September 21, 2020

Baked Carrot Fries

Seasoned with cumin, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, baked carrot fries are proof that you don't need a vat of oil for tasty fries. Just an oven and a sheet pan.

Seasoned with cumin, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, baked carrot fries are proof that you don’t need a vat of oil for tasty fries. Just an oven and a sheet pan.

For better or worse, we are a family of snackers.

Since my childhood I have spoiled lots of meals with too many nibbles too close to dinner.

I’m not proud of it, but I’m exactly not ashamed either.

We’ve all been there when hunger strikes at an off hour, and you feel like you’re going to turn hangry unless you consume something.

My mom would call me a monster that needs to be fed. And she’s absolutely right!

It’s funny how kids take on specific personality traits of their parents.

My six-year-old has the snack gene.

I never go anywhere without a container of food for him for fear of the transformation into the snack monster.

It’s our joke that mom will get in trouble if she forgets the snacks.

The other requirement is that it has to be a “mix of snacks.” That means 3 different kinds. I made the mistake of suggesting that once. The trio has become a permanent thing.

Usually I try to be a thoughtful eater and not mindlessly munch the crackers or pretzels that I am feeding my son, but in the last few weeks I’ve been slipping back to bad habits.

I figured it was time to be a better role model in the food department and remind him that snacks aren’t always packaged.

They can involve vegetables!

The Best Baked Vegetable Fries

It’s no secret that I love oven fries.

From sweet potatoes to russet potatoes, with the right combination spices, you don’t need a tub of oil to satisfy your French fry craving.

But I’ve been trying other vegetables besides potatoes, and I am in love with baked carrot fries.

Carrots are a fantastic veggie to roast. Instead of slicing them into coins, why not cut them into batons for fries?

The Ingredients

This is what you need for this carrot fries recipe:

Carrots: You can use any color carrots from orange to white to purple. Just peel them, trim the ends and slice them into batons.
Dried seasoning mix: For any oven fry recipe, the spice mix is key. You want it to add flavor and a touch of heat. I use a combination of cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Olive oil: I stir olive oil into the dried seasonings to create spiced oil that easily coats the carrots.
Non-stick cooking spray: To make sure the carrots don’t stick to the sheet pan, I do use non-stick cooking spray.
Fresh herbs: Before serving the fries, I finish them with chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or chives.

How To Make Baked Carrot Fries

To make these baked carrot fries, I peel 1-1/2 pounds of carrots.

Then I cut down the carrots into 3 to 4-inch long sticks that are around a half-inch thick.

In a large bowl, I combine ground cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

I stir olive oil into the spice mix and add the carrots. To get every surface coated, I like to use my hands to toss around the carrots in the bowl.

Next I line up the carrots on a sheet pan greased with non-stick cooking spray. It’s important that the carrots do not overlap.

They roast for 22-30 minutes in a 450-degree F oven. I make sure to turn them halfway through cooking, so they have a chance to brown on both sides.

How To Serve Carrot Fries

Baked carrot fries are best eaten warm.

I like to sprinkle them with whatever fresh herbs I have in my kitchen like parsley, chives and cilantro.

Besides a snack, I will serve carrot fries as a side dish with roasted chicken or turkey. And they are perfect with black bean burgers.

If you’re wondering whether my son has tried the fries yet, the answer is no. He’s not much of a fry guy or a carrot fan.

I am holding out hope that he’ll come around to vegetables just like I did. It may take a while, but I’m being patient and still trying!