Imagine transforming ordinary baby carrots into a mouthwatering side dish that will have your family begging for seconds! These Air Fryer Baby Carrots with Honey Butter are not just a recipe; they're a culinary revelation that combines the natural sweetness of carrots with a golden, caramelized finish that will make even the pickiest eaters fall in love. In just 20 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality side dish that's both incredibly easy and impossibly delicious.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound baby carrots
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Ensure the air fryer basket is clean and dry.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine melted butter and honey. Whisk together until well blended and smooth.
- Rinse the baby carrots under cool water and pat them completely dry using paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps achieve better caramelization.
- Add the baby carrots to the honey butter mixture, gently tossing to coat each carrot evenly. Sprinkle salt to taste and mix again.
- Spread the coated carrots in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking and crispy edges.
- Cook the carrots in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to promote even browning.
- Check carrots for tenderness and caramelization. They should be golden brown and easily pierced with a fork.
- Carefully remove the carrots from the air fryer and transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle any remaining honey butter over the top.
- Let the carrots cool for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow the glaze to set and prevent burning.
Tips
- Pat the carrots completely dry before coating to ensure maximum caramelization and prevent steaming.
- Use room temperature honey and butter for more even coating.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - leave space between carrots for crispy edges.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure uniform browning.
- Keep an eye on the carrots during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent burning.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or a sprinkle of fresh thyme to the honey butter mixture.
- If your carrots are larger, you might need to increase cooking time by 2-3 minutes.
- Let the carrots rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the glaze to set and cool slightly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 100kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 15mg
