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Caramelized Air Fryer Roasted Carrots That Steal the Show

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If you’re looking for a veggie side dish that’s fast, flavorful, and just a little bit fancy, these Air Fryer Roasted Carrots with Honey and Thyme are about to be your new go-to. They come out perfectly tender with golden edges and a sweet-savory glaze that makes them hard to resist. Whether serving them alongside a weeknight chicken dinner or plating them up for a holiday meal, these carrots always get compliments.

air fryer roasted carrots

Air Fryer Roasted Carrots

One of the best things about this recipe is that it takes just minutes to prep and only 20 minutes in the air fryer. You can pair them with mains like air fryer pork chops or slow cooker pot roast, or round out your veggie game with other sides like crockpot mashed potatoes or instant pot brown sugar carrots. It’s a solid little recipe to keep in your back pocket year-round.

And let’s be real—roasting carrots in the oven is great, but doing it in the air fryer saves time and frees up oven space. Plus, the glaze of butter, honey, and thyme gives these carrots serious restaurant-quality flavor without the effort.

Air Fryer Roasted Carrots

What You Will Love About This Recipe

That caramelized glaze – The honey and butter give the carrots a golden, slightly sticky finish that’s chef’s kiss.


Fast and air fryer-friendly – 20 minutes and you’re done.


Kid-approved – Sweet enough to tempt even picky eaters.


Simple ingredients, big flavor – Pantry basics turn this into something special.


Perfect for weeknights or holidays – Dress it up or keep it casual!

Air Fryer Roasted Carrots

What do I need to get started?

  • Whole carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces. You can use baby carrots as well, but I found the chopped whole carrots contained much better flavor.
  • Butter. 
  • Honey.
  • Fresh thyme. Dried can be used as well, but I always prefer fresh.
  • Salt and pepper.

How to make Roasted Carrots in the Air Fryer

Start by preparing all ingredients. Melt the butter, pick thyme leaves off the stem, peel the carrots, then chop them into 1-inch pieces. 

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey, half the thyme leaves, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Add in the carrots and toss to coat.

Air Fryer Roasted Carrots

Preheat the air fryer to 375. Generously spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray, or even olive oil or avocado oil. Add the carrots and sauce into the air fryer in a single layer and roast for 20 minutes, or until tender and lightly caramelized. Shake the basket after 10 minutes of roasting, to ensure even doneness.

Air Fryer Roasted Carrots

Once the carrots are finished, remove them from the air fryer and sprinkle with more time. Reserve the accumulated juices from the air fryer for serving.

Air Fryer Roasted Carrots

Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t skip the shake! Shaking halfway through helps all the carrots roast evenly.
  • Use similar-sized pieces – Cutting your carrots to a uniform 1-inch size ensures they cook at the same rate.
  • No fresh thyme? Dried thyme works perfectly—just reduce the amount since it’s more concentrated.
  • Double it if needed – If you’re cooking for a crowd, roast in batches so they don’t steam.
  • Save those juices – Pour that buttery glaze over the carrots just before serving for extra flavor.
Air Fryer Roasted Carrots

FAQs

Absolutely! Baby carrots work just fine, but they may need a couple extra minutes to caramelize since they have more moisture.

Yes! Preheating helps get that golden, roasted texture right from the start.

You sure can. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to revive that roasted magic.

Rosemary, parsley, or even a pinch of chili flakes can switch things up if you’re out of thyme.

Air Fryer Roasted Carrots
air fryer carrots

Air Fryer Carrots

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

These Air Fryer Roasted Carrots are perfectly cooked in the air fryer and dripping with a delectable honey thyme sauce. This side dish is a wonderful addition to your holiday table and fits every season!

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Whole Carrots (Washed, Peeled, Cut into 1 inch pieces)
  • 6 Tablespoons Butter, Melted
  • ¼ Cup Honey
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme Leaves, or 1 Teaspoon Dried
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey, half the thyme leaves, salt & pepper. Add prepared carrots, toss to coat.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 375℉. Add carrots and sauce to the air fryer basket and roast for 20 minutes, or until tender and lightly caramelized. Shake halfway through roasting to ensure even doneness.
  3. Once done, remove from the air fryer basket and sprinkle with more thyme leaves. Reserve the accumulated juices for serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 199Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 356mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 5gSugar: 17gProtein: 1g

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