To make honey garlic carrots in an air fryer, cut 1 1/2 lb of carrots into 1/2-inch sticks, toss them with 1 tbsp olive oil, smoked paprika, thyme, salt and pepper, and air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes. Then toss with a honey, garlic and lemon glaze and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Dinner's side is done in about 25 minutes, at roughly 115 calories per serving.
1 1/2 lb (680 g) carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch sticks about 1/2 inch thick
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp fine salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tsp honey (or maple syrup)
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
How Do You Make Honey Garlic Carrots in an Air Fryer?
Prep: Peel the carrots and cut them into even sticks about 3 inches long and 1/2 inch thick, so they cook at the same rate. Pat them dry.
Season: Toss the carrots with the olive oil, smoked paprika, thyme, salt and pepper until evenly coated.
Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for about 3 minutes.
Air fry: Spread the carrots in a single layer, splitting them between both baskets of a dual air fryer. Air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes, shaking the baskets halfway, until tender and browned at the edges.
Glaze: Stir the honey, grated garlic and lemon juice together. Drizzle it over the carrots, toss and air fry 2 to 3 minutes more, until sticky and just caramelized.
Serve: Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot as a side.
Dual basket tip: Turn it into dinner. Put the carrots in basket 1 (400°F, 15 minutes including the glaze) and our air fryer pork chops or chicken thighs in basket 2, then press Smart Finish or Sync Finish so both are ready together. Pause basket 1 to add the glaze.
New pick: Ninja DZ901 10-QtTwo 5-Qt baskets hold a full batch of carrots in one and the main in the other, with Smart Finish.
How Many Calories Are in Air Fryer Honey Garlic Carrots? (Estimated)
Per serving (1/4 of the recipe): about 115 calories, 3.5 g fat (0.5 g saturated), 20 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 11 g sugar, 1.5 g protein, and about 410 mg sodium. These are estimates calculated from standard USDA values for raw carrots, olive oil, honey and salt. Most of the sugar comes naturally from the carrots; use 1/4 tsp salt to cut the sodium roughly in half.
Grain bowls: pile over quinoa or farro with chickpeas and a lemon tahini drizzle
What Are Some Flavor Variations?
Maple Dijon: swap the honey for maple syrup and whisk in 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Spicy: add a pinch of red pepper flakes or 1/4 tsp cayenne to the glaze
Cumin and orange: use 1/2 tsp ground cumin instead of thyme and orange juice instead of lemon
No added sugar: skip the honey and finish with lemon, garlic and parsley only
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook carrots in the air fryer?
Air fry 1/2-inch carrot sticks at 400°F for about 12 minutes, shaking halfway, then 2 to 3 minutes more after adding the glaze. Thicker pieces need 2 to 4 extra minutes.
Why add the honey and garlic at the end?
Honey and fresh garlic burn quickly at 400°F. Adding them for the last 2 to 3 minutes gives a sticky glaze without bitter, scorched spots.
Do you need to peel carrots for the air fryer?
No. Well-scrubbed unpeeled carrots work fine and keep a little more fiber; peeling just gives a smoother, more even surface.
Can you use baby carrots?
Yes. Halve thick baby carrots lengthwise, pat them dry and air fry at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes before glazing.
Are air fryer honey garlic carrots healthy?
Yes. We estimate about 115 calories, 3.5 g fat and 5 g fiber per serving, with just 1 tbsp of oil and 2 tsp of honey for the whole batch. These are estimates and will vary with your ingredients.
How do you reheat leftover carrots?
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 370°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
