Go Back
Air fryer honey balsamic carrots with tender roasted carrots coated in a sweet tangy balsamic glaze
Print Recipe

Air Fryer Honey Balsamic Carrots - Sweet, Tangy, and Perfectly Roasted

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound carrots (baby carrots or peeled carrots cut into 1/2-inch-thick sticks or coins)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey (maple syrup works, too)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional but recommended)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
  • Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish (optional)
  • Optional finish: 1 teaspoon butter for gloss, or 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds for crunch

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes. A hot basket helps the carrots brown faster.
  • Prep the carrots: If using whole carrots, peel and slice into even sticks or coins about 1/2 inch thick. Uniform size means even cooking.
  • Make the glaze: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
  • Toss to coat: Add the carrots to the bowl and toss until every piece is well coated. Don’t skip this—coverage is key for flavor and caramelization.
  • Arrange in the basket: Place the carrots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. A bit of overlap is fine, but avoid piling them too high.
  • Air fry and shake: Cook at 380°F (193°C) for 10–14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Start checking at the 10-minute mark. They’re done when tender with browned edges.
  • Finish and taste: Transfer to a bowl. If using, stir in a teaspoon of butter for extra gloss. Adjust salt and pepper, then top with fresh herbs.
  • Serve: Plate immediately for the best texture. These are great hot, but also taste lovely at room temp.