Air Fryer Baby Carrots: A Classic Side Dish

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These Air Fryer Baby Carrots are cooked simply in the air fryer with just olive oil and simple seasonings to make a sweet, easy, and delicious side dish.

Cooked baby carrots on a plate

Air fryer baby carrots are not just another side dish. They are so delicious when made in the air fryer, with a tender interior and slightly crisp edges. The sweetness of the carrots really comes out in just 10 minutes in the air fryer. So simple!

Sometimes, simplicity is the key to great flavors. With just a handful of ingredients, this recipe lets the natural sweetness of the carrots shine through. The air fryer crisps them to perfection, giving you a healthy side dish without the need for deep frying.

These carrots can be the star of any meal. Whether you’re pairing them with air fryer whole chicken, roast beef, or a thick pork chop, they add both color and texture. And the best part? You can play around with seasonings to match the theme of your meal.

Ingredients You Need

ingredients for air fryer baby carrots
  • Baby carrots – I always use a bag of baby carrots that have already been peeled and cleaned. Can’t get any easier than that.
  • Olive oil – You don’t need to use your super high-quality olive oil for this one.
  • Seasonings: We use a simple mix of just salt and ground black pepper. You can use any seasoning you like to jazz up these carrots.
  • Parsley or green onion – This is just for garnish. It’s optional.

Equipment Information

  • Air fryer: I use this 4-quart basket-style air fryer. It’s large enough to fit a meal for 4-6. But some things need more space in the air fryer basket, so they cook evenly.
  • Kitchen tongs: It’s very easy to remove food from your air fryer with kitchen tongs. I use these kitchen tongs that are silicon coated so they don’t scratch the interior.
ninja double air fryer

Ninja® Foodi®XL 2-Basket Air Fryer

  • 2 independent XL air fryer baskets
  • Integrated Foodi® Smart Thermometer
  • Cook 2 foods 2 ways that finish at the same time

How to Make Air Fryer Baby Carrots

Place the carrots in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. If you’re adding any additional seasonings, now is the time to do it. I wouldn’t recommend adding fresh garlic at this point though because it will likely burn and become quite bitter.

seasoned raw baby carrots

Toss the bowl to make sure all the carrots get coated equally.

Pour the carrots into the air fryer basket. There’s no need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe.

raw carrots in the air fryer basket

Air fry on 370°F for 10 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking. If your air fryer doesn’t have a 370°F setting, you can go with 375°F or the closest setting.

cooked carrots in the air fryer basket

Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

How to Store It

Leftover air-fried baby carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or oven to revive their crispiness.

They can also be frozen, if you want. Place them in the freezer for up to 2 months. They can be reheated from frozen in the air fryer.

Cooked baby carrots on a plate

Tips for Making the Best Baby Carrots

  • Try to use evenly sized baby carrots for uniform cooking.
  • Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if needed to ensure that the hot air circulates evenly.
  • Feel free to adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
  • If you like sweet baby carrots, you can add a sprinkling of brown sugar to the top, or drizzle on some honey or maple syrup.
  • Air fryers come in different wattages, which can affect their cooking power. You may need to cook your food more or less than I do, based on your wattage. Times and temps are a general guideline.
Cooked baby carrots on a plate

Seasonings You Might Add

  • For a Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
  • Herbaceous Flavors: Try rosemary, thyme, or dill for an earthy touch.
  • Citrus Zing: A sprinkle of lemon zest can brighten up the flavors.
  • Sweet Twist: A dash of honey or maple syrup adds a delicious sweet note.

The magic of the air fryer brings a new dimension to these baby carrots, turning them into a gourmet side dish with minimal effort. Give this recipe a try, and you might find yourself reaching for that air fryer more often than you think! Whether you keep it simple or jazz it up with your favorite seasonings, this recipe is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!

Cooked baby carrots on a plate

What to Serve with This Dish

There are so many options for main dishes to serve with this dish. You can make these all in the air fryer or in the oven, if you wish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you peel baby carrots before cooking?

No, the bags of baby carrots you get from the grocery store are already peeled and ready to eat.

Can I use frozen baby carrots in an air fryer?

Yes, you can use frozen baby carrots in an air fryer, but you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature. Frozen carrots will take longer to cook than fresh carrots, and you may need to increase the temperature slightly to ensure that they cook through.

How do I prevent air fryer baby carrots from sticking to the basket?

To prevent baby carrots from sticking to the air fryer basket, we toss them with oil and seasonings before cooking.

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Cooked baby carrots on a plate

Air Fryer Baby Carrots

These Air Fryer Baby Carrots are cooked simply in the air fryer with just olive oil and simple seasonings to make a sweet, easy, and delicious side dish.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 71 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound (454 g) baby carrots
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (0.1 g) parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Place the carrots in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
  • Pour the carrots into the air fryer basket.
  • Cook on 375°F for 12 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking.

All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.

Nutrition

Calories: 71kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 379mgPotassium: 271mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15640IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Carrots
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