I love making air fryer honey-mustard glazed carrots in my air fryer. They’re caramelized perfection in just 15 minutes!
Just toss sliced carrots with honey, Dijon, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, then air fry at 390°F.
Shake halfway through for even browning and garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Pat the carrots dry first for extra caramelization.
Try maple syrup or multicolored carrots for fun variations.
Storage tricks make weeknight sides a breeze!
Ingredients
Crispy vegetables like carrots can be achieved using an air fryer, which enhances their texture and flavor while keeping them healthy.
Recommended Tools
Having the right kitchen tools on hand makes preparing these honey-mustard glazed carrots in your air fryer so much easier and more enjoyable. With these essentials, you’ll be able to prep, season and cook these delicious carrots without any kitchen stress.
- Air Fryer:
The star of the show that gives your carrots that perfect caramelization and tender texture without using a traditional oven.
- Vegetable Peeler:
Makes quick work of peeling those carrots before slicing them for the air fryer.
- Chef’s Knife:
Essential for slicing your carrots into even pieces that will cook uniformly in the air fryer.
- Mixing Bowl:
Needed for tossing the carrots with the honey-mustard glaze and making sure they’re evenly coated.
- Measuring Spoons:
Helps you get the perfect balance of honey, mustard and olive oil for that delicious glaze.
- Kitchen Tongs:
Useful for shaking and flipping the carrots halfway through cooking for even caramelization.
Additionally, using an air fryer can help you achieve a crispy texture similar to that of traditional frying methods, making your honey-mustard glazed carrots even more delightful.</p
Instructions for air fryer honey-mustard glazed carrots
Let’s get those delicious air fryer carrots going! First, preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) – this high heat is perfect for caramelizing those natural sugars in the carrots.
While that’s warming up, grab a medium bowl and add 1 pound of peeled and sliced carrots. Pour in 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 minced garlic clove. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, then toss everything together until your carrots are completely coated in that sweet-tangy mixture.
Make sure every carrot slice gets some love!
Now, arrange your coated carrots in the air fryer basket, trying to keep them in a single layer. Don’t worry if they overlap a little – just don’t pile them too high or they won’t cook evenly.
Cook those beautiful orange sticks for about 15 minutes total, but don’t just walk away! Halfway through (around the 7-minute mark), give the basket a good shake to flip the carrots. This helps them brown evenly on all sides.
When they’re done, your carrots should be tender when pierced with a fork and have those gorgeous caramelized edges that are absolutely irresistible.
For an extra flavor boost, reserve a bit of the honey-mustard mixture before cooking and toss it with the hot carrots right after they’re done.
Finally, sprinkle with fresh thyme or parsley before serving. These herbs add a pop of color and fresh flavor that perfectly complements the sweet and tangy glaze.
Dig in while they’re hot!
Pro Tips
If your carrots aren’t caramelizing enough, try patting them completely dry before tossing with the honey-mustard mixture, as excess moisture can prevent proper browning in the air fryer.
Substitutions & Variations
While this honey-mustard glazed carrot recipe is delicious as written, exploring different ingredients can transform the flavor profile, texture, or presentation completely.
- Sweet Swap: Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a different sweetness profile that pairs wonderfully with the mustard.
- Heat Boost: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the glaze for a spicy-sweet combination that tingles the taste buds.
- Rainbow Carrots: Use multicolored heirloom carrots instead of orange ones for a visually striking dish with subtle flavor variations.
- Herb Infusion: Mix in 1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary or tarragon instead of thyme or parsley to create an entirely new aromatic experience.
- Citrus Twist: Add 1 teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the glaze mixture for a bright refreshing note that complements the honey-mustard.
- Nutty Finish: Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds or chopped pecans over the finished carrots for added crunch and richness.
Leftovers & Storage Tips
These glazed carrots taste almost better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together!
Store them in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F.
They’ll crisp right up without drying out!
Quick Weeknight Side Dish
Air Fryer Honey-Mustard Glazed Carrots
Tender carrots coated in a sweet and tangy honey-mustard glaze, perfectly caramelized in the air fryer.
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- Fresh herbs (thyme or parsley) to garnish
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, toss carrots with honey, mustard, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper until coated.
- Place carrots in air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook 15 minutes, shaking halfway, until tender and caramelized.
- Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
- For extra glaze, reserve some honey-mustard mix and toss with cooked carrots. Adjust seasoning to taste.
