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. You don’t have to air fry either. 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 a 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.

Healthier French Fries

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 and still taste like something indulgent. That’s what these crispy baked carrot fries do. And carrots are packed with antioxidants, beta-carotene and fiber.

The Best Baked Vegetable Fries

It’s no secret that I am obsessed with 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. You don’t need an air fryer basket either. Your oven can take care of it.

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. So instead of slicing them into coins, why not cut them into batons for fries?

The Ingredients

This is what you need for the 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 the 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

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Use non-stick cooking spray to grease a baking sheet. You don’t need parchment paper.
Prep the carrots. Peel them and trim the ends. Slice the carrots into batons that are 1/2-inch thick and 3 to 4 inches long.
Put the spices and olive oil in a large bowl, stirring so they are fully combined.
Add the carrots to the spiced oil. Toss them around to make sure they are all coated.
Spread the carrots across the sheet pan. They should be in a single layer and not overlapping.
Bake the carrots for 22-30 minutes, flipping halfway through baking. The fries should be browned on both sides and crisp at the edges.
Garnish with chopped fresh herbs before serving.

Serving The 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. Don’t skip this. If you are looking for a dipping sauce, try ketchup, spicy mayo or even pesto.

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.

More Healthy Fry Recipes

Baked Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
Oven-Baked Garlic French Fries
Baked Zucchini Fries