Air Fryer Roasted Carrots are a simple and delicious side dish that is perfect for any occasion. The air fryer cooks the carrots to tender perfection, with a slightly caramelized exterior and served with a sprinkle of shredded smoked Gouda cheese.
To finish the dish, shredded smoked Gouda cheese is added on top, creating a delightful smoky and savory flavor profile.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
The fresh carrots are coated in a simple blend of herbs and spices first. They emerge from the air fryer perfectly tender-crisp on the outside, while retaining a delightful, natural sweetness within.
Topped with shredded smoked Gouda cheese, these savory roasted carrots are sure to become a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering.
- Quick and easy: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
- Flavorful: The air fryer roasting process concentrates the natural sweetness of the carrots, while the smoked Gouda cheese adds a touch of smokiness and savoriness.
- Versatile: This recipe can be easily customized to your liking. Try adding different herbs and spices, or using a different type of cheese.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Fresh Carrots: Packed with beta-carotene, vitamin A, and fiber, carrots offer a healthy and delicious foundation for this dish.
- Smoked Gouda Cheese: This unique cheese adds a smoky depth of flavor that complements the sweetness of the carrots beautifully. Its creamy texture creates a delightful contrast to the crispy exterior of the carrots.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make This Recipe
Imagine arranging these vibrant orange beauties on a rustic wooden board, alongside other finger foods, for a charming and effortless buffet spread.
Not only are they visually appealing, but this recipe is also surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights or when you want to impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
So, grab your air fryer and get ready to experience the magic of perfectly roasted carrots elevated with herbs and smoky Gouda cheese!
Peel and Cut The Carrots
- Cut the carrots in 2-3 inch pieces and place them in a medium sized bowl.
- Drizzle the carrots with olive oil, add the salt and pepper, and toss until coated.
Roast In the Air Fryer
- Transfer the carrots to the basket of your air fryer and cook for 10 minutes at 350F. (Cook in batches if you have too much for your air fryer all at once.)
- Toss the carrots and add half of the grated smoked Gouda cheese return to the air fryer.
Remove When Tender and Caramelized
- Remove the carrots from the air fryer when they are slightly caramelized on the outside and fork tender, about 5 minutes (total cook time is 12 to 16 minutes, depending one quantity in the air fryer, and size of air fryer basket).
Arrange on a Wooden Serving Board
"Boards" are a popular way of presenting food, and you've likely seen frosting boards, cheese board, or butter boards. These air fried carrots look stunning presented the same way, along with some tongs for guests to serve themselves.
- Transfer the air fried carrots to a serving bowl, or spread out on a large wooden cutting or serving board (perfect for rustic self-serve or entertaining).
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations when making this side dish recipe.
- You can use any type of carrot for this recipe, such as baby carrots, rainbow carrots, or purple carrots.
- If you don't have smoked Gouda cheese, you can use another type of cheese, such as cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, or goat cheese.
- To add a bit of sweetness, you can sprinkle the carrots with a little bit of honey or maple syrup before air frying them.
- For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making these air fryer roasted carrots:
- Be sure to cut the carrots into evenly sized sticks so that they cook evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will prevent the carrots from cooking evenly.
- If your carrots are starting to brown too quickly, you can lower the temperature of the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
Serving Suggestions
These Air Fryer Roasted Carrots are a great side dish for a variety of main courses, such as chicken, fish, or pork. They can also be served as a snack or appetizer.
Spread the roasted carrots out on a wooden serving board with other small plate and appetizers at a potluck or buffet-style gathering for a stunning presentation!
Related Recipes
- Country Style Boneless Pork Ribs
- Ninja Foodi Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast
- Warm Brussel Sprout Salad w Maple Dressing
- Challah Rolls
- Pistachio Crusted Salmon
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite air fryers I have used when making my air fryer recipes.
This versatile kitchen appliance allows for healthier cooking with minimal oil, resulting in crispy and flavorful carrots without the added fat of deep-frying.
Air fryers are available in family sized to single serving size appliances, so you can find one that is suited for your family's needs.
- Gourmia Digital Air Fryer 6 quart - This basket style air fryer will handle four frozen waffles in the air fryer.
- Ninja Foodie Pro Air Fryer - Folds up out of the way on your counter.
- Nuwave Air Fryer 3 quart - This compact basket air fryer is perfect for singles or a small family of 2 or 3. You can air fry two frozen waffles in 4 minutes.
- Oil Sprayer - This is a perfect sprayer for spritzing a light coating of oil on vegetables, meats, and other prepared frozen foods before air frying. The tiny amount of oil ensures you get as amazing results as deep frying and roasting, with a fraction of the calories and splatter!
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftover roasted carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat them gently in the air fryer or oven until warmed through.
- It's not recommended to freeze this recipe due to the potential change in texture of the carrots and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's rarely necessary to preheat your air fryer, as it's so small. If you are short on time, you can skip the preheating step.
You can roast the carrots in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and caramelized.
Yes, you can use pre-cut carrots for this recipe. However, be sure to cut them into evenly sized sticks so that they cook evenly.
Baby carrots will cook faster than regular carrots. You will likely only need to air fry them for 10-12 minutes.
More Delish Ideas
Air Fryer Roasted Carrots with Smoked Gouda
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Carrots topped, peeled, and cut
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper ground
- 4 oz Gouda smoked, shredded, divided
- Parsley for garnish, chopped
Instructions
- Cut the carrots in 2-3 inch pieces and place them in a medium sized bowl.1 lb Carrots
- Drizzle the carrots with olive oil, add the salt and pepper, and toss until coated.2 tablespoon Olive oil, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- Transfer the carrots to the basket of your air fryer and cook for 10 minutes at 350F. (Cook in batches if you have too much for your air fryer all at once.)
- Toss the carrots and sprinkle half of the grated smoked Gouda cheese, and return to the air fryer for an additional 5 minutes.4 oz Gouda
- Remove the carrots from the air fryer when they are slightly caramelized on the outside and fork tender. Total cook time will be 18 to 20 minutes, depending on quantity in the air fryer and size of basket. Check to ensure the cheese does not burn.
- Transfer the air fried carrots to a serving bowl, or spread out on a large wooden cutting or serving board (perfect for rustic self-serve or entertaining) and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.Parsley
Notes
- For a completely oil-free option, use cooking spray instead of olive oil.
- Ensure the carrots are cut into similar sizes for even cooking.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can hinder air circulation and prevent even browning.
- Shake the basket occasionally during air frying to promote even cooking and browning.
- Add the cheese halfway through the roasting to prevent burning.
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