This simple recipe for Air Fryer Baby Carrots is perfect for an easy side dish on a busy night. Even kids love these tender and flavorful roasted baby carrots that are simply seasoned with salt and pepper.

bowl of air fried baby carrots.

This recipe for Air Fryer Baby Carrots is a perfect example of a simple easy side dish that you make without having to use your big kitchen oven.

Just toss together a bag of drained baby carrots with some oil and seasonings and you’re good to go!

If you can get your kids to eat more veggies, then that is a huge win! Carrots are naturally sweet so they are on my list of the best vegetables for picky eaters.

Additionally, carrots are a great staple vegetable that are budget-friendly and generally available throughout the year. Carrots are high in beta-carotene, fiber, and antioxidants.

Air Fried Baby Carrot Recipe Benefits

  • Use your air-fryer to make these carrots if you don’t have space in your oven, or you don’t want to heat up your entire oven. This healthy side dish is also a great option if you’re on a budget (see my tips for healthy eating on a budget).
  • You only need 20 minutes cooking time for these simple roasted Air Fryer Carrots that go with almost any main dish.
  • Feel free to serve the carrots straight out of the air fryer, or glaze your carrots with honey, brown sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup.

Recommended Ingredients

photo with labeled ingredients for air fryer baby carrots
  • Baby carrots are ideal for this recipe because there is literally no prep other than draining them and patting them dry.
  • Olive oil helps the carrots cook and helps the seasonings stick to them.
  • Simple seasonings like salt, black pepper, and garlic powder are readily available and universally appealing.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Steps

Let me show you how easy it is to make Air Fryer Baby Carrots which takes less time than in the regular oven. It’s a delicious side dish that the whole family will love.

labeled process photo for air fryer carrots

Step One

Drain a bag of baby carrots in a colander and pat them dry with paper towels.

See the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact measurements.

Step Two

Toss the carrots with the oil and seasonings.

Step Three

Place carrots in the air fryer basket, and set the temperature to 400 degrees F for a cook time of 20 minutes.

The carrots don’t have to be in a single layer as you’ll be tossing them once during the cooking process around the halfway point.

Step Four

Once your air fried carrots are cooked, they will be slightly wrinkled and fork tender.

You can sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper on top of the seasoned carrots and serve them warm or at room temperature.

I hope you agree that this Air Fryer Baby Carrots recipe is the perfect side dish and a great way to enjoy vegetables. It’s a very easy recipe!

cooked baby carrots in air fryer basket

I hope your family agrees that this carrots recipe is at least one of their favorite side dishes!

It’s a delicious recipe with just a little oil and simple ingredients.

Recipe Tips

  • Feel free to get creative with your seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, taco seasoning, or any different seasonings are all great options.
  • There are actually a lot of different colors of carrots other than orange carrots. If you want something different, try using a purple carrot or other colors.
  • If you don’t have olive oil, consider using avocado oil or another healthy cooking oil that is safe for cooking. Melted butter would also be great.
  • Also consider using organic carrots to avoid exposure to pesticides.
  • Store any leftover carrots in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.

Cooked Carrot Recipe FAQs

Can I bake these in a regular oven instead of an air fryer?

Yes! You can make roasted carrots in an oven. Set the temperature to 400 degrees F for about 30-35 minutes.

Can I cook regular carrots in the air fryer instead of baby carrots?

Yes, but you may need to slice them into a 1/2-inch thick for larger carrots (don’t cook whole carrots). Cook them for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Can I use fresh herbs to season the carrots?

Yes! If you want to use fresh herbs like chopped rosemary, dill, or thyme, cook the baby carrots in the air fryer and then toss the cooked carrots with the fresh herbs. This will give you the best results and ensure that the herbs don’t burn.

cooked baby carrots on a serving plate with spoon

More Healthy Air Fryer Recipes You Might Like

Or, see my entire index of healthy air fryer recipes.

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platter with air fryer baby carrots

Kid-Friendly Air Fryer Baby Carrots

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

This simple recipe for Air Fryer Baby Carrots is perfect for an easy side dish on a busy night. Even kids love these tender and flavorful roasted baby carrots. 

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound bag baby carrots
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Open the bag of baby carrots and place them in a colander to drain any water from the bag. Then, use a clean towel to pat them dry.
  2. Place the carrots in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add the olive oil, dried garlic, sea salt, and black pepper, and stir to combine.
  4. Pour the carrots into the basket of your air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F for 20 minutes, stopping once to shake the basket during the cooking process.
  5. When the carrots are done cooking, they should be fork tender. Transfer the carrots to a serving bowl and serve warm.

Notes

  1. You can double this recipe depending on how large your air fryer basket is. The carrots can overlap each other while cooking; just be sure to shake the basket a few times during the cooking process to make sure they cook evenly.
  2. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat before serving.
  3. Some air fryers need to be preheated. Read your instruction manual to see if you need to preheat your model. 
  4. If you want to add more sweetness to your carrots, feel free to drizzle 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey on them and toss before serving. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 47
  • Sugar: 3.6 g
  • Sodium: 252.9 mg
  • Fat: 2.4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.4 g
  • Fiber: 2.2 g
  • Protein: 0.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.