Indulging in a side dish that effortlessly combines sweetness and savory flavors is a culinary delight, and candied carrots masterfully achieve that balance. Whether you’re preparing a family dinner or hosting a special gathering, candied carrots add a burst of vibrant color and a touch of sweetness to your plate.
Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Side Dish
- Fast. Make these family-friendly carrots in under 30 minutes.
- Easy. Peel your carrots, make the glaze, and bake.
- Few Ingredients. Less than five ingedients are needed for this perfectly sweet side dish.
- Versatile. Mix this recipe up with a variety of spices, carrots, and varieties of sweetener.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Carrots. I prefer smaller carrots for this dish because they cook faster and are more tender.
- Honey. Grab locally sourced honey when you’re able to help combat seasonal allergies.
- Brown Sugar. Light brown sugar or brown sugar swerve to keep the carb count down.
- Butter. I prefer to use an unsalted butter for these carrots so I can season them to taste after they’re finished roasting.
How To Make Candied Carrots
- Preheat the Air Fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. This will ensure it’s hot and ready to cook your candied carrots.
- Prepare the Carrots. Peel the carrots and slice them into rounds of relatively uniform thickness, about 1/4 inch thick. This ensures even cooking.
- Toss with Butter. In a mixing bowl, toss the carrot rounds with the melted butter to coat them evenly.
- Coat with Brown Sugar. Sprinkle the brown sugar and, if desired, the ground cinnamon over the butter-coated carrots. Toss them well to ensure they’re coated with the sugar.
- Air Fry the Carrots. Place the coated carrot rounds in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook them in batches if your air fryer has limited space.
- Air Fry. Cook the carrots at 375°F for about 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the carrots halfway through the cooking time. The exact time may vary depending on the air fryer model and the thickness of your carrot rounds.
- Check for Doneness. The candied carrots are ready when they are tender and the sugar has caramelized, giving them a glossy appearance. Make sure they are not too soft but still have a slight bite.
- Serve. Once done, transfer the candied carrots to a serving dish and serve them while they’re warm.
Tips And Variations
- Choose the Right Carrots: Opt for fresh, firm carrots. Baby carrots work well for candying, but you can also use regular carrots, sliced into uniform pieces.
- Even Slicing: To ensure even cooking, slice the carrots into equal-sized pieces. This helps them cook uniformly and achieve a consistent caramelization.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes to ensure even cooking and better caramelization of the sugar.
- Coat Evenly: Make sure the carrots are evenly coated in the sugar mixture. You can place them in a bowl, add the sugar mixture, and toss to coat.
- Single Layer: Arrange the carrots in a single layer in the air fryer basket to avoid overcrowding. If the carrots are too close, they may not caramelize properly.
How Long Do Candied Carrots Last?
Candied carrots can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. To extend their shelf life, place them in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag.
What To Serve With Them
I love these candied carrots because of how versatile they are. Not only are they perfect for a holiday side dish, but they can easily be made to accompany a quick weeknight meal.
Try enjoying them with one of these easy to make main courses:
More Tasty Side Dishes
If you love these Candied Carrots as much as we do, make sure you share the recipe on Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to Pin them so you can make them again soon.
Servings: 4
Click on highlighted ingredients or Equipment to see exactly what I use to make this recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat the Air Fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. This will ensure it’s hot and ready to cook your candied carrots.
-
Prepare the Carrots. Peel the carrots and slice them into rounds of relatively uniform thickness, about 1/4 inch thick. This ensures even cooking.
-
Coat with Brown Sugar. Sprinkle the brown sugar and, if desired, the ground cinnamon over the butter-coated carrots. Toss them well to ensure they’re coated with the sugar.
-
Air Fry the Carrots. Place the coated carrot rounds in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook them in batches if your air fryer has limited space.
-
Air Fry. Cook the carrots at 375°F for about 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the carrots halfway through the cooking time. The exact time may vary depending on the air fryer model and the thickness of your carrot rounds.
-
Check for Doneness. The candied carrots are ready when they are tender and the sugar has caramelized, giving them a glossy appearance. Make sure they are not too soft but still have a slight bite.
-
Serve. Once done, transfer the candied carrots to a serving dish and serve them while they’re warm.
