Turn any carrot sceptic into a carrot enthusiast with these irresistible crispy carrot fries! Whether you opt for the oven or air fryer method, their crispy outside and tender inside will be a surefire hit with both kids and adults alike.
If there's one way to get your family to eat more veggies, it's by serving them in fry format! After enjoying these crispy baked carrot fries, why not explore more veggie delights in fry form? Try our flavorful Parsnip Fries, yummy Avocado Fries, Courgette Fries and our crunchy Broccoli Fries for a deliciously diverse fry experience your family will love!
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Reasons to Love Carrot Fries
- Taste: Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of carrots, making them irresistible.
- Texture: The perfect balance of a crispy exterior and tender inside.
- Veggie Exposure: Introducing vegetables in different and delicious ways promotes exposure and, hopefully, overall acceptance.
- Fun Factor: Kids generally love finger foods, especially ones they can dip, making carrot fries a hit for the whole family.
Ingredient Information (with alernative suggestions)
For the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Carrots: Opt for large, thick carrots for easier cutting into uniform fries. You can use any colour of carrots.
- Olive Oil: Enhances flavour and helps achieve a crispy texture. You can replace it with a different oil, such as avocado oil.
- Cornstarch (Cornflour): Essential for achieving that crispy exterior on the fries. While optional, skipping will result in a less crunchy texture.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a delightful smoky flavour that complements the natural sweetness of carrots. You can substitute it with other seasonings like cumin, Italian seasoning, curry powder, chili powder, black pepper or garlic powder if preferred. Alternatively, you could add chopped fresh parsley, thyme, tarragon, or dill after cooking.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavours and balances the sweetness of the carrots. Omit if serving a baby or young toddler.
Process Shots and Cooking Tips
This section features step-by-step photos for visual reference. The complete recipe can be found by scrolling to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Prepare Carrots: Peel, top, and tail the carrots, then, on a cutting board, cut them into long batons approximately 1cm by 10cm long (⅖ inch by 4 inches). Remember that the carrots will shrink slightly during baking, so it's best to cut them slightly larger than traditional french fries
- Coat the Carrots: Add the carrot sticks to a large bowl with the oil. Toss until the carrots are evenly coated with oil. Then, add the smoked paprika, salt and cornstarch and toss again until the carrots are evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and add a wire rack. Arrange the coated carrot fries in a single layer on the rack. If you don't have a wire rack, you can place the fries directly on the lined baking sheet, but using a rack allows for better air circulation and crispier fries.
- Bake: Preheat your oven and bake the carrot fries, turning them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Cooking times may vary depending on your oven and the size of the carrots. Check the fries at around 20 minutes, but they may need up to 30 minutes to become crispy and golden brown.
- Air Fryer Method: Follow the same preparation and seasoning steps as outlined above. Spread the carrot sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for about 10 minutes, or until the carrots are tender with a crispy, caramelised outside.
Top Tips
- Even Sizing: While it's fine if the fries aren't identical, aim to keep them relatively similar in size to ensure even cooking.
- Don't Overcrowd: Give the carrot fries plenty of space on the baking tray or in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than roasting, resulting in soggy fries instead of crispy ones.
- Flip: Whether you're baking in the oven or air frying, remember to flip the fries (or shake the air-fryer basket) halfway through cooking. This allows for even browning and crispier carrot fries. Although baking them on a rack ensures they are evenly cooked all around and avoids the need to flip the fries part way through cooking.
- Try a sweet potato mix: Try adding some sweet potatoes to the mix, to create a carrot and sweet potato fries mix. So good!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, once your baby is developmentally ready and has started solids (6 months or older). However, it's important to ensure the fries are cooked until soft enough to smash between your fingers. I would skip the cornflour and DO NOT add any salt when serving to a baby.
Although not necessary you could consider using a crinkle cutter to cut the carrots into fries. This provides a better grip for tiny hands, making it easier for babies to pick them up and enjoy.
I do not recommend cooking in advance or reheating, as they do go soft with time.
These fries are delicious on their own, straight out of the oven, but you can take them to the next level with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes for an extra kick of flavour. Serve them just like you would traditional fries, alongside your favorite dipping sauce or as a tasty veggie side dish.
For dipping, consider options like smoked paprika dip, avocado dip, spicy mayo, hot sauce, or any dip of your choice.
For a complete meal, pair these carrot fries with dishes like chicken tikka kebabs, Parmesan and lemon-crusted salmon, lentil burgers, tuna fish cakes, fish goujons, salmon croquettes, or incorporate them into a Buddha-style bowl for a satisfying and nutritious meal.
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Carrot Fries
Ingredients
- 600g / 1.3lb carrots (around 4 large carrots)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
- ½ teaspoon salt *do not add if serving to baby/young child
- 1 tablespoon corn starch (cornflour)
Instructions
- Scrub, peel and remove the top and tail of the carrots.
- Cut the carrots into sticks, slightly larger than a french fry (around 1cm (⅖ inch) thick by 10cm (4 inch)long)
- Place all the carrots into a mixing bowl and toss with the olive oil to coat. Add the smoked paprika, salt and cornstarch/cornflour until they are all fully coated.
Oven Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (fan) / 400°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Add a wire rack on top if you have one.
- Place fries on the prepared baking tray in a single-layer
- Bake for 20-25 mins, until golden and tender inside. If you did not use a wire rack make sure to flip fries halfway through the cooking time.
Air Fryer Cooking Instructions
- Spread the carrot sticks on a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 200C/400F for 12-15 minutes, or until the carrots are tender with a crispy, caramelised outside.
Video
Recipe Notes
- Oven temperatures vary and the length of time may be shorter / longer depending on how thick you have cut your fries.
- If serving a baby do not add salt and make sure to cook until the carrots are squishable between your fingers.
Rachael S
Do you make this all at once and then reheat? How many days is it good for?