Caramelized Air Fryer Roasted Carrots That Steal the Show
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
FAQs
Air Fryer Carrots
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
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey, half the thyme leaves, salt & pepper. Add prepared carrots, toss to coat.
- 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.
- Once done, remove from the air fryer basket and sprinkle with more thyme leaves. Reserve the accumulated juices for serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 199Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 356mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 5gSugar: 17gProtein: 1g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
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