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I used to think carrots were just boring orange sticks that belonged in salad bags. That’s because I grew up eating them raw or boiled until they turned to mush. My mom meant well, but her carrot game was pretty weak.
Then I discovered air fryer maple glazed carrots, and everything changed. The air fryer does something magical—it makes the carrots tender on the inside while keeping them slightly crispy on the outside. Add a simple maple glaze, and suddenly those boring orange sticks become something my kids actually ask for at dinner.
Why You’ll Love These Maple Glazed Carrots
- Quick and easy side dish – Ready in under 30 minutes, these carrots are perfect when you need a healthy side dish that doesn’t require much hands-on time.
- Simple ingredients – You probably already have most of these pantry staples at home – just carrots, butter, maple syrup, and basic seasonings.
- Air fryer convenience – No need to heat up your oven or dirty multiple pans. The air fryer gives you perfectly tender carrots with a nice caramelized glaze.
- Naturally sweet and healthy – The maple syrup brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots while keeping this side dish nutritious and kid-friendly.
- Perfect for any meal – These glazed carrots work great alongside everything from weeknight chicken dinners to holiday roasts.
What Kind of Carrots Should I Use?
For this recipe, you’ll want to use medium-sized carrots that are firm and fresh – avoid any that feel rubbery or have soft spots. Regular orange carrots work perfectly, but you can also try rainbow carrots or baby carrots if that’s what you have on hand. If you’re using baby carrots, just keep in mind they might cook a bit faster since they’re smaller. The key is making sure your carrots are roughly the same size so they cook evenly in the air fryer, so if you’re using larger carrots, just cut them into similar-sized pieces.
Options for Substitutions
This simple carrot recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:
- Maple syrup: If you’re out of maple syrup, honey works great as a substitute – use the same amount. Brown sugar mixed with a tiny bit of water also does the trick, though you’ll get a slightly different flavor.
- Unsalted butter: You can use salted butter instead, just reduce the added salt accordingly. For a dairy-free option, try olive oil or melted coconut oil, though the flavor will be a bit different.
- Fresh parsley: Dried parsley works fine – just use about 1 teaspoon instead of the tablespoon. Fresh chives or green onions also make nice garnishes if that’s what you have on hand.
- Garlic powder: Fresh minced garlic (about 1 clove) can replace the powder, or you can skip it entirely if you prefer a simpler flavor profile.
- Medium carrots: Baby carrots work too – just use about 1 pound and adjust the cooking time since they’re smaller. Large carrots are fine as well, just cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making air fryer carrots is cutting them unevenly, which leads to some pieces being overcooked while others stay too firm – aim for uniform pieces about 1/2 inch thick for consistent results.
Another common error is overcrowding the air fryer basket, so cook in batches if needed to ensure proper air circulation and even browning.
Don’t add the maple syrup too early in the cooking process, as it can burn and turn bitter – instead, toss the carrots with the maple glaze during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time.
Finally, resist the urge to skip preheating your air fryer, as starting with a hot basket helps achieve that perfect caramelized exterior while keeping the inside tender.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Maple Glazed Carrots?
These sweet and savory carrots make a perfect side dish for just about any protein you’ve got on the dinner table. They pair beautifully with roasted chicken, pork chops, or even a simple grilled salmon since the maple glaze complements both poultry and fish really well. I love serving them alongside mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete comfort meal, or you can keep things simple with just some rice pilaf. The carrots also work great as part of a holiday spread with turkey, stuffing, and all the traditional fixings.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate: These maple glazed carrots keep really well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. They’re actually great cold too – I sometimes add them to salads or grain bowls for a sweet touch. The maple glaze might thicken up a bit when cold, but that’s totally normal.
Freeze: You can freeze these carrots for up to 3 months, though the texture will be a little softer once thawed. I like to freeze them in individual portions so I can grab just what I need for a quick side dish.
Warm Up: To bring back that fresh-from-the-air-fryer taste, just pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F. You can also warm them in the microwave for about 30 seconds, but the air fryer really brings back that nice texture and caramelized edges.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 12-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 22-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 250-300
- Protein: 2-4 g
- Fat: 20-24 g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35 g
Ingredients
For the carrots:
- 2 medium carrots (about 145 g each)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 to 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the garnish:
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your Air Fryer to 370°F (188°C) and preheat it for 12 minutes.
This ensures the appliance is hot and ready for when you’re prepared to air fry the carrots.
Step 2: Prepare the Carrots
- 2 medium carrots (about 145 g each)
Thoroughly clean the carrots under running water, pat them dry, remove the ends, and peel off the skins.
Next, cut the carrots diagonally into slices about 1/4 inch thick.
This shape helps the carrots cook evenly and gives a nice appearance.
Step 3: Season and Coat the Carrots
- sliced carrots from Step 2
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 to 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- kosher salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Place the sliced carrots in a large shallow bowl.
Sprinkle them with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
Gently toss the carrots to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Add the room temperature unsalted butter and smear it over the carrots, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
Finally, drizzle the maple syrup over the carrots and combine everything well so that every slice is glossy and coated in the butter-maple syrup mixture.
I like to use my hands for tossing to ensure each carrot slice gets some of that delicious buttery coating.
Step 4: Air Fry the Carrots
- seasoned and coated carrots from Step 3
Arrange the seasoned and coated carrot slices in a single layer onto the Air Fryer tray.
Slowly insert the tray into the middle cooking chamber, near the rotisserie catch.
If needed, use a second tray for any remaining carrots.
Air fry the carrots for 4 minutes.
Then, baste each carrot with the butter-maple syrup mixture from the bowl, turn them over, and return the tray to the Air Fryer.
Cook for another 5 minutes or until the carrots are crisp-tender.
If you’re using a second tray, it may need an additional 1 to 2 minutes of cooking.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
After air frying, remove the carrots from the tray and transfer to a serving dish.
Garnish with the chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley before serving.
For a brighter flavor, I like to sprinkle the parsley while the carrots are still warm so it slightly wilts and releases more aroma.
