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Air Fryer Carrot Tots Recipe

4.8 from 74 reviews

These Air Fryer Carrot Tots are a crispy, flavorful, and healthy snack made with grated carrots, cheese, and seasoned breadcrumbs. Perfectly air-fried to a golden brown, they offer a delightful alternative to traditional potato tots with a cheesy and slightly seasoned bite. Ready in under 20 minutes, they’re an easy, kid-friendly appetizer or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Carrot Tot Mixture

  • 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

For Cooking

  • Olive oil (for brushing air fryer rack)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Air Fryer: Brush the air fryer rack lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually to 375°F.
  2. Prepare Carrots: Squeeze out excess juice from the grated carrots to avoid sogginess. Place the drained carrots into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
  3. Mix Ingredients: Add the shredded Mexican style cheese, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, dried minced onion, seasoned salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the grated carrots. Stir gently until just combined. The mixture will be somewhat dry, which is the desired consistency to hold the tots together.
  4. Form Tots: Use a 1.5 tablespoon scoop to portion out the mixture, then roll each portion into a small ball. Place each carrot tot onto the pre-oiled air fryer rack in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch for even cooking.
  5. Air Fry the Carrot Tots: Cook at 375°F for 6-8 minutes, or until the outsides are crispy and beginning to brown. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce if desired.

Notes

  • Squeezing excess moisture from the grated carrots is essential to prevent soggy tots.
  • You can substitute the Mexican style cheese with cheddar or mozzarella for different flavor profiles.
  • Using panko breadcrumbs provides extra crispness; regular breadcrumbs can be used but may yield a softer texture.
  • These tots are best eaten immediately to enjoy maximum crispiness.
  • If your air fryer rack doesn’t allow oil brushing, lightly spray with cooking spray instead.

Keywords: air fryer carrot tots, carrot snacks, healthy tots, crispy carrot bites, vegetarian snack