Airfryer Roasted Vegetables (Caramelized Rainbow Carrots)

These refreshing air fryer roasted carrots are packed with flavors and super easy to make! They'll be ready in under 30 mins! Check out details on how to make roasted carrots in the air fryer below!

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

• Thyme and cilantro give this dish an herb-y flavor, which perfectly complements the caramelized vegetables.
• Lemon brings a little bit of acidity to keep everything well-balanced.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Bunch of rainbow carrots: Roasting carrots retains more of its nutrients than boiling or steaming them. 
• Fresh Thyme: it's sharp and minty flavor blends well with the vegetables once roasted.
• Garlic: Roasting garlic has a sweet and mild taste. Use unpeeled garlic for this recipe to prevent burning.
• Olive / Avocado Oil: to coat the vegetables to keep them well-roasted. You may also use Canola Oil.
• Cilantro: the tangy, citrusy flavor of cilantro brings warmth and balance to the roasted carrots.
• Lemon Zest and Lemon Juice: a little bit of acidity in the dish cuts the greasiness and brings in a fresh, clean taste.
• Salt and pepper to taste: You can use any kind of salt and pepper according to your liking, but we recommend freshly cracked black pepper! 

STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS

For the carrots

1. Place carrots on the grill gate. Make sure they are spaced out evenly in one layer. Avoid overcrowding.
2. Sprinkle the fresh thyme and throw in the unpeeled garlic.
3. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper (Tip: keep your hand high when seasoning food so that particles are evenly dispersed).
4. Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil over the vegetables.
5. Turn on the Ninja Foodi Grill and choose the airfryer function. Set it to High (about 400 degrees Fahrenheit) and let it PreHeat.
6. Set the timer for about 20 minutes. Toss halfway to ensure even grilling.

For the topping 

1. Add chopped cilantro in a bowl.
2. Zest lemon. Make sure to zest only the yellow part as the white part of the skin brings a bitter taste.
3. Squeeze in a quarter of lemon juice. You can use a sieve to separate seeds from the juice.
4. Add the olive oil and mix in a touch of honey for some sweetness.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

FAQs 

• Are Air Fryer vegetables healthy?

Yes! Air-fried vegetables are significantly lower in fat, calories, and acrylamide than deep-fried ones. In addition, air frying retains a lot more nutrients as well, making this the healthier option.

How do you steam vegetables in an air fryer?

You cannot steam vegetables in an air fryer. Steaming is a method of cooking that requires heating water to create steam. Pouring water in an air fryer will damage the equipment. It is also worth noting that an air fryer is supposed to make food crisp, while steaming makes the food moist.

What temperature is best for roasting vegetables?

400 degrees Fahrenheit is the best temperature for roasting most vegetables. This encourages evenly browned and crispy outer layers and a fork-tender interior. 

EXPERT TIPS

Roasting vegetables is easy! If you want to make them perfectly cooked i.e. tender interior and caramelized exterior - every single time, try the following:

1. Use the grill gate, which is the grilling accessory that forms the base of the Ninja Foodi Grill, for best results!
2. If you’re cutting the vegetables before roasting, make sure they are cut into similar sizes so that they cook evenly.
3. Make sure to evenly space out the carrots for consistency and for a more even grilling. Carrots arranged in layers or placed so closely together will steam. This makes them mushy rather than caramelized. Do not overcrowd the vegetables.
4. Roasting time depends on which vegetables you’re roasting, so if you’re roasting different vegetables, you can sort them into multiple categories (for example, starchy veggies such as squash, potatoes, chickpeas and peas are cooked together in one batch)
5. If the vegetables start to dry out,  you can toss some vinaigrette.
6. Monitor the temperature and ensure that you maintain at least 400 degrees fahrenheit. Roasted vegetables aren’t high maintenance at all, but it’s important to take note that different ovens work differently. To make it consistent, it will be very helpful to use an oven thermometer. This will help you avoid burnt, overcooked or undercooked veggies.
7. Avoid burning the bottom edges by flipping the vegetables halfway through. Don’t skip this! This makes them golden all over as well.
8. How will you know if you have perfectly roasted the vegetables? Roast until there is browning, some charred edges, and when they are tender enough to pierce with a fork.

Serving suggestions

Roast vegetables are a fantastic match to the following entrees as a side dish or bedding:

• Roast chicken
• Ribeye Steak
• Fillet Mignon
• Greek Chicken Souvlaki
• Broiled lamb
• Baked Salmon
• Baked Trout
• Beef Kofta Meatballs 
• Place on top of toasted baguettes for an open-faced sandwich
• As topping for Quinoa or polenta
• Or blend the roasted vegetables with chicken stock to make a hearty, comforting soup!