Carrot Fries (Oven or Air Fryer)

Basket of carrot fries on parchment paper paired with a vibrant sriracha mayo for dipping.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 40

Servings: people

Calories: 137kcal

Author: Platings and Pairings

Carrot Fries are crispy, golden, and bursting with flavor - a game-changer for healthy snacking and satisfying sides. They’re the perfect choice, whether you're looking for a nutritious alternative to classic French fries or a fun new way to serve your veggies to any picky eaters. Enjoy them with sriracha mayo or another favorite dipping sauce!

Print Recipe

Equipment

Baking Sheet optional
Air Fryer optional
Knife

Ingredients

2 pounds carrots
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Sriracha Mayo for serving

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425-degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or tin foil.
Peel the carrots and cut them crosswise into pieces about 3-inches long. Cut each piece lengthwise into planks about 1/3-inch thick then cut into 1/3-inch thick sticks. Place in a large bowl.
Sprinkle the carrots with cornstarch, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder, and toss to coat. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat again.

Oven Method

Spread the carrot fries on the baking sheets, making sure no fries are overlapping or touching. Crowding will result in steamed carrots versus crispy, roasted carrots.
Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping the carrots halfway through.
Enjoy with sriracha mayo, if desired.

Air Fryer Method

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and lightly coat the basket with cooking spray.
Arrange the carrot sticks in a single layer, making sure not to overlap too much (you will need to work in batches).
Air fry for 8–10 minutes, or until golden and crisp, shaking the basket halfway through for an even cook.
Enjoy with sriracha mayo, if desired.

Notes

Storing

Store these carrot fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Keep in mind that they will soften the longer they are stored.
You can reheat them in the microwave until warm, broil them in the oven for a minute, or add them to the air fryer to regain some of the crispy exterior lost while stored in the fridge.

Tips and tricks

Cut the carrots to the right size. Slice your carrots into sticks about ⅓ inch thick. This ensures they cook through evenly while still crisping up on the outside.
Don’t skip the cornstarch. A light dusting of cornstarch is key. It helps draw out surface moisture and forms a delicate, crackly crust when baked or air fried - exactly what you want in crispy fries.
Avoid overcrowding. Spread the carrot sticks out in a single layer on your baking sheet, leaving enough space between each stick. Overcrowding traps steam, which leads to soft, soggy fries.
Flip halfway through. Flip the fries halfway through the roasting time to encourage even browning and crisping on all sides.
Watch closely toward the end. Most ovens vary, so keep an eye on your fries during the final minutes of cooking. After all, we’re aiming for golden and crisp carrot fries, not burnt fries!
Cook with high heat. Cook these carrot fries at 400 degrees F or higher. The high temperature helps quickly evaporate moisture and promotes browning on the edges, both of which contribute to that irresistible crispy finish.

Variations

Change the seasonings - Use dill, chili powder, cumin, coriander, or homemade Italian seasoning. If you have a seasoning that you love on potatoes, it will most likely work well on these carrot fries, too.
Add a cheesy twist - Grate some Parmesan cheese over these carrot fries or sprinkle some nutritional yeast over them just before serving.
Adjust the heat - Easily adjust the spice in this recipe. Increase the paprika or use cayenne pepper and chili powder if you enjoy heat. Similarly, you could omit this and simply enjoy your fries with salt and pepper.
Make them herbaceous - Toss the carrot fries with finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, rosemary, or chives just before serving.
Cook them in an air fryer - For an even crispier finish and faster cook time, make your carrot fries in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the carrot sticks in batches.

Nutrition