10-minute tender and crispy air-fried baby carrots are the best healthy side dish for any dinner—even for picky eaters! They're made vegan and gluten-free with just three ingredients.
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 healthy cornbread, mashed sweet potatoes, and roasted butternut squash pasta, or serve them with any main course. I simply love these air fryer baby carrots with grilled Greek yogurt chicken or crispy salmon with pesto.
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
- 3 Ingredients: Air fryer baby carrots are made with three ingredients.
- Crispy: The carrots are tender and crispy.
- Easy To Make: Quick and easy side dish for any meal.
- Holiday Side Dish: Perfect for the holidays and to serve guests.
- 10-Minute Recipe: Air-fried and ready in under 10 minutes.
- Fits All Diets: This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
- Customizable: Very customizable with lots of flavor variations below.
- Try these air fryer green beans for another flavorful side dish!
Ingredients and 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. 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 as we air fry them, you can substitute extra-virgin olive oil with melted unsalted butter or avocado oil.
- Garlic Powder: For that classic garlic flavor, don't use freshly minced garlic, as it will burn in the air fryer. You can substitute 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 needed
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 Cups
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!
Step 3:
Then, toss the carrots in a mixing bowl with olive oil OR melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
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 your crispy air fryer baby carrots!
Taste & texture
These air fryer baby carrots are packed with flavor—seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper, then brightened up with fresh parsley. They’re garlicky and delicious, making them the perfect side dish for easy meal prep.
As for texture, they’re tender with a crisp outside. Slightly charred on the edges but soft on the inside. And don’t worry—no mushy carrots here!
Expert recipe tips
- Pat them dry! It sounds a bit odd, but trust me on this one. If you don't, the carrots can get soggy from all the extra moisture.
- Shake it up. At the 5-minute mark, give the basket a good shake. Every air fryer is a little different, so this helps the carrots cook evenly.
- Don't skimp on the olive oil. You only need a tablespoon, but it's key. The oil crisps the carrots while keeping them nice and tender.
- Make them ahead. This recipe makes four servings, so it's perfect for meal prep! Air fryer carrots stay fresh in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Air fryer carrot flavor variations
Feeling adventurous? Here are a few flavor twists to take your air fryer baby carrots to the next level:
- Asian-Inspired: Add 1-2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce, ½ teaspoon of sesame oil, and finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Skip the extra salt since the soy sauce has plenty of its own!
- Balsamic Glazed: After air frying, drizzle the carrots with balsamic glaze for a sweet and tangy finish.
- Italian: Top the hot carrots with ¼ cup of freshly grated parmesan for a cheesy, savory twist.
- Cinnamon Maple Glazed: Toss the carrots in 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup along with the olive oil. Swap out the garlic powder for ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to add a cozy, sweet-spiced flavor.
- Rosemary: For a more herby kick, swap the parsley with freshly chopped rosemary! It's earthy and fragrant—perfect for pairing with roasted carrots.
What to serve with baby carrots
Air fryer baby carrots go well with so many dishes! Here are a few of my favorites:
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, 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 cooked baby carrots:
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.
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
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
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!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Baby Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 lb. bag of baby carrots
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or melted unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon 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
Nutrition
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Shelly says
We like our Carrots a little more tender. I added an extra 4 minutes. The seasoning was spot on.