Spicy carrot fries give you everything you love about sweet potato fries, with a sweeter vegetable and a fierier finish. Thick carrot slices roast until tender, then get tossed in a zippy blend of garlic, lime, cumin, coriander, and jalapeño puréed with olive oil. One more quick bake and they're ready to steal the plate.
Spicy Carrot Fries
Nothing is better than a sweet and spicy treat during dinner, and these Spicy Carrot Fries provide just that. Similar to a sweet potato fry, this recipe adds salt and spice to a sweet vegetable, and the results are phenomenal! These fries are a healthy, nutritious addition to any meal, and are satisfying to even the hardest-to-please palates. If you love the taste of this recipe but want to try something different, chop the carrots into chunks and coat them with the spicy marinade for a carrot-style home-fry recipe!
Serves 6
12 large carrots, peeled and cut into thick slices
1 tablespoon plus 1⁄4 cup (960 ml) olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1⁄2 jalapeño, chopped
1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice
1 teaspoon (5 ml) cumin
1 teaspoon (5 ml) coriander
1⁄2 teaspoon (10 ml) crushed red pepper flakes
1⁄4 teaspoon (20 ml) cayenne pepper
Dash salt and pepper
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Mix carrots with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil, and bake for 20 minutes.
- Place all other ingredients (except for the 1⁄4 cup (960 ml) olive oil) in a food processor or blender, and begin blending on low, while slowly adding the olive oil. Continue until evenly combined and smooth. Coat the cooked carrots with the seasoning mixture, tossing until evenly coated. Bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Pro Tips
- Roast the carrots 20 minutes before saucing — they need the head start to soften before the spice coating goes on.
- Blend the garlic, lime, and spices with the olive oil slowly until smooth; the emulsified sauce clings to the carrots far better than a dry rub.
- The final 5-minute bake sets the coating and caramelizes the edges — don't skip it.
- For a carrot-style home fry, cut the carrots into chunks instead of thick slices and roast them in the same spicy marinade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy are these carrot fries?
Jalapeño, red pepper flakes, and cayenne give a solid kick against the carrots' sweetness. Halve the cayenne for a milder side.
Can I make them ahead?
They're best straight from the oven, but leftovers reheat well at 400°F for a few minutes to bring back the edges.
Are carrot fries healthier than potato fries?
They're roasted rather than fried and packed with vitamin A — a nutritious addition to any meal that still feels like a treat.
What do they go with?
They're a perfect side for burgers or grilled meats, and they satisfy even the hardest-to-please palates at the table.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Mix carrots with 1 tablespoon oil, and bake for 20 minutes.
- Place all other ingredients (except for the 1⁄4 cup olive oil) in a food processor or blender, and begin blending on low, while slowly adding the olive oil.
- Continue until evenly combined and smooth.
- Coat the cooked carrots with the seasoning mixture, tossing until evenly coated.
- Bake for an additional 5 minutes.
