It's Possible – And Simple – To Make Crispy Carrot Fries

Carrots are one of the most versatile vegetables out there. They can be either sweet or savory. You can prepare them by roasting, mashing, shredding them into a salad, or baking them into a cake. They also come in multiple shapes, sizes, and colors. Some even consider carrots to be the ultimate healthy ingredient. It's no wonder that carrots are a favorite vegetable of parents as well. Their naturally sweet flavor makes them appealing to kids, and they are one of the first foods a baby can eat (via Solid Starts). Chock full of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, carrots can help parents avoid the dinnertime battle over getting their kids to eat their veggies. 

One way to prepare carrots that will delight folks of all ages is by making carrot fries. When cut into sticks and roasted, carrot fries can offer a tasty and healthy substitute for french fries. However, without the same natural starch content as potatoes, carrot fries can run the risk of ending up soft and soggy. With just one easy trick, it's both possible and simple to make crispy carrot fries that will give other fries a run for their money.

The key to getting the perfect, fry-like texture is to make up for the lack of naturally occurring starch by coating your carrot fries in cornstarch before roasting them.

Start by peeling your carrots and then cutting them into fry-sized sticks. Next, toss them in cornstarch before coating them in oil. From there, the final flavoring is up to you. Some people suggest using smoked paprika to balance the sweetness. Other spices that work well with a carrot's earthy, naturally sweet flavor are cumin, garlic, ginger, and even cardamom.

After using this method, you'll end up with carrots that are tender on the inside with a crispy fry coating on the exterior. Serve them with any sauce you'd also serve with fries — ketchup, ranch, or honey mustard. You can even try an unexpectedly tasty fry sauce called pindasaus, a peanut butter-based condiment from Indonesia that's popular in the Netherlands. Whether you're trying to get your kids to eat their veggies or looking for a healthier alternative to French fries, these crispy carrot fries are definitely worth a try.