1. Prep the carrots

• Peel the carrots and cut them into uniform sticks, about ¼-inch thick and 3–4 inches long, similar to standard French fries.
• Pat the carrot sticks dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture—this helps ensure crispiness.

2. Toss with starch

• Place the carrot sticks in a large bowl and sprinkle with cornstarch or arrowroot starch.
• Toss until evenly coated. This light coating helps absorb moisture and promotes a crispy finish.

3. Add oil and seasoning

• Drizzle olive oil over the carrots and toss again.
• Add garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, cumin (if using), salt, and black pepper.
• Toss to coat the carrots evenly with the oil and spices.

4. Bake the carrot fries

• Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F).
• Arrange the carrot sticks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they aren’t overlapping.
• Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy on the edges.
• If desired, broil for the last 2 minutes for extra crispness—watch carefully to avoid burning.

5. Air fry option

• Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
• Place carrot sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.

6. Serve hot

• Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.