Love the idea of french fries but not the nutrition? Same. Although fries are an iconic American finger food, the combination of all the carbs and the frying (and usually tons of salt) make them a decidedly unhealthy option. But what if you could enjoy fries whenever you want and in abundance, knowing they're actually good for you? We've been making carrot fries in our air fryer at home for years and they're our absolute favorite happy hour snack. You need to try these!
Like the name implies, carrot fries are the same idea as french fries but are made with carrots. This recipe will walk you through how to make them easily at home in the air fryer, with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you serve them as an appetizer, enjoy them alongside burgers or sandwiches, or make a batch as a weekend happy hour snack, these easy air fryer carrot fries are sure to become a staple in your house.
Absolutely! These air fryer carrot fries have a lot going for them nutritionally. Carrots are rich in beta carotene, antioxidants, potassium, and vitamin K. Because they're low in calories and high in fiber, they're filling and satisfying without being heavy. To get even more nutrition from these fries, feel free to use rainbow carrots, as I've shown here (the different colors have different nutrients). Because these are cooked in the air fryer instead of deep-fried, they're much lower in fat and calories than traditional fries.
Although fries are typically served with ketchup, I've included my favorite maple mustard tahini dipping sauce recipe here. Ketchup and virtually any jarred sauce you'll find at the store are high in sugar and usually contain preservatives. This easy tahini sauce is lightly and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, plus the tahini provides some protein and healthy fats. Feel free to use whatever homemade or store-bought sauce works for you though, or try this turmeric tahini sauce for a different flavor profile.
In case you're wondering whether you can make these air fryer carrot fries oil-free, the answer is sort of. I've tried it numerous time and they cook fine. Without oil though, they don't crisp up as much. Just a touch of oil allows them to get tender in the middle while having a lightly crisp, browned exterior. If you try them both with and without oil, please leave a comment below to let everyone know how the two options compare. But in my personal opinion, just a tiny amount of oil really improves the texture and it's still far less oil than classic restaurant fries.
These air fryer carrot fries are easy and fast to make at home. You'll just cut carrots into fry-sized carrot sticks, toss them in a dash of oil, salt, and pepper, and air-fry them for 10-12 minutes until tender on the inside and lightly browned on the outside. This recipe comes together in about 20 minutes with just a few ingredients, so it's a great choice when a snack craving hits or you have unexpected visitors.
The only remotely tricky piece is cutting the carrots, since the end result is much better if the carrot fries are all the same size. I cut each carrot into two or three pieces (around its width), depending on how long each carrot is. Then I cut each of those pieces length-wise to make carrot sticks. If the carrot is skinny at the bottom tip, that piece might only yield two fries. If it's thick at its top end, that piece might yield four fries. There's no right or wrong size, but do your best to make sure they're about the same length and width so they cook evenly.
Although this concept can work okay in the oven, it's not nearly as fast or as easy as the air-fryer, and the results aren't as good. Because the air-fryer is essentially a small convection oven, the circulating hot air helps to rapidly crisp the outsides of the carrots as the insides become tender. A traditional oven will cook the carrots, but they won't get the same golden slightly-crisp exterior. This concept may work well in a convection oven, although I haven't tried it; please leave a comment below if you do.
Here's what you'll need for this air fryer carrot fries recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
We've been making these air fryer carrot fries at home for years and they're truly a favorite. We have a Friday evening tradition of doing a cocktail and finger food date night, and carrot fries make an appearance regularly, especially during the colder months. I often change up the dipping sauce to match whatever else we're having; they're especially great with guacamole.
I can't wait for you to try these air-fryer carrot fries! They're quick and easy to make at home, and they're a finger food you can really feel good about enjoying. Say goodbye to heavy and greasy restaurant fries, dried-out oven potato fries, and expensive frozen fries. Whether you enjoy these carrot fries as a side to burgers, as a late-night snack, or as a party dish, they're great proof that finger food doesn't have to be bad for you.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
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These air fryer carrot fries are easy to make at home and much healthier than restaurant fries. They're a finger food you can feel good about enjoying!
For the Fries
For the Maple Mustard Tahini Dipping Sauce
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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