One of my favorite fall side dishes is these honey roasted air fryer beets and carrots. They come out perfectly caramelized with just the right amount of sweetness! They’re fancy enough for Thanksgiving, but easy enough for a weeknight, so I serve them all throughout autumn!
Why Make Beets and Carrots in the Air Fryer?
Making roasted beets and carrots in your air fryer is a fantastic way to bring out their natural sweetness and achieve a perfectly crispy exterior without using a lot of oil. Plus, the air fryer delivers equally good results compared to a traditional oven, but in a fraction of the time!
In addition to being delicious, these veggies are also a healthier choice! Beets are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and nitrates, which can help lower blood pressure. Carrots, on the other hand, are packed with beta-carotene, vitamin A, and other essential nutrients.
I love how many different ways you can season beets and carrots to your liking as well. I’m going with a honey roasted version accented with thyme, but you can use various herbs, spices, or even a drizzle of balsamic glaze to change things up.
This easy veggie side is perfect for pairing with a variety of main dishes, whether you’re preparing a hearty roast, grilled chicken, or a plant-based meal. It’s naturally gluten free and vegetarian, so it works with a variety of dietary needs too!
Katie’s tip
For a drink pairing option, you can enjoy fall flavors with my Beet Pomegranate Juice Lemonade!
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Air Fryer Beets and Carrots Ingredients
- 3 large beets (washed, peeled, and cut into ½” thick slices)
- 3 large carrots (washed, peeled, and cut into ½” thick medallions)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme (or another herb of choice)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use baby carrots if you prefer, but I think the bigger carrots give better flavor. Just make sure to cut your beets and carrots evenly so they cook in about the same time
- Instead of honey, you could also use maple syrup
- If you don’t like thyme, rosemary, dill, or parsley are other good options
- Other optional additions that work well: goat cheese or feta, balsamic glaze or vinegar, or roasted pistachios for a crunchy element
How to Make Air Fryer Beets and Carrots
- In a mixing bowl, combine the beets, carrots, olive oil, salt, and pepper, tossing well to coat thoroughly
- Add the veggies into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until they are fork tender
- Once they are soft, add the vegetables back into the mixing bowl, this time coating with the honey and butter
- Return to the air fryer and cook an additional 3-5 minutes at 400°F, until the edges are browned to your liking
- Top with fresh thyme (or your herb of choice) and serve!
More Air Fryer Beet Recipes
Recipe FAQs
How Do You Cook Beets And Carrots In An Air Fryer?
You cook beets and carrots in an air fryer by cutting them into evenly sized pieces, tossing them with a little oil, and seasoning with salt and pepper. Air fry them at 375°F to 400°F for about 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket about every 5 minutes for even cooking.
They’ll become tender on the inside and caramelized on the edges. Add any sweet or sugary ingredients in the last few minutes of cooking to prevent burning.
Can You Make Honey Roasted Beets And Carrots In The Air Fryer?
Yes, honey roasted beets and carrots are easy to make in the air fryer. Cook the vegetables until fork tender, then add the honey for the last few minutes just to caramelize.
While you could add honey before cooking, I find that it over browns and borders on burnt by the time the vegetables are soft, but if you like that, feel free to experiment.
Do You Need To Peel Beets And Carrots Before Air Frying?
It’s recommended to peel beets before air frying to avoid the tough skin, but it’s optional for carrots, depending on your preference.
The peels on carrots tend to soften during air frying, making them easier to eat even if unpeeled.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Beets And Carrots In An Air Fryer?
Beets and carrots take around 15-20 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 400°F, depending on their size and thickness.
Times can vary between different air fryer models as well. Be sure to shake the basket or stir the vegetables every 5 minutes or so to promote even cooking.
Can You Use Different Types Of Beets In An Air Fryer?
Yes, red, golden, and even chioggia (striped) beets work well in the air fryer.
The cooking method and times are the same, though golden beets are slightly less sweet compared to red beets.
What Can You Serve With Air Fried Beets And Carrots?
Air fried beets and carrots are a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of proteins like chicken, beef, or lamb.
They can also be added to salads, grain bowls, or served with hummus as a snack.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Air Fryer Beets and Carrots
- Make sure to cut your beets and carrots as even as possible so that they cook evenly. Since beets are usually larger, I cut them in half to get halfmoon slices and that generally works well
- I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe, since I stir my veggies a few times. In my Ninja air fryer, 15 minutes is perfect, and I usually do 4 minutes after adding the honey. Other air fryers will vary, and you may need to adjust slightly if your vegetables are a different thickness, so modify as needed for your particular situation
Storage and Reheating Tips For Honey Roasted Beets and Carrots
- Store any leftover honey roasted beets and carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up 5 days
- To reheat beets and carrots in the air fryer, air fry in a single layer at a lower temperature of 350°F, for 2-4 minutes (depending on quantity and size of pieces), until warmed through
- Air Fryer Roasted Carrots and Potatoes
Final Thoughts
Honey roasted air fryer beets and carrots are the perfect fall side dish. They’re ready in around 20 minutes, and come out tender, with caramelized edges and just the right amount of sweetness.
They’re easy enough that I serve them on weeknights, but elegant enough that they don’t look out of place on your Thanksgiving or holiday table! Plus, thanks to the air fryer, your oven can be used for other things while you make perfect honey roasted beets and carrots.
These roasted root vegetables are naturally gluten free and vegetarian, so you can fit a variety of dietary needs (and even if you don’t have special requirements, they’re so delicious you’ll still love them)!
Looking for more amazing ways to use your beets? Check out all of my Air Fryer Beet Recipes for more inspiration!
Air Fryer Beets and Carrots (Honey Roasted)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 large beets (washed, peeled, and cut into ½” thick slices)
- 3 large carrots (washed, peeled, and cut into ½” thick medallions)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp butter (melted)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or another herb of choice)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the beets, carrots, olive oil, salt, and pepper, tossing well to coat thoroughly3 large beets, 3 large carrots, 1 Tbsp olive oil, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Add the veggies into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until they are fork tender
- Once they are soft, add the vegetables back into the mixing bowl, this time coating with the honey and butter1 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp butter
- Return to the air fryer and cook an additional 3-5 minutes at 400°F, until the edges are browned to your liking
- Top with fresh thyme (or your herb of choice) and serve!1 tsp fresh thyme
Notes
- You can use baby carrots if you prefer, but I think the bigger carrots give better flavor. Just make sure to cut your beets and carrots evenly so they cook in about the same time
- Instead of honey, you could also use maple syrup
- If you don’t like thyme, rosemary, dill, or parsley are other good options
- Other optional additions that work well: goat cheese or feta, balsamic glaze or vinegar, or roasted pistachios for a crunchy element
- I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe, since I stir my veggies a few times. In my Ninja air fryer, 15 minutes is perfect, and I usually do 4 minutes after adding the honey. Other air fryers will vary, and you may need to adjust slightly if your vegetables are a different thickness, so modify as needed for your particular situation
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and variety of ingredients, any sauces or toppings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
