Air Fryer Brown Sugar Carrots (Sweet, Buttery & Easy)

Name: Air Fryer Brown Sugar Carrots
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 23 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ lbs carrots (peeled and chopped); ¼ cup butter (melted); ⅓ cup brown sugar; ½ tsp cinnamon (optional); ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper

These air fryer brown sugar carrots are soft, sweet, and coated in a buttery brown sugar glaze for an easy side dish 👇👇

They cook quickly in the air fryer and come out tender with slightly caramelized edges. This is one of those simple recipes I make when I want a vegetable that actually tastes good without much effort.

air fryer carrots in an air fryer basket

Why I Love This Recipe

Great for holidays or weeknights - easy enough for a regular dinner, but the sweet glaze makes it feel special on a holiday table
Sweet and buttery - brown sugar and butter create a simple glaze that makes carrots actually taste good
Quick side dish - ready in under 20 minutes with very little hands-on time
Kid-friendly - the natural sweetness makes these an easy vegetable most kids will actually eat
Minimal prep - just peel, chop, and toss everything together

They're similar to my roasted brown sugar carrots, but cook faster and get lightly caramelized in the air fryer.

Ingredients to make air fryer carrots in bowls beside some carrots

Recipe Ingredients 👇👇

1½-2 lbs carrots - peeled and chopped. You can also use baby carrots but they will be softer due to moisture content.
¼ cup salted butter - melted in microwave
⅓ cup brown sugar - adds sweetness and helps caramelize the carrots
½ tsp cinnamon - Optional. It adds a warm flavor, but some readers prefer this recipe without it.
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

Fun fact: you can make your own brown sugar really easily using my homemade recipe!

Tools I Used:

Ninja Crispi Air Fryer 👉 this is the one I use most often, I like that it uses a glass container instead of plastic and and keeps things simple.

How Long To Cook Carrots In The Air Fryer

Carrots typically take 15-18 minutes at 400°F, depending on how thick they're chopped.

Thin slices → cook faster (closer to 12-15 minutes)
Thicker pieces → take longer (up to 18-20 minutes)

👉 The carrots are done when they're fork tender and lightly caramelized on the edges.

Step-By-Step Instructions 👇👇

a bowl with ingredients dumped in unmixed then mixed to create a brown sugar sauce.

Step 1: Prep The Carrots

Peel and chop 1½-2 lbs carrots into evenly sized pieces so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Mix The Glaze

In a large bowl, combine ¼ cup melted butter (melt in microwave), ⅓ cup brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon (optional), ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper.

Sliced carrots in a bowl tossed with seasonings

Step 3: Coat The Carrots

Add the chopped carrots to the bowl and toss together until they are evenly coated.

Sliced carrots inside a ninja crispi air fryer

Step 4: Cook

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes.

Add the carrots in a single layer and cook at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, tossing halfway through.

👉 NOTE: Check during the last few minutes to make sure the glaze isn't burning, especially depending on your air fryer.

Serve warm once the carrots are tender and lightly caramelized.

How To Know When Air Fryer Carrots Are Done

Fork tender - If you can easily pierce one with a fork, then they're done!
Edges slightly caramelized - You'll see edges that are golden brown, not burnt
Soft inside - The texture will be soft when you bite into one. No crunch unless you prefer them firmer and a little undercooked.

👉 If they're still firm, just cook a few minutes longer.

close up of chopped carrots in an air fryer

Recipe Tips

Cut carrots in even sizes - helps them cook at the same rate
Don't overcrowd the basket - this helps them caramelize instead of steam
Toss halfway through cooking - ensures even browning
Watch the glaze near the end - butter and sugar can brown quickly and may burn so keep an eye on your air fryer!
Use parchment if needed - air fryer parchment paper liners help prevent sticking in some air fryers

Why Carrots Can Burn in the Air Fryer

Because these carrots are coated in butter and brown sugar, they can cook faster near the end than you might expect.

As the sugar heats up, it starts to caramelize and turn golden. This is what gives the carrots their flavor, but if they stay in too long, it can quickly turn from golden to burnt.

A few things can make this happen faster:

Sugar in the glaze: caramelizes quickly at high heat
High temperature (400°F): helps the carrots to cook fast, but also brown faster
Crowded basket: traps heat and moisture, which can affect how they cook

👉 The best way to prevent this is to check the carrots during the last few minutes and give them a quick toss if needed.

How To Store Leftovers

Refrigerate - Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They will lose any crispiness over time but can be reheated back in the air fryer.
To Reheat - Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, or until edges crispen up and carrots are warmed through.

Easy Variations

Spiced carrots: add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin spice to give them a warm, cozy flavor, especially nice for fall or holiday meals
Savory version: skip the sugar and toss the carrots with garlic, olive oil, and herbs for a more classic, less sweet side dish
Garlic butter carrots: leave out the brown sugar and add garlic and parmesan at the end for a rich, savory flavor

close up of cooked carrots on a wood spoon above an air fryer

What To Serve With Air Fryer Brown Sugar Carrots

If you're making this for dinner, I usually keep it simple and pair it with another air fryer side so everything cooks quickly with minimal cleanup.

Air fryer broccoli: quick, crispy, and goes with everything
Air fryer carrots: slightly sweet and super easy
Air fryer green beans: simple, fast, and always a win
Air fryer brussels sprouts: crispy edges with a soft center
Air fryer sweet potato fries: great if you want something a bit more filling
Crispy air fryer potatoes: classic and always works

👉 Or browse all my air fryer side dishes or full collection of air fryer recipes for more easy ideas.

FAQs

Do I have to peel the carrots?

No, but peeling gives a smoother texture and better coating for the glaze.

Can I use baby carrots?

Yes, but baby carrots have more moisture so they may take a bit longer to cook and won't caramelize quite the same.

Why are my carrots not caramelizing?

They may be overcrowded or have too much moisture. Make sure they're spaced out in the basket. Regular carrots will carmelize better than baby carrots.