Air Fryer Carrots with Pesto Butter Recipe
This delicious Air Fryer Carrots recipe features tender carrot slices cooked to perfection in an air fryer, tossed with a flavorful blend of olive oil, salt, and pepper, then finished with a rich butter and pesto sauce. A quick and easy side dish that perfectly balances roasted flavor with fresh herbaceous notes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots
- ½ pound carrots (peeled and stem removed)
Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Butter Pesto Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon prepared pesto sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 325°F and allow it to preheat for a few minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare the carrots: Cut the peeled carrots into ½ inch slices. In a bowl, toss the carrot slices with olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Air fry the carrots: Place the seasoned carrot slices directly into the air fryer basket. Cook them for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking or tossing the carrots halfway through cooking to promote even browning.
- Make the butter pesto sauce: While the carrots cook, combine the melted unsalted butter and prepared pesto sauce in a small bowl and mix well.
- Toss and serve: Once the carrots are tender and cooked through, remove them from the air fryer and toss immediately with the butter pesto sauce. Serve warm as a flavorful side dish.
Notes
- Peeling the carrots ensures a smoother texture and better flavor absorption.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more salt or pepper if desired.
- For a nuttier flavor, try adding a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese after tossing with the pesto butter.
- If you don’t have prepared pesto, store-bought basil pesto or your favorite herb-based sauce can be used.
- Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps the carrots cook evenly and develop a slight caramelization.
Keywords: Air Fryer Carrots, Pesto Carrots, Easy Side Dish, Air Fryer Vegetables, Healthy Carrot Recipe
