• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Air Fryer
  • About Me
  • Discounts
  • Contact Me

Healthful Blondie

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Air Fryer
  • About Me
  • Discounts
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • About Me
    • Discounts
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » By Meal » Sides

    Published: September 7, 2022

    Air Fryer Baby Carrots

    5 from 5 votes
    Jump to Recipe Pin Print
    Air Fryer Baby Carrots
    Air Fryer Baby Carrots
    Air Fryer Baby Carrots

    10-minute tender and crispy air fryer baby carrots are the best healthy side dish for any dinner – even for picky eaters! Made vegan and gluten-free with just 3 ingredients.

    serving bowl of air fryer baby carrots

    Tender and crispy air fryer baby carrots

    These air fryer baby carrots are tender, crispy, and so easy to make. The fresh baby carrots are tossed with a little olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then air fried until tender and golden. They are seriously a family favorite side dish!

    Add these delicious carrots as a side for any holiday dinner served alongside your favorite cornbread, mashed potatoes, and pasta, or serve them with any main course. I simply love these airy fryer baby carrots with grilled chicken or salmon.

    Anyways, this dish is the perfect way to sneak vegetables into your diet. They are healthy but taste so good. I even offer other flavor variations below: you can try maple cinnamon glazed, Asain-inspired, Italian, or balsamic glazed.

    Air fryer baby carrots are seriously delicious and easy to make.

    Why you’ll love this air fryer recipe

    • Air fryer baby carrots are made with three ingredients and are tender and crispy.
    • Quick and easy side dish for any meal.
    • Perfect for the holidays and to serve guests.
    • Air-fried and ready in under 10 minutes.
    • This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
    • Very customizable with lots of flavor variations below/
    • Try these air fryer green beans for another flavorful side dish!
    tender air fryer baby carrots with fresh parsley

    Ingredients & substitutions

    These air fryer baby carrots are made with three ingredients, plus salt, pepper, and fresh parsley to garnish. Here is a list of all the ingredients, so you are prepared – scroll to the bottom of this blog post to see the entire recipe card with measurements.

    • Baby Carrots: You need 1 pound. You can use orange, yellow, or tri-colored ones.
    • Olive Oil: To help crispen the carrots up as we air fry them. You can substitute extra-virgin olive oil with melted unsalted butter or avocado oil too.
    • Garlic Powder: For that classic garlic flavor. Don’t use freshly minced garlic because it will burn in the air fryer. You can substitute this with onion powder if needed, but the flavor will change.
    • Salt & Pepper: For flavor.
    • Parsley: For a fresh and bright garnish. You can also use rosemary.

    Kitchen tools required

    You only need a few kitchen utensils to make these crispy air fryers baby carrots. Clean-up is so easy! Here is a list:

    • Air Fryer
    • Small mixing bowl
    • Tongs
    • Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon and 1 Tablespoon.
    all ingredients in small bowls labeled

    How to make air fryer baby carrots

    Air frying is the easiest and fastest way to prepare tender and crispy baby carrots. Roasting carrots can take between 20 – 30 minutes, but air frying them only takes 10 minutes. Here are step-by-step directions and pictures for visual reference:

    Step 1:

    First, preheat your air fryer to 380°F and lightly grease the basket with nonstick olive oil spray.

    Step 2:

    Next, pat the baby carrots dry with paper towels. This is an important step!

    patting baby carrots dry with a paper towel

    Step 3:

    Then, toss the carrots in a mixing bowl with olive oil OR melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

    baby carrots in mixing bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic

    Step 4:

    Finally, add to preheated air fryer and air fry for a total of 10 – 12 minutes. Shake the basket at the 5-minute mark to ensure they are cooking evenly.

    Serve immediately, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley; enjoy!

    seasoned baby carrots in air fryer basket before cooking

    Taste & texture

    These air fryer baby carrots are seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper. They are garlicky, flavorful, and bright with the added fresh parsley. It truly has the best flavor and makes for an easy meal prep side dish.

    The texture of these carrots is tender and crisp. They are slightly charred on the outside but soft on the inside. Don’t worry they are NOT mushy.

    Expert tips & tricks

    Here are my expert cooking tips for making the perfect air fryer baby carrots:

    Pat the baby carrots dry. Seems silly, I know. But you MUST do this because if you don’t, the carrots may get mushy from all the excess liquid.

    Shake the basket at the 5-minute mark. Every air fryer is different, so I recommend shaking the baby carrots around at the 5-minute mark to ensure they are cooking evenly.

    Don’t skip out on the olive oil. You only need one tablespoon, and it is super important. The olive oil helps crispen up the carrots as they air fry while also making them tender.

    Make ahead. You can easily meal prep this recipe since it creates four servings. Air fryer baby carrots keep for 4 – 5 days in the refrigerator.

    crispy baby carrots in air fryer basket after cooking

    Air fryer carrot flavor variations

    Here are a few air fryer baby carrot flavor variations to spice things up if you are feeling more adventurous!

    Asain-Inspired. Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce, 1/2 a teaspoon of sesame oil, and garnish with sesame seeds. Don’t add extra salt since soy sauce is already salty.

    Balsamic Glazed. Drizzle and toss the air fryer carrots in balsamic glaze.

    Italian. Sprinkle 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese on top of the baby carrots after air frying them.

    Cinnamon Maple Glazed. Add one tablespoon of pure maple syrup along with the olive oil. Remove the garlic powder, and replace it with 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon.

    Rosemary. Instead of fresh parsley, use freshly chopped up rosemary!

    What to serve with baby carrots

    Air fryer baby carrots go well with so many dishes! Here are a few of my favorites:

    • Greek Yogurt Chicken
    • Juiciest Grilled Turkey Burgers
    • Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Bites
    • Air Fryer Orange Chicken
    • Blackened Salmon with Mango Salsa
    • No-Bean Veggie Burger
    • Balsamic Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts
    air fried carrots in a bowl

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use tri-colored baby carrots?

    Yes, you can use any variety of baby carrots for this recipe, including tri-colored ones.

    Do I need to use nonstick spray?

    Since these baby carrots are tossed in olive oil, you don’t need to spray your air fryer with nonstick spray. However, I always recommend it just to be safe.

    Are carrots low fodmap?

    Yes, carrots are a low FODMAP food.

    Why is this recipe healthy?

    Baby carrots are a great healthy side dish. This recipe only uses healthy and simple ingredients, there is no added sugar, and they are vegan. Plus, carrots are packed with vitamin A and vitamin C.

    Do they keep well for meal prep?

    Air fryer baby carrots are a great option for meal prep. You can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days and serve them with your favorite main dish.

    What temperature should I air fry carrots?

    You should air fry baby carrots at 380 degrees Fahrenheit.

    How long should I air fry carrots at 380°F?

    You should air fry baby carrots for 10 to 12 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit.

    How to store and reheat leftovers:

    Storing: Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    Reheating: You can reheat baby carrots in an air fryer or microwave. For best results, reheat in an air fryer at 350ºF for 3 – 6 minutes until warm and crisp. If you are in a rush, you can microwave them for 30 – 45 seconds until warm.

    close up of tender garlic air fryer baby carrots

    If you loved this recipe, try these next!

    • Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
    • Air Fryer Green Beans
    • Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Hash Browns

    Did you make this recipe?

    If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

    Air Fryer Baby Carrots

    Air Fryer Baby Carrots

    10-minute tender and crispy air fryer baby carrots are the perfect healthy side dish for any dinner – even for picky eaters! Made vegan and gluten-free with just 3 ingredients.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 12 mins
    Serving 4 servings

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb. bag of baby carrots
    • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil or melted unsalted butter
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp ground black pepper
    • Garnish: chopped fresh parsley

    Instructions

    • Preheat your air fryer to 380°F and lightly grease the basket with non-stick olive oil spray.
    • Pat the baby carrots dry with paper towels. This is important!
    • Then toss the carrots in a mixing bowl with olive oil OR melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
    • Add to preheated air fryer and air fry for a total of 10 – 12 minutes. Shake the basket at the 5-minute mark to ensure they are cooking evenly.
    • Serve immediately garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley; enjoy!

    Notes

    Olive Oil: You can use melted unsalted butter, avocado oil, or coconut oil.
    Garlic: I don’t recommend using freshly minced garlic because it can burn in the air fryer.
    Rosemary: Instead of fresh parsley, use freshly chopped up rosemary!
    Storing: Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    Reheating: You can reheat baby carrots in an air fryer or microwave. For best results, reheat in an air fryer at 350ºF for 3 – 6 minutes until warm and crisp. If you are in a rush, you can microwave them for 30 – 45 seconds until warm.
    Asain-Inspired. Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce, 1/2 a teaspoon of sesame oil, and garnish with sesame seeds. Don’t add extra salt since soy sauce is already salty.
    Balsamic Glazed. Drizzle and toss the air fryer carrots in balsamic glaze.
    Italian. Sprinkle 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese on top of the baby carrots after air frying them.
    Cinnamon Maple Glazed. Add 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup along with the olive oil. Remove the garlic powder, and replace it with 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon.
    Nutritional information below is calculated for a serving side of 1/2 cup of baby carrots. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 379mg | Potassium: 277mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 15639IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course Side, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Healthy
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Please leave a comment and star rating on this post and tag @HealthfulBlondie on Instagram & hashtag it #healthfulblondie!

    I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. In full disclosure, by purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!

    Sharing is caring!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Tati, founder and creator of Healthful Blondie

    I’m Tati, a foodie, recipe developer, and blogger based in Austin, Texas. I started Healthful Blondie in 2020 to celebrate life, health, and my passion for cooking and baking. If you are in search of “lightened-up,” healthier versions of classics, you are in the right spot! My recipes are easy to follow, simple, and super tasty.

    More about me →

    don't miss a thing!

    Recent recipes

    • Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
    • Air Fryer Home Fries
    • Air Fryer Buttermilk Biscuits
    • Strawberry Brownies
    • Fluffy Microwave Baked Oats
    • Air Fryer Broccolini

    Footer

    Recipes

    Recipe Index
    Mains
    Breakfast
    Snacks
    Desserts
    ---
    Privacy

    Featured in

    Well + Good
    Women's Health Magazine
    FeedFeed
    POPSUGAR Fitness
    BuzzFeed

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook