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Tried making air fryer carrots but they always either burn, or end up shrivelled and unappealing? The solution is actually really simple! In this post, I’ll share with you my secret to making perfect air fryer carrots every time. This includes timings for halved carrots, batons and diagonals.
Plus, get your FREE air fryer conversion chart. Helping you convert any fan oven timing and temperature, into air fryer settings! AND 10 secrets to mastering timings and temperatures… whatever your air fryer! Keep reading to get your hands on them…
Struggle with timings and temperatures?
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Don’t let it collect dust on the kitchen side. Air fryers are a valuable tool, and I use mine every day! You can too.
Can’t think what to make? Here’s some air fryer recipes inspiration for you.
Does an air fryer cook carrots?
We love our carrots. We often use them as a base for soup recipes, turn them into carrot cake, and even make pickled carrots! But classically cooked, do carrots do well in an air fryer?
Yes! They cook brilliantly in the air fryer! And they’re faster than oven cooked too. The trick is to know the timings, and not add the dressings straight away. More on that later…
Is it better to roast or boil carrots?
When we cook vegetables, they lose nutrients. How much, depends on the method you choose. As described in how to steam broccoli, steaming is usually the healthiest way to cook vegetables. But what about roasting and boiling?
Boiling carrots used to be the most common way to cook them. But, unless you’re going to use the cooking liquid, it’s actually the least healthy way to cook them. When you boil vegetables, a lot of the nutrients transfer into the cooking liquid. If you then drain the liquid away, you’re not left with many nutrients.
Roasting carrots is much better, so long as you cook them at the right temperature. Over a certain heat, you can over cook them, and the vegetables will lose nutrients. Get it right, and they can be wonderfully tasty AND keep most of their nutrients too!
How do you add flavour to carrots?
Oven roast carrots have a natural sweetness and caramelisation to them. But you can actually achieve that in your air fryer too! You could also add extra ingredients to mix things up. See how to change the flavour of air fryer carrots for more.
Do you add water to an air fryer for vegetables?
I don’t personally recommend adding water into your air fryer when cooking vegetables. I don’t think you really need it if you choose the correct timings and temperatures.
Here’s some further reading if you want to learn more about whether you can put water in your air fryer.
Don’t know what you CAN and CAN’T air fry?
Worried you’ll make costly mistakes, because you’re not confident you know what can and can’t be air fried? You need this FREE super helpful printable! Simply fill out the form below, and it’ll be in your inbox before you can say “I’m going to become an air frying PRO!”.
How long does it take to air fry vegetables?
The answer to this varies. But as a general rule, root vegetables cut into pieces usually take between 10-20 minutes to air fry. Depending on how soft or crunchy you like them.
How to cook carrots in a ninja air fryer?
I currently use a Ninja Foodi Max Dual AF400UK air fryer, which I used to develop this recipe. So to cook carrots in a Ninja Air Fryer, all you need to do is follow the recipe as it is!
Ingredients and substitutions
Confused about what ingredients to buy? Not sure about a substitution? Here’s everything you might need to know…
- Carrots – You can use whatever variety of carrot you like! Regular, chantenay, purple etc. Just make sure, whichever shape you choose to make, that they are all cut roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
- Honey – Runny honey works best in this dressing. If you only have more firm varieties, you may need to increase the oil slightly to make it more pourable.
- Olive Oil – If you can, use the best extra virgin olive oil you can afford. You will taste the difference. That being said, go by your tastes! Everyone likes different things, so use the best for you.
- Salt – Table salt is fine here. You don’t need to use finishing salt like sea salt. As we just want the flavour, not the texture.
- Pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper gives a nice strong flavour. If this is too hot for you, you can switch it out for some white pepper instead.
Recipe tips and troubleshooting
Here are tips you’ll find helpful when making air fryer honey carrots..
- Want a richer, creamier flavour? Use equal parts olive oil and melted butter, alongside the honey, salt and pepper.
- Keep a close eye on your honey carrots while they’re air frying. All air fryers and carrot types vary. And it may take one or two tries for you to perfect what works best for you.
- Open the drawers a few times during the first part of cooking. This lets you to turn them for even cooking, and allows excess steam to escape.
- Rather not use the honey? You can just leave it out of the dressing.
- Remember that carrots lose a lot of moisture when cooked, and shrink a fair bit. Consider this when deciding your portion sizes.
- If you double or multiply the recipe, note that this will likely increase cooking times. Take care not to overcrowd by keeping the carrots in a single layer. Cook in batches if you need to.
Time management
Have limited time? Struggle with recipe timings? Or juggling around other things? Here’s some time managing info to make your life easier.
- Your carrots will take about 5 minutes for you to peel and chop.
- You will need to preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes.
But depending on your chosen shape, and whether you like them al dente or soft, the air frying times will vary.
Here’s a handy table with timings for different options. Note that 2 times are given for each one. This is because we first cook the carrots undressed. Then they’re coated in a honey dressing and cooked again.
11cm Halves | 6cm Batons | 1cm Thick Diagonals | |
---|---|---|---|
Al Dente | 10 mins / 5 mins | 8 mins / 4 mins | 8 mins / 5 mins |
Soft | 10 mins / 8 mins | 8 mins / 6 mins | 8 mins / 7 mins |
Please note that all air fryers and carrot types vary – so use these timings as a guide.
If you like this recipe…
…you might also like:
Air Fryer carrots (UK) – Step by Step Picture Recipe
(For a printer friendly version, see the recipe card at the end of this post)
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to cook 4 x carrots in your air fryer. Timings are given for halves, batons and diagonals.
Note that you may need to increase/decrease the dressing quantities depending on the size of your carrots.
If you double or multiply the recipe, be aware this may increase cooking times. Do not overcrowd.
- 4 x Carrots
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
Essential equipment
- Air Fryer
- Bowl
- Spoon
Instructions for carrot halves
Peel and cut your carrots (x 4) into halves, then preheat your air fryer to 180ºC (356ºF).
Toss the carrots straight into the preheated drawer and air fry for 10 minutes. Turning once or twice throughout.
The timings given are for 11cm long carrots. If yours are shorter, longer, very thin or very thick, you may need to adjust the cooking times.
Next mix the honey (1 tbsp), olive oil (1 tbsp), salt (1/4 tsp) and pepper (1/4 tsp) together in a bowl. Toss in the carrots and coat all of them thoroughly.
Then return them to the air fryer and cook for a further 5 minutes for al dente, or 8 minutes for soft.
Keep a close eye on them during this stage. You may need to give them a shake or two. Serve immediately.
Instructions for batons
Peel and cut your carrots (x 4) into batons, then preheat your air fryer to 180ºC (356ºF).
Toss the carrots straight into the preheated drawer and air fry for 8 minutes. Shake them once or twice.
The timings given are for 6cm batons. If yours are shorter, longer, very thin or very thick, you may need to adjust the cooking times.
Next mix the honey (1 tbsp), olive oil (1 tbsp), salt (1/4 tsp) and pepper (1/4 tsp) together in a bowl. Toss in the carrot batons and coat all of them thoroughly.
Then return them to the air fryer and cook for a further 4 minutes for al dente, or 6 minutes for soft.
Keep a close eye on them during this stage. You may need to give them a shake or two. Serve immediately.
Instructions for diagonals
Peel and cut your carrots (x 4) into diagonals, then preheat your air fryer to 180ºC (356ºF).
Toss the carrots straight into the preheated drawer and air fry for 8 minutes. Shake them once or twice during this time.
The timings given are for 1cm thick diagonals. If yours are thicker, smaller or larger, you may need to adjust the cooking times.
Next mix the honey (1 tbsp), olive oil (1 tbsp), salt (1/4 tsp) and pepper (1/4 tsp) together in a bowl. Toss in the carrot diagonals and coat all of them thoroughly.
Then return them to the air fryer and cook for a further 5 minutes for al dente, or 7 minutes for soft.
Keep a close eye on them during this stage. You may need to give them a shake or two. Serve immediately.
How to change the flavour of air fryer carrots
So you’ve mastered making honey carrots, and you want to know how else you can flavour your air fryer carrots? Here’s a few ideas…
- Classic – Olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Herb – Olive oil, salt, pepper, freshly chopped rosemary, thyme or sage. Or a combination of 2 or all 3!
- Garlic and Herb – Olive oil, salt, pepper, minced garlic and dried Italian herbs.
- Cumin – Olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, turmeric and thyme.
- Chilli – Olive oil, salt, pepper, chilli powder, cumin and paprika.
Tasty recipes to serve air fryer carrots with
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Air Fryer Carrots 3 Ways (UK) - Printable Recipe
This easy air fryer honey carrots recipe is the simple solution to shrivelled or burnt carrots! Includes timings for halves, batons and diagonals. Perfect results every time!
Ingredients
- 4 x Carrots
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
Essential Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Bowl
- Spoon
Instructions
Carrot Halves
- Peel and chop your carrots into 11cm halves, then preheat your air fryer to 180ºC (356ºF). Put the carrot halves into the drawer, and air fry for 10 mins. Turn once or twice.
- Mix together the honey, oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Toss in the part cooked carrot halves and coat thoroughly.
- Put back into the drawer and air fry for a further 5 mins for al dente / 8 mins for soft. Serve immediately.
Batons
- Peel and chop your carrots into 6cm batons, then preheat your air fryer to 180ºC (356ºF). Put the carrot batons into the drawer, and air fry for 8 mins. Turn once or twice.
- Mix together the honey, oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Toss in the part cooked carrot batons and coat thoroughly.
- Put back into the drawer and air fry for a further 4 mins for al dente / 6 mins for soft. Serve immediately.
Diagonals
- Peel and chop your carrots into 1cm thick diagonals, then preheat your air fryer to 180ºC (356ºF). Put the carrot diagonals into the drawer, and air fry for 8 mins. Turn once or twice.
- Mix together the honey, oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Toss in the part cooked carrot diagonals and coat thoroughly.
- Put back into the drawer and air fry for a further 5 mins for al dente / 7 mins for soft. Serve immediately.
Notes
Note that you may need to increase/decrease the dressing quantities depending on the size of your carrots.
If you double or multiply the recipe, be aware this may increase cooking times. Do not overcrowd.
See the main post for a more detailed, step by step picture recipe.
Be sure to read the sections Ingredients and Substitutions, Recipe Tips and Troubleshooting and Time Management for lots of helpful information before you begin making this recipe. You can find them in the main body of this post.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 125Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 345mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 3gSugar: 12gProtein: 1g
Nutritional information on kitchenmason.com should only be used as a general guideline, I am not a certified nutritionist. Please always check labels for allergens where applicable.
I want to see YOUR air frying!
Have you made these beautiful air fryer carrots? I’d love to know if you have! Tag me in your pics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or email me at emma@kitchenmason.com.
About Emma Mason
Emma is a professional blogger. Utilising over 20 years of cooking experience, she’s passionate about making your life easier, one recipe at a time! Drawing on her 12+ year background in recipe research and development, photography, copy writing and marketing, Emma has turned kitchenmason.com into a successful career. Known as ‘the organisation queen’ among friends, she is passionate about creating easy to follow recipes that anyone can follow and enjoy. She lives in Nottingham (UK) with her husband, daughter and 2 naughty cats. In her spare time she can be found reading a good book, training at the dojo preparing for her black belt grading, or dreaming up the next crazy colour combo for her hair!