The Best Easy Roasted Air Fryer Carrots (Vegan)

A simple and delicious recipe for roasted air fryer carrots made with carrots, herbs, and a little bit of oil. An easy side dish for any meal. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and Whole30.

Our favorite thing to make in the air fryer is vegetables. Potatoes are probably our #1, but since making these carrots, they might soon be our favorite!

Carrots in the air fryer are super easy to make, ready in about 25-30 minutes (or less depending on how much you make), and go with just about any protein we are making. And they are so dang tasty! Perfectly fork tender and their natural sweetness comes out when you roast them, which pairs perfectly with the savory herbs.

We usually just have them as a side, but you can add them to salads, with breakfast, in power bowls, or make them for meal prep for the week.

This recipe makes a decent amount (4 cups worth), but you can easily cut the recipe in half if you don’t need that much. That will also cut down the cooking time by about 5-10 minutes or so.

Why I love my air fryer

If you follow me on Instagram, you know we absolutely love our air fryer. We have been using our air fryer since 2018 and it makes an appearance probably 4-5 times a week! And here is why:

1. You can get super crispy food – due to the technology of the air fryer and the way the air flows, it helps get food super crispy on the outside. No need for deep frying.
2. You don’t need to use a lot of oil – to get that crispy texture, foods are usually cooked in a lot of oil or deep-fried. I find you only need a tablespoon or two of oil in the air fryer, which makes recipes a lot healthier.
3. It cooks things faster than your convection oven – I find that it cooks things faster than in our oven and with better results!
4. The versatility – you can do so many things with it! Our favorite is probably potatoes, but these carrots are a close second. You can do pork chops, chicken wings, salmon, any kind of veggies, and even homemade chips!

I have a Philips Air Fryer XXL and love it. While it is large, it holds a lot of food, and we eat a lot of food. It has multiple settings, is easy to clean, and is easy to store.

It is a little pricer than other ones I have seen, but with it being so large and how well it works, I think it is worth it. There are plenty of different models and options out there to find one that best fits your needs.

Are air fryer carrots healthy?

Carrots are a great healthy addition to any diet. They are low in calories, lower in carbohydrates than a potato, and are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, and potassium.

Carrots are also are high in carotenoids, an antioxidant compound found in plants that are associated with a wide range of health benefits. These benefits range from a decrease in multiple kinds of cancer to a decrease in cardiovascular disease. And yes, they really are good for your eyes, thank you again carotenoids.

Cooking carrots slightly changes the nutritional content and makes some of the nutrients more bioavailable. But both raw and cooked carrots pack a nutrient punch, so no need to favor one way over the other.

To get the most out of the carotenoids found in carrots, you should try to eat them with a little fat (like the oil used in this recipe). It assists in the micronutrients being better absorbed in your body.

Air fryer carrots ingredients

• carrots
• oil
• fresh rosemary
• dried oregano
• dried thyme
• oil or butter/ghee
• salt and pepper

How to make air fryer carrots

1. Prep your carrots. First, rinse off any dirt and debris, especially if not peeling them. If desired, peel your carrots to remove the skin. Then dice them into 1/2-3/4 inch pieces.
2. Mix. Add them to a large mixing bowl. Next, add oil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and salt and pepper and toss to combine. You really want to make sure they all have an even coating on them.
3. Roast. Then add them to your air fryer basket, making sure not to leave any seasoning behind. Spread them out evenly in your air fryer basket. It is okay if they are on top of each other and overlapping. Set to 400 degrees for 13 minutes. At the 13-minute mark, remove the basket and shake well. Continue to cook for another 10-15 minutes until tender and slightly browned on the outside (time will depend on how crispy you want them). If desired, garnish with a little chopped parsley and enjoy!

How long to cook carrots in the air fryer?

I found the best cooking time to make carrots in the air fryer is 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees. I suggest pausing around the 13-minute mark, shaking, and then cooking for another 10 minutes. Add more time if needed.

Cooking time will slightly vary depending on how big you cut your carrots. You can also half this recipe and reduce the cooking time.

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

No, I have never preheated my air fryer for anything and find you don’t need to as it is just a waste of energy. It will get hot enough without preheating.

Can you cook carrots straight from frozen?

Yes, you can cook carrots straight from frozen, but I find it takes a lot longer since they are wet and you need more time to draw out the moisture and crisp up.

For 2 pounds of frozen carrots, it takes 35-40 minutes (depending on their size how and crispy you like them). If using less, you won’t need as much time.

I prefer using fresh carrots for this recipe if possible.

Do I need to peel my carrots?

It’s up to your if you want to peel your carrots. I do suggest washing them to remove any dirt or debris if you are not peeling them. The skin does have a slightly different texture and taste, which can cause them to be a little bitter and tougher.

We usually don’t peel the skin when serving just for ourselves but will peel if making them for others for a prettier presentation.

Tips for the best air fryer carrots

1. Cut them into uniform pieces. This will ensure even cooking.
2. Full coat them with oil. You don’t need a lot of oil in the air fryer, but you do want to make sure they are evenly coated to help give them a good crisp.
3. Shake them around a few times. I like to pause the air fryer around the halfway mark to remove the basket and shake them up. That way it helps them get an even airflow. I usually pause them with a few minutes left and do the same.

How to reheat air fryer carrots

If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely (so no moisture forms) and store them in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to a week. To heat them up you can put them back in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes, toast them in a pan with a little oil, or use the microwave.

Substitutions

Here are a few substitutions to change up the flavor profile of air fryer roasted carrots. I love using what I have on hand as they always come out so good!

• carrots – you can use orange or rainbow carrots.
• oil – you can use any neutral-tasting oil like coconut oil or light olive oil. Melted butter or ghee will also work, which will give them a richer flavor.
• herbs and spices – feel free to change up the seasoning according to your liking. Things like garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, or tried parsley would be good substitutes. Cinnamon would be delicious for a sweet option.

More healthy air fryer recipes

• The Best Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Honey & Garlic
• Rosemary Garlic Air Fryer Potatoes
• Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

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