Air frying carrots with thyme are the perfect side dish. They are top allergen free, vegan, full of taste so they are excellent for meeting the needs of many diets at family dinners.
Jump to:
- Why We Like This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Instructions/
- Directions and Tips To Cook Carrots in the Air Fryer
- Substitutions
- Variations and Adaptations
- Equipment Needed to Make Air Fried Carrots
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Storage
- Top Tip
- What To Serve With Air Frying Carrots With Thyme
- Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- 📖 Recipe
- Food Safety
- Latest Posts
- 💬 Comments
Why We Like This Recipe
This is the first cooked carrots recipe that most of our kids will eat. We have some pretty picky eaters but we wanted to make something for many people to enjoy. Having a dish that is delicious that can be brought to a potluck or family dinner where everyone not only can eat it but loves eating it is super important. For me it meant a dish that was easy and would take little fuss to use other kitchen appliances for air frying carrots.
Carrots in were on sale and we wanted to find a recipe that would please our most discriminating taster and pickiest eater in the family. Our whole family loved this side dish of carrots in the air fryer and the picky one even has seconds every time we make it. We hope you love it as much as we do.
Ingredients
- Carrots
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Fresh thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
- Maple Syrup
- Lemon
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions/
Directions and Tips To Cook Carrots in the Air Fryer
1- Preheat the air fryer.
The size of the air fryer you have may mean that large quantities will need to be cooked in batches.
2- Slice carrots.
Each carrot should be cut into ¼ inch coins and place in a medium bowl. The more uniform the thickness the more evenly the carrots cook.
3- Drizzle carrots with olive oil.
Use as little oil as possible to evenly coat in a thin layer. Extra oil will collect in the bottom of the bowl. It isn’t needed in the air fryer. To use less dishes later this bowl can be rinsed out and used after the carrots are cooked. The recipe does not contain meat so it is safes
4- Mix the spices.
In a small bowl combine garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. It is better to mix the spices and then sprinkle them on the carrots. Sprinkling each directly on the carrots can make the spices clump and not be spread over all the carrots.
5- Add spices to carrots.
Sprinkle mixed herbs and spices on the carrots and mix well to distribute evenly.
6- Ready the air fryer basket.
Spray the fryer basket with a bit of oil from an oil pump. Place carrots into the basket and shake to make a thin layer. A thin layer helps to let the air circulate in the air fryer and the cooking will be the most even.
7- Cook at 400F for 12 mins.
Shake halfway through at 6 minutes to flip and get all the carrots a bit roasted on the edges.
8- Add the last ingredients.
When finished cooking, put carrots in a bowl, pour in maple syrup and lemon juice. Stir well with a spoon to coat.
Hint: using an oil pump to spray oil on the air fryer basket can cut a lot of allergens out of your cooking. Many of the propelled sprays are not recommended for air fryer cooking and some contain top allergens.
Substitutions
Use mini carrots or baby carrots in place of large carrots to speed up the preparation of the recipe. Always check the package and with the manufacturer for cross contact with your allergens. Using pre-cut or baby carrots will make this recipe that much quicker and easier to make. All are suitable for this air frying carrots with thyme recipe.
Honey is a good substitute for maple syrup, in equal parts. It is not a vegan option though and is not suitable if looking to keep this dish vegan.
Substitute carrots with parsnips, broccoli, and cauliflower, if desired. to keep variety in different meals try a a mix made of these vegetables can be done as well.
It is possible to use other high smoke point oils instead of olive oil. Canola or rapeseed are good alternatives. Avoid vegetable oil as it can be made from soybeans, though highly processed some people may still react to highly processed allergens in oils.
Variations and Adaptations
To make this a spicier version of these air frying carrots add ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon paprika, and ¼ teaspoon of chilli powder. Mix these spices into the spice mix. Alternatively, before serving sprinkling on red chilli flakes.
Equipment Needed to Make Air Fried Carrots
What you will need to make this recipe for cooking carrots in the air fryer:
- An Air Fryer
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Bowl
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage
Fridge
Store Carrots in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container.
Freezer
The carrots don’t hold up well after freezing. They don’t hold together when freezing after cooking. They go mushy.
Reheating
Air fried carrots with thyme can be eaten cold or hot.
Stove Top
In a frying pan over medium heat cook the carrots until heated through. Stir often. They shouldn’t need to have any oil added to the pan as they will have the residual oil on them from the initial cooking.
Microwave
In a microwave safe dish heat the carrots for 45 seconds, stir and check that all the carrots have warmed through. If extra reheating is required, heat for 20 seconds at a time.
Top Tip
Using the air fryer to cook carrots will take a huge load off cooking the rest of the meal. Using this piece of equipment can help alleviate the work required when cooking as it is hands off, for the most part. Air frying carrots make them tender and perfectly cooked with no fuss and hassle.
What To Serve With Air Frying Carrots With Thyme
This easy side dish is perfect for large gatherings, holiday dinners,and barbecues. These roasted carrots pair well with roasted chicken, roast beef, turkey meatballs, meatloaf, and more. The air fried carrots with thyme are suitable for meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans.
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📖 Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 8 Whole Large Carrots peeled and washed
- 1-2 Tbsps Olive oil
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Fresh thyme leaves leaves stripped from the stems (see notes for using dried)
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- Juice of ½ Lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer.
- Slice carrots into ¼ inch coins and place in a medium bowl.
- Drizzle carrots with olive oil. Use as little oil as possible to evenly coat in a thin layer.
- In a small bowl combine garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle mixed herbs and spices on the carrots and mix well to distribute evenly.
- Spray the fryer basket with a bit of oil from an oil pump. Place carrots into the basket and shake to make a thin layer.
- Cook at 400F for 12 mins. Shake halfway through.
- When finished cooking, put carrots in a bowl, pour in maple syrup and lemon juice. Stir with a spoon to coat.
Notes
- To replace fresh thyme leaves for dried reduce the amount to ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme.
- Carrots will stick together. Mix well to get herbs and spices to coat evenly.
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Always check with manufacturers for cross contact with herbs and spices.
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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