Air Fryer Honey Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick sticks or coins
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder optional
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional but lovely
- 1 –2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice optional, for brightness
- Chopped fresh parsley or thyme for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). A hot basket helps the carrots caramelize faster and cook evenly.
- Prep the carrots. Peel and slice into even pieces—aim for 1/2-inch thickness. Uniform size means everything cooks at the same pace.
- Make the glaze. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, melted butter, salt, black pepper, and any optional spices you’re using.The oil thins the honey so it coats the carrots well.
- Toss to coat. Add the carrots to the bowl and toss until every piece is glossy and well covered. Don’t leave clumps of honey at the bottom.
- Arrange in the basket. Spread carrots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. A little overlap is fine, but avoid piling them up.Work in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 12–16 minutes, shaking halfway. At the 7–8 minute mark, shake the basket or use tongs to turn the carrots. Cook until fork-tender with caramelized edges. Thicker pieces may need a couple more minutes.
- Finish with lemon (optional). Transfer to a serving bowl and add a small squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the sweetness.Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or thyme for color and a fresh note. Serve warm.