Introduction

These air fryer carrot tots are a delicious and healthy twist on the classic snack. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they make a perfect appetizer or side dish that both kids and adults will love.

A close-up of seven golden-brown, crispy balls that look crunchy on the outside, placed inside a white square dish lined with green and white striped paper. To the right, a small white bowl contains a thick white dipping sauce, which contrasts with the warm tones of the balls. The dish is set on a white marbled surface. The texture on each ball looks rough with tiny darker spots from frying, showing a crunchy crust. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup finely grated carrots
⅓ cup finely shredded Mexican style cheese
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried minced onion
¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Brush the air fryer rack with olive oil and preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 2: Squeeze excess juice from the grated carrots and place them in a medium-sized bowl.
Step 3: Add the shredded cheese, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, minced onion, seasoned salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Stir until just combined; the mixture will seem dry, which is the right consistency.
Step 4: Scoop out the carrot mixture using a 1.5 tablespoon scoop and roll into balls. Place them evenly on the air fryer rack.
Step 5: Air fry at 375°F for 6-8 minutes, or until the tots are crispy and starting to brown on the outside. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, if desired.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, lightly spray the tots with olive oil before air frying.
Try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Substitute the Mexican cheese with cheddar or mozzarella for different flavors.
If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs work as well, but the texture may be softer.

Storage

Store leftover carrot tots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to regain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows several round, golden-brown fried balls with a rough, crispy texture placed on a green leaf inside a white dish. One ball is partly dipped into a small white cup filled with smooth, creamy white sauce. The balls have an uneven surface with small bits visible from frying. The background has a clean white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these carrot tots gluten-free?

Yes, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers instead of panko to make this recipe gluten-free.

Can I bake these instead of air frying?

Yes, bake them on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until they are golden and crispy.

Air Fryer Carrot Tots Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 82 reviews

These Air Fryer Carrot Tots are a healthy and delicious twist on traditional tater tots, using grated carrots combined with cheese and spices. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they’re perfect as a snack, side dish, or appetizer, made quickly and easily in the air fryer for a low-oil, flavorful bite.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Yield: Approximately 16 tots 1x
Category: Snack
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

Carrot Tots

1 cup finely grated carrots
⅓ cup finely shredded Mexican style cheese
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried minced onion
¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Additional

Olive oil (for brushing air fryer rack)
Your favorite dipping sauce (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Air Fryer: Brush the air fryer rack lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. Preheat the air fryer according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure an even cooking temperature.
Prepare Carrots: Grate carrots finely, then squeeze out the excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This helps the tots hold together and become crispy.
Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the drained shredded carrots with Mexican style cheese, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, dried minced onion, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Stir gently until just combined; the mixture will be dry but should hold together when formed.
Form Tots: Using a 1.5 tablespoon scoop or spoon, portion out the mixture and roll each into a small ball. Arrange the carrot tots evenly spaced on the prepared air fryer rack.
Air Fry: Cook the tots at 375°F (190°C) for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the outsides are crispy and beginning to brown. For best results, avoid overcrowding the rack to allow hot air circulation.
Serve: Remove tots from the air fryer and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, ranch, or a spicy mayo, if desired.

Notes

Squeezing out excess moisture from the carrots is essential to avoid soggy tots.
Use cheese of your choice—Mexican style blend adds flavor, but cheddar or mozzarella works well too.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer rack to ensure crispy tots.
If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs can be used but will yield slightly different texture.
Adjust seasoning to taste, especially if serving to children or those sensitive to spice.

Keywords: Air fryer carrot tots, healthy snacks, vegetable tots, air fried snacks, crispy carrot bites