These air fryer bacon wrapped carrots are everything to love in a side dish! Tender, naturally sweet carrots meet crispy, smoky bacon, and a glaze made from hot honey for a little sweet heat. They work perfectly as a side dish for everything from Easter to a weeknight!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Air fryer means perfectly crisp bacon. The circulating heat helps the bacon render and crisp up beautifully without flipping or fussing
- Caramelized, tender carrots. The carrots soften on the inside while getting lightly caramelized on the edges
- Sweet and savory perfection. Naturally sweet carrots + smoky bacon is that effortless flavor combo that always wins
- Faster than the oven. No preheating a big oven; the air fryer gets them cooked and crisped quickly (plus it leaves the oven available for a larger main course)
- Minimal cleanup. Everything cooks in one basket, making this an easy side for busy weeknights or holidays!
- Impressive but simple. They look fancy enough for Easter, Thanksgiving, or a dinner party, but the prep is super straightforward
- Customizable flavor. Add a drizzle of brown sugar, maple syrup, balsamic glaze, or a sprinkle of fresh herbs to make them your own! They’re naturally gluten free too, so they work for a variety of dietary needs
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Ingredients List
- 8 medium whole carrots, peeled
- 8 slices of bacon (not thick cut)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp hot honey
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- The thickness of your carrots will affect cooking time. I usually try to keep them around ¾” diameter (you can use larger ones, but they take longer and may overcook the bacon to get them cooked through). Smaller ones are fine but I recommend making small bundles of 2-3 carrots in that case (so they equal a similar size to an average carrot)
- Flavored bacon (like maple or brown sugar bacon) are great choices here too, but I use plain
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste. Other good choices include onion powder, paprika, thyme, or parsley
- Instead of hot honey, you can use regular honey, pure maple syrup, or brown sugar instead!
Step By Step Instructions
- Toss your peeled carrots with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder
- Start at the larger end of the carrot, wrapping a piece of bacon around each carrot with just a slight amount of overlap. Tuck the end in when you reach the bottom
- Place the bacon wrapped carrots into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, seam side down, leaving air space between each one
- Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F (or 380°F, depending on available settings) for 12-15 minutes, until the bacon has started to brown and carrots are slightly firm but mostly cooked through (this can vary a bit between carrot sizes and air fryers, so adjust as needed). While you can flip the carrots, I don’t find it necessary, and the bacon stays on better if you just leave them be
- Brush on the hot honey and cook an additional 3-5 minutes until caramelized to your liking
- Top with fresh herbs if desired before serving (optional), and enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Main Courses
- Roast chicken: A classic, simple main that lets the sweet-smoky carrots shine!
- Glazed ham: Sweet ham and smoky bacon create a perfect flavor match. Try my air fryer hot honey glazed Small Ham!
- Grilled steak: The savory richness of steak pairs beautifully with the caramelized carrots
- Pork tenderloin: Mild pork flavors work well with the bacon and natural sweetness of carrots
- Roast turkey: A great holiday-style pairing that complements traditional flavors. Double down with my air fryer Bacon Wrapped Turkey Tenderloin!
Comforting Sides
- Creamy mashed potatoes: The buttery texture balances the crisp bacon
- Mac and cheese: Rich, cheesy comfort food that fits perfectly with the smoky carrots
- Air fryer roasted potatoes: Crispy potatoes keep the meal cohesive and hearty
- Buttery dinner rolls: Perfect for rounding out a cozy meal
Fresh Pairings
- Simple mixed greens salad: A light vinaigrette helps balance the richness of the bacon
- Arugula salad with lemon dressing: Peppery greens add brightness and contrast
- Cucumber salad: Crisp and refreshing alongside the savory carrots
Drinks
- Pinot Noir: Light-bodied red that complements smoky bacon without overpowering the dish!
- Chardonnay: Buttery notes work nicely with the savory flavors
- Amber ale: Malty sweetness pairs well with caramelized carrots and bacon
- Sparkling apple cider: A lightly sweet option that balances the saltiness
- Maple Old Fashioned: The maple and bourbon echo the smoky, caramelized flavors of the bacon and carrots
Recipe FAQs
Do Carrots And Bacon Go Together?
Yes! Carrots and bacon are a classic sweet-and-savory pairing. The natural sweetness of the carrots balances the smoky, salty flavor of the bacon, creating a rich and flavorful bite.
Can I Bake These In The Oven Instead?
Absolutely. Bacon wrapped carrots can be baked in the oven at about 400°F until the bacon is crisp and the carrots are tender (usually about 35 minutes). You may want to turn them halfway through cooking to help the bacon crisp evenly, and add the honey in the last 5 minutes.
What Happens When You Put Carrots In The Air Fryer?
Carrots become tender on the inside and slightly caramelized on the outside when cooked in the air fryer. The circulating hot air helps concentrate their natural sweetness while creating lightly crisp edges.
Tips For the Best Bacon Wrapped Carrots
- Try to pick carrots that are similarly sized so that they cook more evenly (otherwise you may need to pull thinner ones sooner)
- This recipe easily doubles, but cook in batches if needed so as to not overcrowd them (they need a little air space between each carrot to get even browning)
- Honey can be difficult to spread, so feel free to microwave it for 10-15 seconds to loosen it before applying it to the bacon wrapped carrots. You can also drizzle it on after cooking if preferred (it just won’t caramelize on that way)
- Preheating your air fryer is not necessary for this recipe, but if you do, you can cut 1-2 minutes off cooking time usually
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Cool before storing. Let the bacon-wrapped carrots cool to room temperature so steam doesn’t soften the bacon
- Store in an airtight container. Place leftovers in a sealed container or wrap tightly in foil. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days
- Freeze if needed. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. The bacon may lose a little crispness after thawing, but they’ll still taste great!
Reheating Tips
- Air fryer (best method). Reheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the carrots are heated through
- Oven method. Place on a baking sheet and warm at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes
- Microwave (quick option). Heat in short intervals, but note that the bacon will soften
- Avoid overcrowding. Just like the initial cook, it’s important to give the carrots space when reheating so the bacon can crisp back up properly!
- Carrots and Potatoes
- Carrot Chips
Final Thoughts
These air fryer bacon wrapped carrots are such a delicious side option, matching the naturally sweet cooked carrot with smoky bacon and sweet heat from the hot honey. Plus, they’re also gluten free without trying, making them versatile for different dietary needs.
The air fryer gives perfect caramelized edges that pack in all the flavor, while being faster than a traditional oven (or leaving it open for a larger main course). Whether you serve these carrots alongside a holiday ham or just on a weeknight, they’re always a hit!
Looking for more veggie inspiration? Check out all of my Air Fryer Carrot Recipes for delicious sides, snacks, and more!
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Carrots (With Hot Honey)
Servings: 4
These air fryer bacon wrapped carrots are the perfect sweet meets savory side! Tender carrots, crispy, smoky bacon and sweet heat from hot honey make them great for holidays and weeknights alike.
Ingredients
- 8 medium carrots (peeled)
- 8 slices bacon (regular; not thick sliced)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp hot honey (such as Mike's)
Instructions
- Toss your peeled carrots with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder8 medium carrots, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder
- Start at the larger end of the carrot, wrapping a piece of bacon around each carrot with just a slight amount of overlap. Tuck the end in when you reach the bottom (or make sure to leave the seam on the bottom side)8 slices bacon
- Place the bacon wrapped carrots into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, seam side down, leaving air space between each one
- Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F (or 380°F, depending on available settings) for 12-15 minutes, until the bacon has started to brown and carrots are slightly firm but mostly cooked through (this can vary a bit between carrot sizes and air fryers, so adjust as needed). While you can flip the carrots, I don’t find it necessary, and the bacon stays on better if you just leave them be
- Brush on the hot honey and cook an additional 3-5 minutes until caramelized to your liking2 Tbsp hot honey
- Top with fresh herbs if desired before serving (optional), and enjoy!
Notes
- The thickness of your carrots will affect cooking time. I usually try to keep them around ¾” – 1” diameter (larger ones will take longer and may overcook the bacon to get them cooked through). If you use very thin carrots, I recommend making small bundles of 2-3 carrots together (so they equal a similar size to an average carrot)
- I use plain bacon, but flavored bacon (like maple or brown sugar) is great too
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste. Other good choices include onion powder, paprika, thyme, or parsley
- Instead of hot honey, you can use regular honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar instead
- This recipe easily doubles, but cook in batches if needed so as to not overcrowd them
- If the honey is difficult to spread, microwave it for 10-15 seconds to loosen it
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or seasonings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 190g | Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 8.9g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7.1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 796mg | Potassium: 510mg | Fiber: 3.5g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 3413IU | Vitamin C: 7.2mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 0.6mg
