This Air Fryer Carrots recipe is not only an easy, quick, side dish recipe, but they’re absolutely delicious because they’re coated with cinnamon, maple syrup, and a few other simple ingredients!
In just 15 minutes, these carrots pair perfectly with dishes such as baked chicken cutlets and Crock Pot pork tenderloin.
If you are new to your Air Fryer, check out my collection of 25+ Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners that are perfect to get the hang of your new gadget. Or for another simple side dish using the Air Fryer, try these Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Versatility: These perfect air fryer carrots can accompany a wide range of main dishes, fitting perfectly into almost any meal. Whether it’s a fancy holiday dinner or a simple weeknight meal, they add a touch of elegance and a burst of flavor.
- Effortless cleanup: Thanks to the air fryer, there’s minimum fuss and mess in the kitchen. You’ll find yourself with more free time and less dishwashing, making this recipe a true win-win for the entire family.
Ingredients Needed
I’ve highlighted a couple of key ingredients below with some notes. Aside from this, the ingredients needed are pretty basic.
- Carrots – Choose large carrots that are bright orange, firm to the touch, and of uniform size for even cooking. Remember to peel them before starting the recipe to remove any dirt and to promote a smoother texture.
- Maple Syrup – Always opt for pure maple syrup rather than artificial or flavored ones. The pure form has a distinct, rich flavor that cannot be matched by substitutes and will give your carrots an irresistibly natural sweetness.
- Ground Cinnamon – Just a pinch of cinnamon can inject a warm, spicy undertone to the carrots. Be careful not to overdo it – a little goes a long way. Store your ground cinnamon in a cool, dark place to maintain its potency.
Substitutions
Sometimes substitutions are necessary because of ingredients that are unavailable or needed for dietary restrictions. Here are some suggestions that can help:
- Carrots – If you’re out of whole carrots, parsnips make a good substitute as they have a similar texture when cooked and a slightly sweet flavor.
- Maple Syrup – If you don’t have maple syrup, honey can be used as a sweetener instead. Be aware that honey has a somewhat stronger flavor that may slightly change the overall taste of the dish.
- Ground Cinnamon – If you don’t have ground cinnamon, you can use ground nutmeg or allspice. Both have a warm, sweet flavor somewhat similar to cinnamon.
- Parsley – If you don’t have parsley, cilantro or chives can be used as a garnish instead. Both offer a fresh, vibrant flavor, with cilantro adding a slight citrusy note and chives contributing a mild onion-like taste.
Variations
- Spice it up- Add a hint of heat by sprinkling red pepper flakes over the carrots before air frying them. It can balance the sweetness and bring an exciting flavor contrast.
- Herb Carrots- Mix in some dried or fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to the carrots before cooking to infuse them with a delightful savory note.
- Citrusy Carrots- Give your carrots a bright, tangy twist by adding a splash of lemon juice or orange zest before cooking. The citrusy flavor pairs incredibly well with the sweetness of maple syrup.
- Cheesy Carrots- Before the final minutes of cooking, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top of the carrots for a delectably cheesy crunch.
- Balsamic Glaze- Replace maple syrup with balsamic glaze for a more tangy and sophisticated flavor profile. Remember, balsamic glaze is quite potent, so use sparingly.
How to Make Air Fryer Carrots
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*
STEP 1: Heat your Air Fryer. Preheat your Air Fryer to 375°F.
STEP 2: Prepare the carrots. Cut the peeled carrots into 3-inch pieces. Quarter these and place carrots in a large mixing bowl.
STEP 3: Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Mix until well combined.
STEP 4: Coat the carrots. Pour this mixture over the carrots in a large bowl. Ensure each carrot piece is coated.
STEP 5: Season the carrots. Add ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the carrots. toss carrots until all the carrot pieces are evenly seasoned.
STEP 6: Cook in the Air Fryer. Transfer the seasoned carrots to the Air Fryer basket. Bake at 375°F for about 15 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
STEP 7: Garnish and serve. Sprinkle flat-leaf parsley on the cooked carrots as garnish. Serve while hot.
Recipe Pro Tips
- Evenly cut carrots: Cutting the carrots into even pieces will help ensure that they all cook at the same rate. Uneven pieces may result in some carrots being overcooked while others are undercooked.
- Never crowd the air fryer: Piling too many carrots in the air fryer at once can result in them not cooking evenly. It’s best to cook in batches if necessary to ensure each carrot piece crisps up nicely.
- Shake the basket: Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket to turn the carrots. This will help them to cook evenly and achieve a perfect, crispy texture.
- Taste and adjust: After the carrots are cooked, taste one and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remember, the flavor of the carrots intensifies as they cool so a little seasoning goes a long way.
- Serve immediately: Air fryer carrots are best served immediately while they’re still warm and crispy. If they sit too long, they can become soft.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely, you can substitute full-sized carrots with baby carrots. However, you might need to adjust the cooking time as they could cook faster due to their smaller size.
It’s possible that the carrots were cut too thin or they were left to cook for too long. Make sure to cut the carrots into even pieces, and always check on the carrots a bit earlier than the recommended cooking time to ensure they have reached your desired level of tenderness.
Yes, you can replace olive oil with other types of oil like canola oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil. However, keep in mind that different oils can subtly affect the final flavor of this easy side dish.
Peeling the carrots is recommended for this recipe as it removes any dirt and promotes a smoother texture. However, if you prefer, you can thoroughly wash and scrub the carrots instead of peeling them.
Absolutely! This recipe works great with other root vegetables such as parsnips, beetroot, or sweet potatoes. Just be aware that different vegetables may require different cooking times.
Storage
Leftover Air Fryer Carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make sure the carrots are fully cooled before storing them to avoid condensation, which can make them soggy.
While you can technically freeze cooked carrots, it is not highly recommended for this recipe. Freezing and thawing may alter the texture of the carrots, causing them to become soft and lose their crispiness.
More Carrot Recipes You’ll Love
Have some carrots left after making this recipe? You could try this Carrot Walnut Cake that’s a great sweet treat that is still packed with the goodness of carrots. Or for another simple side dish, make some Carrot Salad that pairs well with loads of main courses for the whole family. Or, here are other recipes that use carrots that you’ll love:
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe
Air Fryer Carrots
Ingredients
- 32 ounces carrots peeled
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Flat-leaf parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 375°F.
- Next cut the peeled carrots into 3-inch pieces and then quarter the 3-inch sections. Then place in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, add 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and whisk together until well blended.
- Then pour the wet ingredients over the prepared carrots and toss until all of the cut carrots are coated.
- Then season – add ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon to the bowl of cut carrots and toss until all of the carrots are coated with seasoning.
- Place the seasoned carrots in the basket and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Garnish with flat-leaf parsley if desired, and serve hot
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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