Tender, crisp, and perfectly seasoned Air Fryer Carrots! You only need a few ingredients to make this easy, 20-minute, budget-friendly, and nutritious side dish. Now offering two flavor variations: savory and sweet! Plus an option for baby carrots too 🙂
This recipe was originally published on November 17, 2024. It was updated with new cooking variations (sweet, frozen, and baby carrots) on July 31, 2025.
I love carrots because they are common, affordable, and seemingly humble, but when cooked with the correct techniques, they turn into flavorful, caramelized powerhouses! This air fryer carrots recipe is my new favorite way to enjoy them. They’re an easy-to-make, downright tasty side dish, easily transformed with my savory or sweet seasoning variations.
This carrot air fryer recipe is simple and accessible enough for everyday weeknights but flavorful and impressive, perfect for Sunday supper and dinner parties. I’m even planning on making it for Thanksgiving this year!
For more healthy carrot recipes, check out my Roasted Beets and Carrots, Gochujang Oven Roasted Carrots, and Carrot Top Pesto.
Ingredients
First things, first, you will need 1 pound of whole carrots. Orange, rainbow, or other colors all work! Scrub, trim, and cut the carrots in half lengthwise before seasoning them. You can also use carrot coins, baby carrots, or frozen carrots.
Next, choose your seasoning variation: savory or sweet! Need some help? Opt for savory for earthy, herbal, and peppery caramelized carrots. Choose sweet if you’re in the mood for sweet glazed carrots, similar to what your mom or grandmother used to make!
Option 1: Savory
Oil: Choose olive or avocado oil if possible. These healthy oils offer savory richness, complementing the sweetness of the air fried carrots while preventing them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Seasonings: You will need garlic powder, dried oregano, and cumin powder. For the freshest flavor, always use spices with a good expiration date. Sea or kosher salt enhances the flavors, and pepper adds a touch of spice!
Option 2: Sweet
Butter: I keep with my plant-based roots and use vegan butter. Not dairy-free or vegan? Simply use dairy butter. Melted coconut oil is also super tasty!
Maple Syrup: Two tablespoons of pure maple syrup make the carrots sweet and cozy, enhancing their caramelized flavor. If needed, swap agave syrup or honey (if not plant-based/vegan).
Miso: A touch of savory umami brings the sweet and buttery flavors to life, making this my (not-so) secret ingredient. I recommend light (white) miso for mellow savoriness. This ingredient is optional.
Salt: Just a touch amplifies all the flavors.
How to Make Air Fryer Carrots (Savory or Sweet)
Though both seasoning options are easy and quick, they differ slightly. Once you’ve trimmed the carrots, follow the cooking directions for your chosen option.
- Prepare the carrots. Rinse and scrub them well, or peel. Trim the ends and cut the carrots in half lengthwise. You can keep them long, or cut them shorter like I did.
Savory
- Oil carrots. Place the cut carrots in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the oil over the vegetables and toss to coat.
- Season. Sprinkle the spices over the carrots and toss them again until evenly covered.
- Place in the air fryer. Spread the carrots in the air fryer basket in one even layer, leaving a bit of space between them so there is room for the hot air to circulate. If there isn’t enough room, you may need to cook them in batches.
- Air fry. Air fry at 350°F for 15 minutes or until you can easily pierce the carrots with a fork. Air fry for a few more minutes if needed. Serve immediately.
Sweet
- Season carrots. Combine the melted butter, maple syrup, miso (optional) and salt in a small bowl, and stir until creamy. Pour it over the carrots in a mixing bowl, and toss to coat.
- Air fry. Transfer the seasoned carrots to an air fryer-safe bowl that fits into the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15 minutes, until fork-tender. Add a few extra minutes of cooking time as needed.
- Serve. Transfer the carrots to a serving bowl or platter. Pour any cooking juices over them and serve hot!
Jenné’s Recipe Pro-Tips
- Scrub the carrots well. Rinse and scrub them thoroughly with a vegetable scrub brush or clean toothbrush. This removes the dirt and debris without peeling off the carrot skin, which contains a lot of nutrition.
- Cut them into even-sized pieces. Ensure even roasting by cutting the carrots into similar sizes. If some are larger than others, cut them into quarters.
- Leave room between the carrots. The carrots should be spread in an even layer in the air fryer to caramelize and cook properly. If they are packed in, the carrots can become soggy or mushy. If needed, cook them in batches and keep freshly cooked carrots in an oven preheated to 200°F until serving.
- Air fry carrots until fork-tender. You will know they are done when you can easily pierce them with a fork. If they are still firm at the end of the 15 minutes, add cooking time in 2-3 minute increments.
Using Baby or Frozen Carrots
Don’t have fresh or whole carrots? No problem! Use baby or frozen carrots:
- Air fryer baby carrots. These pre-trimmed carrots make for super easy prep! Cooking time is the same as for whole carrots. However, they should be dried with a paper towel or kitchen towel before seasoning and cooking. See images below––I used rainbow baby carrots that I found at Trader Joe’s.
- Frozen carrots. Another option for quick prep! Use carrot slices or coins; season and cook them as directed, adding an extra minute or two of cooking time if needed.
Recipe Variations
Want to explore even more seasoning variations? I got you! Oil the carrots as directed for the savory variation and try any of these air fried carrots recipe variations:
- Essential Seasonings: Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper for simple but delicious air fryer roasted carrots.
- Sweet Heat: For smoky, spicy carrots, season with 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. If desired, add maple syrup (cooking the carrots in an air fryer-safe bowl)!
- Italian: For Mediterranean-style roasted carrots in the air fryer, sprinkle the carrots with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning. Drizzle the hot carrots with balsamic glaze before serving.
- Lemon Pepper: For a fresh citrus twist on this air fry carrots recipe, follow the savory seasoning variation, swapping 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest for the cumin powder.
- Cheesy: Add rich savoriness to the carrots by seasoning them with 1-2 teaspoons of nutritional yeast before cooking, or sprinkle them with a few tablespoons of grated vegan parmesan before serving.
If desired, you can use either the savory or sweet seasoning blend on any combination of your favorite root vegetables, such as butternut squash, parsnips, rutabaga, sweet potatoes, or a combination.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the carrots hot, immediately after air frying, as a versatile side dish to go with everyday dinners, Sunday suppers, and your favorite main dishes, such as:
I also love adding them to Buddha Bowls, Lentil Salad, Kale Salad, and even Pasta Salad.
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration: Leftovers keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing:Â For longer storage, place the roasted carrots in a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months. Defrost them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 300°F for 3-5 minutes or in the microwave on medium heat until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you do not need to peel the carrots before air frying them. You can peel them if desired, but I prefer to keep the skin on because of its nutritional value. Thoroughly rinse and scrub them before cutting to remove the debris and dirt commonly found on carrot skin.
Cook halved carrots and baby carrots in the air fryer for 15 minutes or until fork-tender. Larger carrots may need more time. Baby carrots only need 8-10 minutes if they are halved.
Yes, you can double or triple this recipe as desired, though you will likely need to cook them in batches if your air fryer isn’t large enough to accommodate them in a single, spaced-out layer. If cooking in batches, keep the cooked carrots warm in a 200°F oven while roasting the rest.
More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Savory
Drizzle the oil over the carrots and toss to coat. Sprinkle the spices over the carrots and toss them again until evenly covered.
Spread the carrots in one even layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a bit of space between them so there is room for the hot air to circulate. If there isn’t enough room, you may need to cook the carrots in batches.
Air fry at 350°F for 15 minutes or until the carrots are fork-tender. Add a couple more minutes if needed. Serve immediately.
Sweet
In a small bowl combine the melted butter, maple syrup, miso (optional), and salt. Pour over the carrots in a mixing bowl, and toss to coat.
Transfer the seasoned carrots to an air fryer-safe bowl that fits into the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15 minutes, until fork-tender. Add a few extra minutes of cooking time as needed.
Transfer the carrots to a serving bowl. Pour the cooking juices over them and serve hot!
- Refrigeration: Leftovers keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing:Â For longer storage, place the roasted carrots in a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months. Defrost them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 300°F for 3-5 minutes or in the microwave on medium heat until hot.
- Cut them into even-sized pieces. Ensure even roasting by cutting the carrots into similar sizes. If some carrots are larger than others, cut them into quarters.
- Leave room between the carrots. Leave room between the carrots in the air fryer so they are evenly exposed to the hot air and caramelize properly. If they are packed in, the carrots can become soggy or mushy. If needed, cook them in batches and keep freshly cooked carrots in an oven preheated to 200°F until serving.
Serving: 1quarter of the savory seasoning variation | Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 515mg | Potassium: 380mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 18949IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg