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Jazz up carrots and make crispy Carrot Fries! Baked or air fried, this easy healthy recipe will satisfy your cravings without guilt. So tasty that you won’t ever guess they have just 80 calories per serving.
Hands up if you love fries. I’ll go first and raise both. Out of all comfort foods, fries and chips have always been my favorite. Just to give you an idea, as a kid I always used to order pizza with fries on top. I could eat them everyday.
But sadly fries are not the healthiest food in the pla…wait… What if I told you that you can make super tasty French fries with vegetables? Give these crispy carrot fries a go and you’ll be amazed at the result. Together with my air fryer zucchini fries and low calorie French fries, they go in the list of healthy fast food recipes that satisfies your cravings guilt-free.
Table of Contents
Why you will love carrot French fries!
If you are looking for heathy alternatives to fast food, this recipe is for you. Here at home we love it so much that carrot baked sticks have become part of our weekly menu. We have them as snacks, appetizers and sides. I’m pretty sure you will love carrot fries too. Here’s why:
- They’re crispy, tasty and flavorsome, with a sweet aftertaste that will drive your taste buds crazy. That’s because the natural sugars in the veggies will make your fries caramelize.
- Carrots are a healthy food packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin A, which supports vision and skin health. They also contain fiber, potassium, and antioxidants.
- Clocking at 80 calories per serving, carrot fries are perfect for the diet. Low in calories, but rich in nutrients and taste.
- This recipe is quick and easy, you can make carrot fries in the oven or in the air fryer. And the best thing is, you only need 3 main ingredients plus some seasonings.
- It’s a versatile dish that can be adapted to your own likings. From choice of seasonings to serving occasion, the only limit is the sky.
The ingredients
This recipe makes carrot fries easy, ridiculously easy. It only calls for two main ingredients, carrots and olive oil. Toss with your favorite herbs and seasonings, spice’em up with salt and enjoy! Here are all ingredients you’ll need:
- Carrots. The best veggie fries are made with medium size fresh carrots, the bigger they are, the more watery they’ll taste. I recommend organic, home grown or carrots from local farmers.
- Olive oil. One tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil makes carrot fries crispy and delicious. A great alternative is avocado oil, or use coconut oil for a distinct flavor. I wouldn’t skip the oil, as it is necessary to give carrots a better taste and crispy texture.
- Salt and seasonings. This easy recipe only uses sea salt, smoked paprika and garlic powder, simple but delicious. Feel free to add extra herbs and seasonings such as dried dill, onion powder, ground black pepper or Italian seasoning.
How to make carrot fries?
- Wash carrots, trim the ends and pat them dry using a clean kitchen towel. Cut the veggies into fries, then place in a large mixing bowl. Toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, sea salt and garlic powder.
- Arrange the carrot sticks on a prepared baking sheet, in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Bake in hot oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep an eye on the fries to prevent burning, they are ready when golden brown and crispy.
Can I air fry carrot fries?
Yes, this recipe is air fryer friendly. Both ingredients and preparation methods remain the same, with the difference that you will need to cook the vegetables in the air fryer basket. The carrot fries air fryer recipe may take less time to be ready, depending on how powerful your machine is. Keep an eye on them, 15 minutes in may already be enough.
How can I store carrot fries?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days. For the best storage, let the sticks cool and then place in an airtight food container. Baked carrots can also be frozen in zipper bags for up to 3 months. Before serving, reheat in the oven until warm.
Success tips
- Choose high quality carrots. Whether organic, homegrown, or sourced from a local market, they’ll make your veggie fries tastier and more nutritious.
- Season to your likings. Toss them with just salt and paprika if you are looking for something simple, or experiment with herbs and seasonings like garlic powder or dried dill.
- Spray with olive oil before baking. For extra crispness, save some of the olive oil and brush or spray all over the sticks before baking.
- Line the fries on a single layer, spacing them apart. If you overcrowd the baking sheet, baked carrot fries won’t cook evenly and get crispy.
- Don’t overbake carrots. The longer they bake, the drier they’ll get. Remove them from the oven when golden brown and crispy.
Start by washing the vegetables, then trim ends and pat them dry. You should now cut carrots into sticks of medium size. Do not cut them too small because vegetables tend to lose water and diminish in size when baked.
Baked or air fryer carrot fries are a healthier alternative to regular potato fries. First, carrots have fewer calories and carbohydrates, making this recipe great for weight loss and low carb diets. Second, they are rich in nutrients, fibers and vitamin A. Lastly, my carrot fries are baked in the oven or air fryer with minimal fats, they’re not deep fried in oil.
Crispy carrot fries are great as a tasty snack or as a side dish alongside burgers, sandwiches, or salads. Pair them with a dipping sauce such as garlic aioli, honey mustard, or tzatziki for the best experience.
More healthy snacks and sides
- Air fryer zucchini fries
- Low calorie French fries
- Healthy zucchini fritters
- Simple potato fritters
- Air fryer tortilla chips
- Easy protein pizza
Carrot Fries
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 grams) carrots
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp sea salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp paprika
- ⅓ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash carrots, trim the ends and path dry them with a clean towel.
- Cut carrots into sticks, then place in a large mixing bowl. Toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt and garlic powder.
- Arrange the carrot sticks on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Bake in hot oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep an eye on your fries to prevent burning, they are ready when golden brown and crispy.
Yummy, yummy these fry carrots and healthy.
Hey dear Constantino,
thanks a LOT for your comment. I’m so glad you liked. Make them in the air fryer or in the oven and you’ll be amazed at their healthy crispiness!
Delicious the carrots fries!??
Hey dear Liza,
thanks a lot! Oh yes, definitely. These easy carrot fries are so crispy and tasty, but also healthy and good for you!