Carrots in the Air Fryer
Carrots are easy to get wrong. Boiled, they are watery, and in the oven they take 40 minutes to caramelise. Air fryer carrots are ready in about 16 minutes, with browned, slightly sticky edges and a soft, sweet middle. This recipe uses honey and thyme, and the method also works for baby carrots, carrot and parsnip roasts and plain salted carrots without any sweetener.
- Temperature
- 190°C
- Total time
- 24min
- Prep
- 8min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 110kcal
Why the air fryer works for carrots
Air fryer carrots caramelise much faster than oven-roasted ones. Carrots are full of natural sugar, and the dry, circulating air draws moisture from the surface, which concentrates that sugar and browns the edges. You get the sweet, slightly chewy outside and tender middle of a long roast in about 16 minutes, with no need to turn the oven on.
You can air fry carrots whole if they are small, or as batons or slices, but even pieces matter more than anything else. A basket cooks small batches faster than an oven tray, so a portion for four people takes one basket-load. Carrots in an air fryer need just a spoonful of oil, and honey is added only at the end so it glazes without burning.
How to make carrots in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the carrots Scrub or peel the carrots and trim the ends. Cut them into batons about 1 cm thick and 7 cm long, or halve thin carrots lengthways. Even pieces are what make them cook at the same rate.
- Season Toss the carrots in a bowl with the oil, salt, pepper and thyme until they are lightly coated.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 190 °C for .
- Cook Put the carrots in the basket in a single layer and cook for , shaking the basket after .
- Glaze Drizzle the honey over the carrots, toss them quickly and cook for 3–5 more minutes, until the edges are browned and a knife slides easily into the thickest piece.
- Serve Tip the carrots onto a plate and scrape any sticky honey from the basket over the top. Serve while they are warm.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Carrots | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Honey roast carrot batonsAdd honey for the last 4 minutes | 190 °C | 15–18 min |
| Whole baby carrots | 190 °C | 14–16 min |
| Thin carrot slices | 200 °C | 10–12 min |
| Carrots and parsnipsCut the same thickness | 190 °C | 16–20 min |
| Plain salted carrots, no honey | 190 °C | 14–16 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Cut to the same size. Carrots of different thickness will not finish together. Halve thick carrots lengthways before cutting them into batons.
- Glaze late. Honey, maple syrup and brown sugar all burn quickly. Add them for the last 3–5 minutes only.
- Do not peel baby carrots. Just scrub them and trim the tops. The skin crisps up in the air fryer and holds the moisture in.
Serving
Serve air fryer carrots with a Sunday-style plate of roast chicken or pork loin, or as one of several sides with broccoli and mini potatoes. Cooked carrots from the air fryer are also good with hummus, or chopped through a grain salad with feta. See the vegetables page for more ideas. Parsnips cook in the same way and make a good partner for roast carrots.
Storing and reheating
Cooked carrots keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat them, cook in the air fryer at 180 °C for 3–4 minutes, until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). If you want to air fry carrots for a meal prep, cook them without honey and add it when reheating.
Variations
- Carrots and parsnips: Replace half the carrots with parsnip batons of the same thickness and cook for 16–20 minutes.
- Spiced carrots: Swap the thyme for ½ tsp cumin and ½ tsp smoked paprika and finish with chopped coriander and a squeeze of lemon.
- Honey roast carrots, Sunday style: Add 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar and a few thyme sprigs to the honey for a deeper, tangy glaze that suits a roast dinner.
Troubleshooting
- The carrots are hard in the middle
- The pieces were too thick or uneven. Cut them 1 cm thick, and add 3–4 minutes for thicker batons. Check with a knife, as the outside browns before the centre softens.
- The honey burns
- Honey scorches quickly in a hot basket. Add it only for the last 3–5 minutes, or toss the cooked carrots in it in a warm bowl.
- The carrots are dry and wrinkled
- They have been cooked for too long or without oil. Use at least 1 tsp of oil per 200 g of carrots and check them 2 minutes before the end.
Frequently asked questions
How long do carrots take in an air fryer?
Carrot batons 1 cm thick take 15–18 minutes at 190 °C, shaken halfway. Thin slices need 10–12 minutes, and whole baby carrots 14–16 minutes.
What temperature should you roast carrots in an air fryer?
190 °C is a good all-round setting, giving browned edges and a soft middle. Use 200 °C for thin slices and 180 °C for thick chunks.
Can you cook carrots in the air fryer without oil?
You can, but they will be drier and chewier. A teaspoon of oil per portion keeps them tender and helps the seasoning and honey stick.
Can you cook carrots and parsnips together in an air fryer?
Yes. Cut them the same thickness and cook at 190 °C for 16–20 minutes, shaking halfway. Parsnips brown faster, so add the honey in the last 4 minutes.
Do you need to boil carrots before air frying?
No. Raw batons cook all the way through in 15–18 minutes, and skipping the boiling gives better flavour and browning.
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