Introduction

Remember those simple, comforting side dishes that just made the whole meal feel complete? The ones that were so easy but tasted like pure sunshine? Well, get ready, because these Balsamic Glazed Air Fryer Carrots are about to become your new favorite weeknight hero (and maybe even a holiday star!). Seriously, if you’re looking for a way to make veggies exciting without a ton of fuss, your air fryer is your best friend, and this recipe is its perfect partner. We’re talking tender-crisp carrots coated in a sweet and savory balsamic glaze, all whipped up in minutes. It’s the kind of dish that disappears fast, even with the pickiest eaters!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: From start to finish, you’re looking at under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy evenings!
Easy: Only a few simple steps and basic ingredients. No complicated techniques here!
Giftable (Okay, maybe not giftable, but totally shareable!): This is a crowd-pleasing side dish that everyone asks about.
Crowd-pleasing: The sweet and savory glaze makes even non-veggie lovers happy campers. Plus, who can resist that gorgeous color?

Ingredients

Gather up these simple goodies. Most of these are probably already hanging out in your pantry!

1 pound (16 ounces) carrots: The star of the show! Look for firm, bright orange carrots. Peeling them gives them a nice smooth texture, and cutting them into roughly 1/2-inch pieces ensures they cook evenly and quickly in the air fryer.
1 tablespoon olive oil: Just enough to help the seasoning stick and give them a little head start on crisping.
1 tablespoon butter, melted: Adds a touch of richness to our glaze. You can use unsalted or salted, just adjust your added salt accordingly.
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze: This is the thick, syrupy stuff, not regular balsamic vinegar! It’s sweet and tangy and coats the carrots beautifully. You can buy it or even make your own by simmering down balsamic vinegar.
2 teaspoons honey: For that lovely touch of sweetness that caramelizes and balances the tang of the balsamic. Maple syrup works too if you prefer!
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt: Essential for bringing out the natural sweetness of the carrots.
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper: Just a pinch for a little warmth.
1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped (for garnish): Optional, but I absolutely love the little pop of fresh oniony flavor and bright green color this adds at the end. Highly recommend!

How to Make It

Let’s get these gorgeous carrots into your air fryer! It’s seriously simple, I promise.

First things first, grab your peeled and chopped carrots and pop them into a medium-sized bowl. Drizzle in the olive oil, sprinkle with the kosher salt and black pepper. Give everything a good toss with your hands or a spoon until all the carrot pieces look nicely coated.
Now, arrange those seasoned carrots in your air fryer basket. The key here is to try and get them in a single layer. This allows the hot air to circulate all around them, which is how you get that perfect tender-crisp texture. If your air fryer basket is small, you might need to cook them in two batches. Don’t overcrowd!
Pop the basket into your air fryer and set it to 400°F (200°C). Let them air fry for about 15-20 minutes. Make sure to give the basket a good shake about halfway through (around the 8-10 minute mark). This helps them cook evenly and prevents sticking. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re tender when you pierce them with a fork and look slightly caramelized around the edges. Remember, air fryers can vary, so keep an eye on them the first time you make these!
While your carrots are getting happy in the air fryer, let’s make that glorious glaze. In a small bowl, melt your butter (the air fryer or a quick zap in the microwave works!). Then, whisk in the balsamic glaze and honey until it’s smooth and combined.
Once the carrots are perfectly cooked, carefully transfer them back to the bowl you used earlier. Pour the warm glaze mixture all over them. Gently toss everything together until every single carrot piece is glistening and coated in that yummy glaze.
Now, this step is optional, but I find it really helps the glaze cling beautifully. You can return the glazed carrots to the air fryer basket for just 1-2 more minutes. This helps the glaze set up a little bit and get slightly sticky. Just be quick so they don’t burn!
Finally, transfer your beautiful glazed carrots to a serving dish. If you’re using them, sprinkle those fresh chopped chives over the top for a pop of color and flavor. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is super flexible! Feel free to play around and make it your own:

No Balsamic Glaze? You can make your own! Simmer 1/2 cup of good quality balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until it reduces by about half and becomes syrupy. Let it cool slightly to thicken. Or, you could try using maple syrup instead of honey in the glaze for a different sweet note.
Other Herbs: Instead of chives, try a sprinkle of fresh parsley or even a little fresh thyme or rosemary added with the carrots before air frying.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix for a little heat.
Citrus Zing: A squeeze of fresh orange juice whisked into the glaze can add a bright, zesty twist.
Nutty Crunch: A sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts just before serving would be delicious!

Tips for Success

A few little things to keep in mind to ensure your carrots turn out perfect every time:

Cut Evenly: Try to cut your carrots into pieces that are roughly the same size. This ensures they all finish cooking at the same time.
Don’t Overcrowd: This is probably the most important air fryer tip! Giving the carrots space to breathe allows the air to circulate and get them tender-crisp instead of just steamed. Cook in batches if needed.
Shake That Basket: Shaking halfway through is crucial for even cooking and browning.
Watch Your Air Fryer: Cooking times can vary significantly between different air fryer models. The first time you make these, start checking for doneness around the 12-14 minute mark.
Prep Ahead: You can peel and cut the carrots a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. This makes whipping up the dish even faster!

How to Store It

Leftover Balsamic Glazed Air Fryer Carrots (if you have any!) are fantastic. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through, or gently warm them in a skillet on the stovetop. The air fryer method will help crisp them up again nicely.

FAQs

Here are a couple of common questions you might have:

Can I use baby carrots? Yes, absolutely! If using baby carrots, you likely won’t need to cut them, but keep an eye on the cooking time as they might cook slightly faster or slower depending on their size. Toss them just the same.

What’s the difference between balsamic vinegar and balsamic glaze? Great question! Balsamic vinegar is thin and acidic. Balsamic glaze (or reduction) is balsamic vinegar that has been simmered and reduced until it’s thick and syrupy. It’s much sweeter and less acidic than the vinegar, making it perfect for coating and drizzling.

My carrots aren’t getting tender – what’s wrong? Make sure your air fryer is preheated if your model requires it. Also, ensure you’re not overcrowding the basket, and check that you’re cooking at the correct temperature (400°F / 200°C). If the pieces are very thick, they might just need a few extra minutes.

Easy Balsamic Glazed Air Fryer Carrots

These Balsamic Glazed Air Fryer Carrots are a simple, comforting side dish that’s fast, easy, and tastes like pure sunshine. Tender-crisp carrots coated in a sweet and savory balsamic glaze, whipped up in minutes in your air fryer.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 22

Equipment

Air Fryer
Medium-sized bowl
Small bowl For making the glaze
Serving dish

Ingredients

1 pound carrots (16 ounces) peeled and chopped into roughly 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter melted
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze thick, syrupy stuff, not regular balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons honey maple syrup works too
0.25 teaspoon kosher salt
0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh chives finely chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

First things first, grab your peeled and chopped carrots and pop them into a medium-sized bowl. Drizzle in the olive oil, sprinkle with the kosher salt and black pepper. Give everything a good toss with your hands or a spoon until all the carrot pieces look nicely coated.
Now, arrange those seasoned carrots in your air fryer basket. The key here is to try and get them in a single layer. This allows the hot air to circulate all around them, which is how you get that perfect tender-crisp texture. If your air fryer basket is small, you might need to cook them in two batches. Don't overcrowd!
Pop the basket into your air fryer and set it to 400°F (200°C). Let them air fry for about 15-20 minutes. Make sure to give the basket a good shake about halfway through (around the 8-10 minute mark). This helps them cook evenly and prevents sticking. You'll know they're ready when they're tender when you pierce them with a fork and look slightly caramelized around the edges. Remember, air fryers can vary, so keep an eye on them the first time you make these!
While your carrots are getting happy in the air fryer, let's make that glorious glaze. In a small bowl, melt your butter (the air fryer or a quick zap in the microwave works!). Then, whisk in the balsamic glaze and honey until it's smooth and combined.
Once the carrots are perfectly cooked, carefully transfer them back to the bowl you used earlier. Pour the warm glaze mixture all over them. Gently toss everything together until every single carrot piece is glistening and coated in that yummy glaze.
Now, this step is optional, but I find it really helps the glaze cling beautifully. You can return the glazed carrots to the air fryer basket for just 1-2 more minutes. This helps the glaze set up a little bit and get slightly sticky. Just be quick so they don't burn!
Finally, transfer your beautiful glazed carrots to a serving dish. If you're using them, sprinkle those fresh chopped chives over the top for a pop of color and flavor. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!

Notes

Tips:
- Cut carrots evenly for consistent cooking.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking for even results.
- Air fryer cooking times can vary; monitor them.
- Prep ahead: Peel and cut carrots a day in advance.
Substitutions/Additions:
- Make your own balsamic glaze by reducing balsamic vinegar.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Try other herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary.
- Add red pepper flakes for heat or orange juice for citrus.
- Sprinkle with toasted nuts for crunch.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes or gently in a skillet.