Here we go, rounding the corner and heading into the third weekend in January featuring lightened up dishes. These spiced baked carrot French fries check all the boxes. Comforting, spicy, hint of sweet and heat and beta carotene (yes there is a box for this)! Oh, and if you are on some diet, cleanse, lifestyle change, what have you, like Keto, Whole 30, Paleo and the Hare Program (that would be when you eat like a rabbit for 30 days…just kidding, no such thing…yet 😉 ) These fries won’t throw you off your plan! You may eat the whole lot in one sitting, but hey, your eyes will thank you!
There is just something so comforting about a basket of fries. But not so comforting when you think about the negative health benefits after you polish off that whole basket on your own! They just came out with what an actual serving size of French fries is, like 6 fries! Seriously, who orders fries and on that 5th fry says, woo, I am getting so full, but I can only have one more! Said nobody! Well, no need to ration out only 6 measly carrot fries, eat em’ all! Now I am not delusional, they are not deep fried and don’t taste exactly the same. Buttt, they are delicious, they do scratch that itch and satisfy a craving and dare I say in some cases, better than the deep fried, empty calorie versions! I do dare, I dare you, I double dog dare you.
Any who, I digress and that’s a lot of D’s. Back to these fries. They are simple, quick and delicious. Just pick up some large carrots, peel and slice into French fry size, lightly toss with avocado oil, liberally apply spice mix and bake.
25 minutes later you will be noshing on fresh out of the oven, little dippers that will make you feel like you are indulging, but really you are just indulging your senses and doing good for your body! If you have kids this would be a great way to get some veggies in their system too!
Top with vegan “parmesan” (nutritional yeast, cashews, onion and garlic powder ground in a food processor) and some sea salt. I used white truffle sea salt because I am super fancy!
So, go ahead, jump on the Hare Program band wagon and whip up these fries any time of day that you can actually feel good about!
Enjoy!
Diane
- 4 to 5 large carrots
- 2 tbsp. avocado oil (can sub olive oil)
- Spice Mix
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp. chili powder
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. cayenne
- ¼ tsp. cumin
- ⅛ tsp. cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp. all spice
- ⅛ tsp. ground mustard
- Sea salt for finishing
- Garnish with parsley
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with tinfoil or parchment paper. Top with wire rack if you have one.
- In a small bowl mix the baking powder with the spices and set aside.
- Peel and slice the carrots into French fry size pieces and place in a medium bowl.
- Lightly toss carrots with avocado oil until all the carrots are coated.
- Liberally coat and toss the carrots with the spice mixture until all the carrots have been spiced (I used the whole mixture).
- Place the carrots on the baking sheet rack evenly and not touching. Bake the fries for 25 minutes. If you don't have a baking rack, toss the fries half-way through cooking time.
- Broil the fries for 3 to 5 minutes on high. Watch carefully. Remove from oven and sprinkle with sea salt and garnish with parsley.
- Enjoy!
