Air Fryer Carrot Fries
Add Preferred SourceI love making Air Fryer Carrot Fries when I need a fun side dish everyone will actually eat. The air fryer makes them crispy outside and tender inside, the Cajun seasoning brings the heat, and the nutritional yeast adds that savory touch. The vegan aioli is garlicky and smooth. You’ll find yourself reaching for more.
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I make these for weeknight dinners, game day snacks, and appetizer platters because they’re a fun, healthier alternative to regular fries. They stay crispy at room temp for about an hour, so they’re great for serving at gatherings, and leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Carrot Fries with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Getting these carrot fries crispy is all about cutting them evenly and not overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Preheat and Prep Your Carrots
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400F. I like using this basket-style air fryer because it’s roomy enough to cook a full pound of fresh carrots in one batch without them touching.
While it heats up, peel your carrots and trim off the tips. Cut them into fry-shaped carrot sticks about the same thickness so they cook evenly; if some are thicker than others, the thin ones will burn before the thicker ones crisp up.
You can also use baby carrots and cut them in half lengthwise to save time on prep. If you prefer sweet potato fries instead, you can swap the carrots for sweet potatoes, cut them the same way, and cook them for just the right amount of time.
Season the Carrot Fries
Mix the olive oil (or avocado oil for a milder flavor), Cajun seasoning, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the cut carrots and toss them around with your hands or a spoon until every piece is coated.
The nutritional yeast adds a savory, almost cheesy flavor that makes these taste more indulgent than plain cooked carrots. If you want to make garlic parmesan carrot fries instead, swap the Cajun seasoning for garlic powder and add vegan parmesan cheese after cooking.
You can also add red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix if you like extra heat.
Air Fry the Carrots
Spread the carrot fries in a single layer in your air fryer basket, or lightly coat the basket with cooking spray first to prevent sticking. They shouldn’t overlap; otherwise, they’ll steam rather than crisp up.
If you have a smaller air fryer, cook them in two batches. Set the timer for 15 minutes and let them cook. You don’t need to shake the basket halfway through, as some recipes suggest, but you can if you want them extra crispy on all sides.
These carrot fries are a healthier alternative to traditional or potato fries and are naturally gluten-free.
Make the Vegan Garlic Aioli
While the carrots cook, blend the vegan mayonnaise, garlic cloves, olive oil, and salt in a blender or food processor until smooth. I use a high-powered blender for small batches like this because it blends everything quickly without leaving garlic chunks.
The aioli should be creamy and garlicky, and it’ll thicken slightly as it sits. If you don’t have vegan mayo on hand, you can make a quick dip by mixing vegan Greek yogurt with garlic powder in a small bowl instead.
Serve and Enjoy
Pull the carrot fries from the air fryer when they’re golden and crispy on the edges. Serve immediately while they’re hot and crispy with the garlic aioli on the side for dipping.
You can also sprinkle fresh parsley on top for color, or serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, spicy mayo, or ranch. They make a great healthy snack or side dish. Enjoy!
If you’re bringing these to a party or potluck, transport them in an insulated casserole carrier to keep them warm, and pack the aioli separately in a small container so the fries don’t get soggy. You can also reheat them in the host’s air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes right before serving to crisp them back up.
Equipment
Ingredients
Carrot Fries
- 1 pound 450g carrots
- 1 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
Vegan Aioli Mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400F (200C)
- Peel the carrots and remove tips. Cut into fries.
- Mix olive oil and seasonings in a large bowl.
- Add carrot fries and stir to coat evenly.
- Cook carrots in the Air Fryer for 15 minutes. Make sure they don’t overlap (you may have to make them in batches).
- Blend the aioli ingredients together.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Cut evenly: Make sure all your carrot fries are about the same thickness so they cook at the same rate and you don’t end up with some burnt and some undercooked.
- Don’t skip preheating: Preheating your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the carrots helps them crisp immediately rather than steam first.
- Work in batches if needed: If your air fryer is on the smaller side, cook the carrots in two batches so they don’t overlap and get crispy all over.
- Shake for extra crispiness: You don’t have to shake the basket halfway through, but if you want fries that are crisp on all sides, give them a quick shake at the 8-minute mark.
- Make the aioli ahead: The garlic aioli tastes even better if you prepare it an hour or two before serving, as the flavors have time to blend.
- Reheat properly: If you’re reheating leftover fries, use an air fryer instead of a microwave so they crisp back up rather than becoming soggy.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover carrot fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They’ll lose some crispness as they sit, but you can reheat them in an air fryer at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes to crisp them back up.
I don’t recommend freezing these because carrots get mushy when thawed, and the texture won’t be as good. If you want to prep ahead, cut the carrots and store them in a glass storage container with a damp paper towel for up to 2 days before cooking.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Carrot Fries
Serve these alongside veggie burgers, vegan grilled cheese, or as a side dish anywhere you’d normally have regular fries. They’re also great as a snack platter with dipping sauces like ketchup, vegan ranch, or spicy mayo. I like pairing them with comfort food because the carrots’ natural sweetness balances out richer dishes.
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