Air Fryer Carrot Chips might be the easiest crunchy snack you have not tried yet. If you are the kind of person who suddenly wants something salty at 3 pm, but also wants to keep it light, this is your snack. They crisp up fast, they are budget friendly, and they taste surprisingly addictive with a little seasoning. I started making them when I wanted a chip vibe without the greasy fingers. Now I prep a batch once a week and nibble them like popcorn. Ready to make your air fryer do a happy dance?
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CARROT CHIPS
What you will need
- 4 to 5 medium carrots, peeled
- 1 to 1.5 teaspoons oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Optional add-ins: garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, or a pinch of chili powder
Directions
- Prep the carrots: Peel, then slice into very thin coins using a sharp knife or a mandoline on the thinnest setting. Thinner slices crisp better.
- Pat dry: Lay the slices on a towel and pat dry to remove surface moisture. This makes them crispier.
- Season: Toss with oil, salt, pepper, and any extras. You want a light, even coat.
- Air fry: Spread in a single layer in a preheated basket at 360 F. Cook 8 to 12 minutes, shaking twice. Watch closely for the last 2 minutes.
- Finish: When the edges are browned and centers feel firm, they are ready. Let them cool a couple minutes to fully crisp.
If your air fryer runs hot, drop the temp to 350 F and add a minute. If the chips keep flying around, use a light mesh rack to hold them down. And if you want a savory pairing after they cool, try them next to these crispy air fryer garlic parmesan potatoes. The combo hits every snack craving.
“I did not expect to love these as much as I do. They are sweet, salty, and totally crunchy without feeling heavy. Now I keep a jar on my counter like other people keep cookies.”
WHAT KIND OF CARROTS SHOULD I USE FOR AIR FRYER CARROT CHIPS?
Short answer: fresh, firm carrots work best. Long answer: look for carrots that feel solid with bright orange color and no flabby spots. The fresher the carrot, the sweeter the chip. I reach for standard medium carrots because they slice into nice coins, but baby carrots work if you cut them into thin ovals. Rainbow carrots also make a pretty bowl and taste the same, so use what you have.
The real trick is thickness. Aim for very thin slices, about the thickness of a coin. If your slices are too thick, you will get chewy centers. Too thin and they can singe. A mandoline makes this easy, but a sharp knife and patience work fine. Keep the slices somewhat even so everything cooks at the same rate. If a few slices are thicker, just pull out the crisp ones and give the thicker ones another minute.
One more tip I learned after a lot of batches: dry the slices. Moist carrots give you soft chips. A quick pat with a towel before the oil is the difference between good and great Air Fryer Carrot Chips.
WHAT TYPE OF OIL SHOULD YOU USE FOR AIR FRYER CARROT CHIPS?
You do not need much oil here, just enough to kiss the surface. My favorite is avocado oil because it has a high smoke point and a clean taste. Extra virgin olive oil is delicious too, especially with a sprinkle of sea salt and garlic powder. Coconut oil adds a tiny hint of sweetness that plays nicely with the natural sugars in carrots.
If you are watching calories, stick to a measured teaspoon or use a spray bottle and do two light passes. More oil will not make them crispier. It can actually soften the chips and make them cook unevenly. No matter which oil you use, toss the slices well so every piece has a thin, even coat. That is how you get those **crispy edges** and golden color.
For a spicy version, mix the oil with smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne. For a comfort snack, do olive oil with a whisper of onion powder and cracked black pepper. This recipe is flexible, and that is why Air Fryer Carrot Chips have become a weekly habit in my kitchen.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER CARROT CHIPS
These chips are crazy versatile. You can serve them with a sandwich, throw them on a snack board, or pile them next to dinner. I love dunking them in cool yogurt ranch or spicy sriracha mayo. If you want an easy appetizer spread, pair your chips with one or two of these:
- A bowl of hummus with olive oil and paprika on top
- Greek yogurt mixed with lemon, dill, and garlic
- BBQ sauce thinned with a splash of apple cider vinegar
- Honey mustard with a pinch of cayenne
- Warm marinara or pizza sauce for a fun twist
And if you want a little variety on the table, add a crunchy buddy like these air fryer onion rings. For a quick protein, I am a fan of these juicy air fryer lemon butter chicken bites. Hosting a game night? Put out a sweet option too, like these cinnamon sugar air fryer banana chips. In my house, a big tray of snacks disappears fast, especially when there is something salty, something sweet, and something saucy to tie it all together.
HOW DO YOU STORE AIR FRYER CARROT CHIPS?
Let the chips cool fully before you store them. If they are even a little warm, steam will make them soft. Once cool, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If they lose their crunch, revive them in the air fryer at 320 F for 2 to 3 minutes. They come back like magic.
Want to make them ahead? Slice and season the carrots, then keep them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Pat them dry again before cooking to remove any extra moisture. I would not freeze these, since they thaw a bit soggy. Fresh is best for that light, snappy texture you want from Air Fryer Carrot Chips.
Common Questions
How thin should I slice the carrots?
Go for very thin, about the thickness of a coin. Even slices give you even crisping.
Why do my chips burn?
They are probably sliced too thin or the temperature is too high. Drop to 350 F and watch during the last couple minutes.
Can I skip the oil?
Yes, but the chips will be drier and may not brown as well. A teaspoon of oil helps with flavor and crunch.
What seasonings are best?
Salt and pepper are classic. Try garlic powder, smoked paprika, or a little cinnamon for a sweet twist.
Can I use baby carrots?
Yes. Slice them lengthwise into thin ovals. Keep the thickness even so they cook at the same speed.
Your new favorite crunchy side
If you have been craving something crunchy that does not weigh you down, these chips are your answer. They are quick, flexible, and full of feel-good flavor. Try a classic salty batch first, then play with your seasonings the next time. If you want more ideas to compare or tweak, this simple take on Air Fryer Carrot Chips shows another way to season them, and these crisp Air Fryer Carrot Fries are a tasty shape-shift if you prefer sticks over coins. Either way, I hope your basket gives you the same happy crunch mine does.
Air Fryer Carrot Chips
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4-5 medium medium carrots, peeled Fresh, firm carrots work best.
- 1-1.5 teaspoons oil Avocado oil recommended for high smoke point.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt Season to taste.
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Optional Seasonings
- garlic powder For added flavor.
- smoked paprika For a smoky taste.
- cumin For a warm flavor.
- pinch of chili powder For a spicy kick.
Instructions
Preparation
- Peel the carrots and slice them into very thin coins using a sharp knife or a mandoline on the thinnest setting.
- Pat the slices dry on a towel to remove surface moisture.
- Toss the carrot slices with oil, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings for a light, even coat.
Cooking
- Spread the seasoned carrot slices in a single layer in a preheated air fryer basket at 360°F.
- Cook for 8 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket twice during cooking. Watch closely for the last 2 minutes.
- When the edges are browned and the centers feel firm, remove and let cool for a few minutes to fully crisp.
