Easy Air Fryer Carrots With Honey and Balsamic Glaze
Looking for a quick, delicious, and healthy side dish? These crispy and juicy air-fried carrots are the perfect addition to any meal. Whether you're serving them as a quick snack or an easy side dish for a family dinner, they will surely be a crowd-pleaser. With just 7 ingredients and 15 minutes of cooking time, you'll have a perfect side dish that everyone will love!
Are carrots your favorite healthy snack? Try out my nutritious Air Fryer Carrot Fries recipe!
Easy Air Fryer Carrots With Honey and Balsamic Glaze
Why I Like This Recipe
It's the easiest side dish for adults and kids. Air-fried carrots are so simple and delicious, making them a perfect snack for everybody! They are also a nutritious and healthy alternative to unhealthy snacks like french fries.
Everyone has baby carrots in their fridge! While one of the most popular ways to eat them is crunchy with hummus, my favorite way to make them is in the air fryer. Air-fried carrots come out slightly crunchy but really juicy on the inside. Instead of regular carrots, I like using baby; that way, I don't have to chop carrots!
The sweetness of the carrots is the perfect complement to the acidic balsamic vinegar. Carrots have a natural sweetness that is enhanced when they are cooked or roasted, which helps to balance out the acidity of the vinegar. The combination of sweet and tangy flavors creates a well-rounded flavor profile in this simple recipe.
I love to meal prep a big batch of these and keep it in the fridge for snacking. It saves time and effort in the long run and ensures that you have a healthy and satisfying snack readily available whenever hunger strikes.
It's easy, quick to make, and great for the holiday dinner table. When we're busy preparing elaborate meals and hosting guests during the holiday season, having an easy and delicious side dish is a lifesaver. Air-fried carrots require minimal prep time and can be ready in 15 minutes, making them an easy way to prepare for even the busiest holiday gatherings.
Air-Fried Carrots Ingredients
1 lb baby carrots
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp honey
2 tsp balsamic glaze
How to Make Air-Fried Carrots
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Add the baby carrots, avocado or olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
Toss well to coat the carrots in the mixture to ensure they are evenly seasoned.
Transfer the coated carrots to the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer without overcrowding. If needed, cook in batches.
Place the basket in the preheated air fryer and cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
While the carrots are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix together honey and balsamic glaze.
Once the carrots are crispy and tender, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving dish.
Drizzle the honey-balsamic glaze over the carrots and toss to coat evenly to give them that golden glow.
Serve the air-fried balsamic glazed baby carrots as a side dish or as a snack with your favorite dip or hummus.
Storage
To store leftover carrots, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days once they've cooled. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply reheat them in the air fryer or microwave until warmed through. The carrots may not be as crispy as when freshly cooked, but they will still be delicious and packed with flavor.
FAQs
What ingredients are needed to air fry carrots?
To air-fry carrots with my recipe, you'll need just 7 simple ingredients: baby carrots, avocado oil or olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, black pepper, honey, and balsamic glaze.
How long do you need to air-fry carrots?
You'll only need about 15 minutes of cook time at a temperature of 375°F to air-fry these carrots. This recipe is so quick and easy to make when you have less time in the kitchen!
How do you know when carrots are cooked in an air fryer?
For perfect air fryer carrots, you can check the color of the carrots. They should be a vibrant orange and slightly caramelized on the edges. Additionally, you can test the texture by piercing the carrots with a fork or toothpick. They should be tender but still have a slight crunch. You can also take a taste test. The carrots should be cooked through and have a nice balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Can you air-fry carrots without oil?
While using a little oil can help give the carrots a nice crispy texture, it is unnecessary. If you prefer to avoid oil, you can simply skip it and still achieve delicious results. Just toss the carrots in your desired seasonings, such as salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar, and place them in the air fryer. Cook them at the recommended temperature and time, shaking them halfway through, and you'll have perfectly cooked carrots with a hint of sweetness from the balsamic vinegar.
What other vegetables can be air fried with carrots?
So many other air fryer vegetables can be air-fried along with carrots! Some great options to try are:
Broccoli: Toss some broccoli florets with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, then air fry them until they're crispy and slightly charred.
Brussels sprouts: Halve the Brussels sprouts and toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Air fry until they're tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Zucchini: Slice the zucchini into rounds or sticks and toss them with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Air fry until they're golden brown and have crispy edges.
Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into florets and toss them with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Air fry until they're crispy and caramelized.
Green beans: Toss fresh green beans with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Air fry until they're crisp-tender and slightly charred.
Bell peppers: Slice bell peppers into strips or rings and toss them with olive oil, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Air fry until they're slightly charred and tender.
Crispy and Delicious: How to Perfectly Air Fry Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 lb baby carrots
- 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 tsp balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Add everything into a big bowl & toss well to evenly coat.
- Air fry at 375 for 15 mins, shaking halfway. Enjoy!
Hey, I’m Jazz
I’m a nutritional therapist practitioner and spent 3 years as a personal chef to NBA athletes. Follow along for easy, attainable and healthy recipes in under 30 minutes!
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