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These parmesan roasted carrot fries are crispy around the edges, tender in the middle, and seasoned with za'atar for a savory, herby twist. Made with seven simple ingredients on one sheet pan, they're an easy side dish for busy weeknights or added to your holiday table spread!
Table of Contents
- Parmesan Roasted Carrot Fries with Za'atar
- Why you'll love this parmesan carrot fries recipe
- Simple ingredients you'll need
- How to make za'atar roasted carrot fries
- Recipe tips
- Serving suggestions
- Meal prep & storage
- Substitutions, optional variations & dietary adjustments
- FAQ
- More recipes you'll love
- Parmesan Roasted Carrot Fries with Za'atar Recipe
- Save this side dish recipe to Pinterest and make it later!
Parmesan Roasted Carrot Fries with Za'atar
I love finding new ways to make veggies taste fun and exciting, and these carrot fries are my new favorite way to do it!
Tossing carrots with parmesan cheese and za'atar turns a simple bag of carrots into a side dish that feels oh so special.
The parmesan gets golden and crispy in the oven, and the za'atar adds a savory, herby flavor that pairs SO well with the natural sweetness of the carrots.
I love them any time of the year for a quick weeknight dinner addition, but they also look so pretty on a Thanksgiving table. Easy side dish winner!
Why you'll love this parmesan carrot fries recipe
Crispy, cheesy edges - The parmesan cheese turns golden in the oven, so you get that crispy bite you love about traditional fries.
Big flavor from simple ingredients - Just carrots, avocado oil, parmesan, sea salt, za'atar, paprika, and black pepper. That's it!
A lighter fry swap - With just 1 tablespoon of oil for the whole pan, these are a great way to get more veggies in when you're craving fries.
Perfect for holidays or any night - They're an easy Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish, but simple enough for busy weeknights too.
Simple ingredients you'll need
Here's what you'll need to make these parmesan roasted carrot fries. You'll find the full amounts and nutrition information in the recipe card below.
- Carrots - Large carrots are the easiest to cut into fry shapes. Peel them first for the best texture.
- Avocado oil - It has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, so it's perfect for roasting. Olive oil works too.
- Parmesan cheese - Finely grated parmesan clings to the carrots and gets golden and crispy in the oven.
- Sea salt - Start with 1/2 teaspoon and add more to taste. Kosher salt is an easy swap.
- Za'atar - This Middle Eastern spice blend usually includes thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac. It adds a savory, slightly tangy flavor that makes these carrot fries stand out.
- Paprika - Adds a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a pretty pop of color to the crispy edges.
- Black pepper - A little freshly cracked black pepper rounds out all the flavors.
How to make za'atar roasted carrot fries
- Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks.
- Peel your carrots and cut them into carrot sticks about the size of fries. Try to keep them close to the same thickness so they roast evenly.
- Add the carrots to a large bowl and toss them with the avocado oil, parmesan cheese, sea salt, za'atar, paprika, and black pepper until every piece is coated.
- Spread the carrots out in a single layer on your prepared sheet pan. Give them some space, because crowded carrots steam instead of roast.
- Roast for 15 minutes, then give them a stir and spread them back into an even layer.
- Pop them back in the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the carrot fries are tender in the middle and crisp around the edges.
- Serve them right away while they're hot and crispy!
Recipe tips
- Cut the carrots into evenly sized sticks so they all finish roasting at the same time.
- Pat the carrots dry after peeling and rinsing so the oil and parmesan stick better.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. If your carrots are touching a lot, use two baking sheets.
- Toss everything in a large bowl instead of on the pan for the most even coating.
- Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes, since parmesan can go from golden to burnt quickly.
- Thinner sticks will get crispier, while thicker sticks will be more tender inside.
Serving suggestions
- Serve them as a side dish with za'atar roasted chicken, salmon, burgers, or steak.
- Add them to your Thanksgiving table next to the turkey for a colorful veggie side.
- Pair them with a dipping sauce like lemon dill yogurt sauce, kefir ranch, or chipotle mayo. A Greek yogurt dip adds a little extra protein too!
- Enjoy them on their own as a healthy snack or appetizer.
Love a good fry and dip combo? My crispy white sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo are a must-try, too!
Meal prep & storage
- Prep ahead: Peel and cut the carrots up to 3 days ahead and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Season and roast when you're ready to eat.
- Storage: Store leftover carrot fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 400 degrees F for a few minutes to bring back the crispy edges. The microwave works in a pinch, but they'll be softer.
- Freezing: These are best enjoyed fresh, since freezing makes the carrots soft once thawed.
Substitutions, optional variations & dietary adjustments
Below you'll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this parmesan roasted carrot fries recipe.
Avocado oil - Swap the avocado oil for olive oil or melted butter.
Sea salt - Use kosher salt in place of sea salt, adding a little at a time to taste.
No za'atar - Use a mix of garlic powder, dried thyme, and dried oregano instead.
Garlic parmesan - Add a sprinkle of garlic powder along with the za'atar for crispy garlic parmesan carrot fries.
Add some heat - Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
Air fryer - Cook in a single layer in your air fryer basket at 400 degrees F, shaking the basket halfway through. Since air fryers vary, start checking them around 12 minutes.
Sweet potatoes - Swap the carrots for sweet potato fries. They may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
Dairy free - Skip the parmesan and use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Gluten free - This recipe is naturally gluten free. Just double check the label on your za'atar blend.
Vegetarian - Traditional parmesan is made with animal rennet, so look for a vegetarian parmesan style cheese if needed.
If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!
FAQ
The most common reason is an overcrowded pan. Spread the carrots out in a single layer with space between them, pat them dry before seasoning, and roast until the edges are golden.
Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that usually includes thyme, oregano, sumac, and toasted sesame seeds. It has an herby, slightly tangy flavor and is delicious on roasted veggies.
Yes! Air fry them in a single layer at 400 degrees F, shaking the basket halfway through. Cook time will depend on your air fryer and how thick the carrots are.
Peeling gives the best texture and helps the parmesan stick, but you can leave the peel on if you scrub the carrots well.
Carrot fries are roasted instead of fried and use just 1 tablespoon of oil for the whole pan, so they're a lighter option that still satisfies that fry craving.
More recipes you'll love
- Maple glazed oven roasted carrots
- Easy + healthy roasted broccoli and carrots
- Crispy white sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo
If you try this parmesan roasted carrot fries recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!
XO
Heather
Parmesan Roasted Carrot Fries with Za'atar
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into fry shapes
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 to 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp za'atar
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet or sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Prep the carrots. Peel the carrots and cut them into carrot sticks or fry shapes.
- Season. In a large bowl, toss the carrots with avocado oil, parmesan cheese, sea salt, za'atar, paprika, and black pepper.
- Spread them out. Arrange the carrots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Be sure not to overcrowd them so they can roast instead of steam.
- Roast. Roast for 15 minutes.
- Stir and finish. Stir the carrots and spread them back into an even layer. Continue roasting for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the carrot fries are tender and crisp around the edges.
- Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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