Description
A delightful recipe for simple air fryer roasted carrots, perfect for a quick, nutritious, and delicious side dish. Ideal for busy families seeking a healthy meal without sacrificing flavor, this recipe yields tender carrots with a lightly crispy exterior.
Ingredients
4-5 units Medium Carrots
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
To taste Salt
To taste Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Sweet Paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the Carrots: Start by washing and peeling the carrots. Cut them into slices of approximately 1.5 to 2 cm thick, or into sticks. Try to maintain a uniform size so they cook evenly
- Season: In a large bowl, place the cut carrots. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika (if using). Mix well with your hands or a spatula, ensuring all carrots are well coated with the seasonings. This step is crucial for the flavor of your simple air fryer roasted carrots
- Preheat the Air Fryer: If your air fryer has a preheat function, turn it on to 190°C (375°F) for 3-5 minutes. This helps ensure the carrots cook evenly and become crispy
- Roast: Arrange the seasoned carrots in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding, as this prevents the carrots from becoming crispy. If necessary, roast in batches
- Cook: Roast for 15 to 20 minutes at 190°C (375°F). Halfway through the cooking time (around 8-10 minutes), shake the basket or use a spatula to turn the carrots. This ensures all sides are golden and tender. The time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of the carrots. Check for desired tenderness and golden brown level
- Serve: Remove the simple air fryer roasted carrots from the basket and serve immediately
Notes
Do Not Overcrowd: This is the most important tip! The air fryer works by circulating hot air. If you put too many carrots in the basket, they will steam instead of roast, resulting in a soft, non-crispy texture. Roast in batches if necessary.
Uniform Size: Cut the carrots into similarly sized pieces. This ensures that all pieces cook at the same time, preventing some from being raw while others burn.
Olive Oil is Essential: Olive oil not only adds flavor but also helps the spices adhere and contributes to the external crispness.
Shake the Basket: Shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time is crucial for the carrots to brown on all sides.
Adjust Time: Every air fryer is slightly different. Keep an eye on the carrots from 12-15 minutes onwards and adjust the time according to your appliance’s power. The goal is a carrot that is tender inside and lightly caramelized on the edges.
Storage: Let the roasted carrots cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat and maintain crispness, the best option is to use the air fryer again. Place the carrots in the basket in a single layer and cook at 180°C (350°F) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and lightly crispy again. Avoid the microwave, as it will make them soft.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Global