# Carrots cooking times

How long to cook carrots: **5–8 min boiled, 6–10 min steamed, 4–6 min in the microwave and 30–40 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan)**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/carrots-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook carrots

Times are for 500 g, for 4.

Carrots: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (Sliced or batons) | 5–8 min | in boiling salted water | Whole baby carrots take 8–10 minutes. |
| [Steam](https://feastflow.co.uk/steaming-times) (Sliced or batons) | 6–10 min | over simmering water | – |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) (Sliced) | 4–6 min | on full power, covered | With 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) (Roasted) | 30–40 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Halved lengthways or in thick batons, tossed in oil; a drizzle of honey for the last 10 minutes. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) (Batons) | 12–16 min | 200°C (400°F) | Batons tossed in a teaspoon of oil; shake halfway. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) (Glazed) | 10–12 min | over a medium heat | Glazed: simmer slices with butter, a pinch of sugar and water just to cover until the water has gone and they shine. |
| [Pressure cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/pressure-cooker-cooking-times) (Sliced) | 2–3 min | on high pressure | Thick slices on a trivet with 250 ml water; quick release. |

## Before you start

Peel or scrub, then cut into even slices (5 mm), batons or halves. Small or baby carrots can stay whole.

## How to tell it’s done

A knife goes in easily but the carrot still holds its shape.

## Questions

### How long to boil carrots?

Sliced or batons: 5–8 min in boiling salted water. Whole baby carrots take 8–10 minutes.

### How long to steam carrots?

Sliced or batons: 6–10 min over simmering water.

### How long to microwave carrots?

Sliced: 4–6 min on full power, covered. With 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway.

### How long to cook carrots in the oven?

Roasted: 30–40 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Halved lengthways or in thick batons, tossed in oil; a drizzle of honey for the last 10 minutes.

### How long to cook carrots in an air fryer?

Batons: 12–16 min at 200°C (400°F). Batons tossed in a teaspoon of oil; shake halfway.

### How long to pan-fry carrots?

Glazed: 10–12 min over a medium heat. Glazed: simmer slices with butter, a pinch of sugar and water just to cover until the water has gone and they shine.

### How long to cook carrots in a pressure cooker?

Sliced: 2–3 min on high pressure. Thick slices on a trivet with 250 ml water; quick release.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/