the carrot.

Should baby carrots be wet or dry?

It’s better to dry the baby carrots before cooking them in the air fryer. Moisture can cause the carrots to steam instead of getting crispy on the outside. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that the baby carrots are completely dry before tossing them with oil and seasoning and placing them in the air fryer basket. You can simply pat the baby carrots dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel before cooking.

If you are a fan of air fryer cooking you may also enjoy these recipes:

Serve With

Here are a few of my favorite main dishes to serve with this air fryer baby carrots recipe:

Recipe Card

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