Ingredients
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- Carrots: 1 lb (about 450g) medium carrots, peeled and sliced (about ½-inch thick rounds, diagonally, or into sticks)
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- Pure Maple Syrup: 2-3 tablespoons (use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup)
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- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (or avocado oil)
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- Seasonings:
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- Salt: ¼ – ½ teaspoon, or to taste
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- Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon, freshly ground, or to taste
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- Optional Spices:
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- Cinnamon: ¼ teaspoon (for a warm, cozy flavor)
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- Ginger Powder: ¼ teaspoon (for a subtle zing)
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- Nutmeg: A tiny pinch
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- Thyme or Rosemary: ½ teaspoon dried, or 1 teaspoon fresh, chopped (for a more savory herb note)
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- Optional Spices:
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- Seasonings:
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- Optional Garnish: Fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
A Note on Ingredients:
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- Carrots: You can use regular orange carrots, rainbow carrots for extra color, or even baby carrots (though cooking time might need slight adjustment). Try to cut them into uniform pieces for even cooking.
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- Maple Syrup: The quality of your maple syrup matters. Use 100% pure maple syrup for the best flavor. Grade A Dark Robust (formerly Grade B) often has a richer maple flavor that works well in glazes.
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- Oil: A little oil helps with caramelization and prevents sticking.
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- Spices: The cinnamon/ginger/nutmeg combination lends a classic sweet-spice profile. For a more savory version, omit these and use herbs like thyme or rosemary. Feel free to experiment!
Instructions
1. Prepare the Carrots (5 minutes):
* Wash and peel the carrots.
* Slice the carrots into uniform pieces. You can cut them into:
* Rounds (about ½-inch thick)
* Diagonal slices (crinkle-cut also looks nice)
* Sticks (like carrot fries, about ½-inch thick)
* Ensure the pieces are roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
2. Make the Maple Glaze (2 minutes):
* In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the pure maple syrup, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and any optional spices you are using (cinnamon, ginger, thyme, etc.).
3. Glaze the Carrots (1 minute):
* Add the prepared carrot pieces to the bowl with the maple glaze.
* Toss well to ensure all the carrot pieces are evenly coated with the glaze.
4. Air Fry the Carrots (12-18 minutes):
* Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F (190-200°C) for a few minutes if your model requires it. (A common temperature for carrots is 390°F or 195°C).
* Arrange the glazed carrots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Try not to overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary for the best caramelization and even cooking. Some overlap is okay, but a single layer is ideal.
* Air fry for 12-18 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the carrots halfway through the cooking time (around the 6-9 minute mark).
* The carrots are done when they are tender when pierced with a fork and have nicely caramelized, slightly browned edges. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your carrot pieces and your specific air fryer model. Start checking for doneness around the 12-minute mark.
5. Rest and Serve (1-2 minutes):
* Carefully remove the hot carrots from the air fryer basket.
* Let them rest for a minute or two. The glaze will continue to thicken slightly as they cool.
* Taste and add an extra pinch of salt if needed.
* Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or thyme, if desired.
* Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 100-150