These Savory Rosemary Air Fryer Baby Carrots are so easy and delicious to make! The perfect 15-minute side dish, they will be sure to impress!
I have to admit, I am not a huge side dish person. I always realize towards the end of cooking that I forgot to make some sort of side to go with our meal. However, when it comes to eating, I LOVE side dishes. Thanksgiving, sign me up for the sides. Christmas, same thing. Sides are my favorite thing to eat.
These Savory Rosemary Air Fryer Baby Carrots come together in 15 minutes and are so delicious that you will eat the whole bowl in one sitting. I know this because I did! This is the perfect recipe for people like me who are always forgetting to make a side dish. Easy, quick and delicious, you won't want to miss out!
For some other great side dish ideas, check out these Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes, this Vegan Creamed Spinach Casserole or these Gluten-Free Scalloped Potatoes or, this Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Casserole!
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What Makes These Air Fryer Carrots The Best
- Easy and Quick- These carrots only take 15 minutes! They are so quick that you can whip them up right before eating!
- Delicious- When air-fried, the carrots take on a sweetness that pairs so well with the savory flavors of thyme and rosemary.
- Only 4 Ingredients- Seriously, it doesn't get any easier. You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry already!
Ingredient Notes
- Carrots- I used a bag of baby carrots for this recipe, it made it super simple, no chopping required. However, feel free to use regular carrots if you prefer. If you don't chop them to the size of baby carrots, you will have to adjust your cook time.
- Herbs- I love the flavors of Thyme and Rosemary. I always have them growing in my garden so I threw in some freshness. Fresh is always best in my opinion but feel free to use dried herbs as well!
- Oil- I used olive oil in this recipe, I just tossed the carrots in about a tablespoon of oil. Feel free to just spray them with canola oil in the air fryer basket or use your favorite neutral oil.
See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities.
Instructions
- Add the carrots to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
- Toss with rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper
- Add the carrots to the air fryer. Make sure to add them in a single layer so they will cook evenly.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 15 minutes
Hint: To fully coat the carrots, add them to a bowl and drizzle the olive oil and herbs over top. Using a spatula, give it a good toss and it will coat them completely.
Substitutions
- Herbs - If you don't have rosemary or thyme on hand, feel free to use any herbs that you prefer. I have even made these with Italian seasoning before and they turned out perfect!
- Parsnips - If you want to diversify this recipe a little, throw in some parsnips with the carrots to make it even more delicious! They will have a similar cook time, just make sure they are cut the same size.
- Vegan Parmesan - Add some vegan Parmesan to the finished carrots to really boost that savory, umami flavor.
Variations
- Spicy - If you want to add a bit of heat, add some red chili flakes in with the herbs.
- Sweet - The carrots will naturally become sweeter as they roast and become caramelized. However, if you want a sweet variation, swap out the oil and herbs and toss with maple syrup and coconut sugar!
- Pesto - After cooking, drizzle the carrots with some pesto to give it an extra flavor boost!
Check out some other delicious side dishes such as these Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes, this Roasted Broccoli and Potatoes or this Vegan Corn Casserole!
FAQ's
If you are using whole carrots, I would recommend peeling before air frying. However, since we are using baby carrots, they are already peeled so there is no extra work required.
Yes! Roasting or air frying, in this case, locks in the nutrients in the carrots and ensures that you are getting the maximum benefit of the vegetable. Boiling or steaming carrots has been known to increase their cancer-fighting carotenoids by 14 percent!
Cooking vegetables helps break down the fibers they contain, which makes them easier on the digestive system because they're already partly broken down.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. See below for the equipment you will need to make this recipe.
- Air Fryer
- Glass Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
Storage
You can save the leftover baby carrots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The air fryer baby carrots taste great either warm or cold so they will make for a delightful addition to meal prepped lunches or a simple veggie side right out of the fridge!
I wouldn't freeze these carrots as they would turn mushy when thawing. They are best eaten within 4 days of making them.
Top tips
- All air fryers are different. Make sure you know your air fryer, it may take less or more time to cook your carrots depending on how your air fryer cooks. Check them at 10 minutes. The carrots will be done when they are fork-tender and caramelized.
- The size of the carrots will also make a difference in cooking times. If you use whole carrots, it may take more time to cook. Baby carrots are perfect for this recipe because they will cook super fast and there is no cutting required.
- Make sure to lay the carrots flat in an even layer. This will ensure that they are all cooked evenly. If you do have to overlap the carrots, you will have to increase the cooking time and toss halfway through.
Other Great Sides You Will Love!
- Easy Creamy Whole30 Coleslaw
- Vegan Cornbread Stuffing
- Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
- Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole
- Warm Basil Pesto Potato Salad
- Easy Air-Fryer Frozen Vegetables
Savory Rosemary Air Fryer Baby Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 lb Organic Baby Carrots
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 teaspoons Fresh Rosemary chopped
- 2 teaspoons Fresh Thyme chopped
- Salt and Pepper for taste
Instructions
- Add the carrots to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
- Toss with rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper
- Add the carrots to the air fryer. Make sure to add them in a single layer so they will cook evenly.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 15 minutes
Notes
- All air fryers are different. Make sure you know your air fryer, it may take less or more time to cook your carrots depending on how your air fryer cooks. Check them at 10 minutes. The carrots will be done when they are fork-tender and caramelized.
- The size of the carrots will also make a difference in cooking times. If you use whole carrots, it may take more time to cook. Baby carrots are perfect for this recipe because they will cook super fast and there is no cutting required.
- Make sure to lay the carrots flat in an even layer. This will ensure that they are all cooked evenly. If you do have to overlap the carrots, you will have to increase the cooking time and toss halfway through.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
kaydimaggio says
These carrots were so easy to make and turned out great!
jan says
I used avocado oil instead. I love the taste of rosemary on carrots and making them in the airfryer is so easy.
Jere says
I love carrots and made this simple recipe but had to bake in the oven. I have fresh rosemary and added that, but no thyme.
FOODHEAL says
I'd finish everything all at once! these baby carrots look delicious. I wish I'd an air-fryer!
Natalie says
I love baby carrots. My son loves them too. I can't wait to give your recipe a try. Added rosemary sounds so delicious.
Nancy says
What a delicious and simple way to get more veggies! Love this!
Bernice says
Now that we are empty nesters, we use our airfryer for everything and roasting veggies work so well in the air fryer. I'll be trying this great side dish recipe next.
Sabine says
I never thought of making carrots in the air fryer and what a great idea. This was so delicious!!
Nora says
What a delicious air fryer recipe! I immediately add to my collection! Rosemary and carrots, just a perfect combination!
Giangi Townsend says
Fantastic idea and super easy recipe. Absolutely delicious.
nancy says
these are the perfect bite sized carrots that goes with any meal
nancy says
i love adding rosemary to the baby carrots. perfect seasoning. and it turned out crunchy and tender
Gina Abernathy says
My husband loves cooked carrots. The fresh herbs add so much flavor. Great recipe.
Shilpa says
Loved these air fryer carrots. Perfectly cooked and so delicious.
Sue says
This is right up my alley! Thanks for giving me another way to make baby carrots!