Carotenoids have been recognized for their potential health benefits due to their antioxidant properties. There is limited research on the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and carotenoids. This study aimed to investigate the effect of carotenoid intake on the risk of MAFLD. We retrospectively analyzed 2722 adults aged ≥ 18 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018. Hepatic steatosis was identified by elastography, and carotenoid consumption was evaluated through two 24-hour dietary recall interviews. Weighted logistic regression models, subgroup analyses, and restricted cubic splines were used for analyses. The weighted prevalence of MAFLD was 51.90%. Weighted logistic regression analysis demonstrated that intake of β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene was associated with a lower risk of MAFLD after adjusting for various covariates. Compared to the lowest tertile, a significant inverse correlation was observed between the highest total lycopene intake and MAFLD among females in the gender subgroup analysis. Restricted cubic spline regression analysis revealed a U-shaped association between lycopene consumption and MAFLD risk (P < .001), with an inflection point of approximately 9.48 mg/day. Moreover, the nonlinear relationship was particularly significant in females and absent in males. In summary, increased β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene consumption was associated with a decreased risk of MAFLD. The relationship between total lycopene intake and MAFLD was nonlinear, primarily in females. These findings have significant implications for the potential prevention and management of MAFLD.