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Air Fryer Peas and Carrots

Name: Air Fryer Peas and Carrots
Prep time: 7 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 12 min
Ingredients: 1 cup peas (frozen or canned); 1 cup carrots (frozen or canned); 1 teaspoon olive oil; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 1/8 teaspoon Salt (to taste); 1/12 teaspoon Black pepper (to taste)

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Air Fryer Peas and Carrots — Whip up a side dish as nutritious as it is delicious with our Air Fryer Peas and Carrots recipe! 🥕💚

Perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re looking to add a pop of color and a dose of health to your meals, this simple yet satisfying combination cooks up in minutes, offering a delightful blend of sweet and tender veggies with a hint of roasting that only an air fryer can achieve.

Say goodbye to bland, overcooked vegetables and hello to a vibrant, flavorful dish that even the pickiest eaters will love. Get ready to transform your side game with this easy, quick, and incredibly tasty recipe.

Easy Air Fryer Peas and Carrots

Cooking frozen or canned peas and carrots in an air fryer is a game-changer for anyone looking to serve a healthy, vibrant side dish without spending much time in the kitchen. This method saves time and enhances the natural sweetness and texture of the vegetables, making them a delightful addition to any meal. When using frozen peas and carrots, there’s no need to thaw them first, making this an incredibly convenient option. The air fryer’s circulating hot air cooks the vegetables evenly, giving them a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the insides tender and flavorful.

For those opting for canned peas and carrots, draining and patting them dry before tossing them in the air fryer can help achieve a more roasted texture. Whether frozen or canned, seasoning the vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper or your favorite herbs and spices can elevate the dish.

This cooking method transforms humble peas and carrots into a side dish that’s an afterthought and a highlight of the dining experience. The result is a quick, nutritious, and delicious complement to any main course, proving that healthy eating can be easy and enjoyable.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

This Air Fryer Peas and Corn recipe is bound to become a favorite for its simplicity, flavor, and versatility. Here’s why you’ll love adding it to your cooking repertoire:

Quick and Convenient: Utilizing the air fryer means having a delicious side dish ready in minutes, perfect for those busy nights when time is of the essence. It’s a fuss-free way to add a healthy component to any meal.
Enhanced Flavors: The air fryer does a fantastic job of concentrating the natural sweetness of peas and corn, giving them a delightful caramelization you don’t typically get from boiling or steaming.
Healthy Option: Cooking with an air fryer requires minimal oil, making this recipe a healthier alternative to traditional frying. It’s a great way to enjoy the benefits of vegetables without added fats.
Crispy Texture: The peas and corn come out slightly crispy on the outside while remaining tender inside, offering a wonderful textural contrast that enhances the overall eating experience.
Versatility: This recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can season the vegetables with salt and pepper or combine spices and herbs to match the dish to your taste or complement the main course.
Colorful Presentation: The vibrant green of the peas and the golden yellow of the corn taste great and add a visually appealing pop of color to your plate, making any meal look more enticing.
Year-Round Enjoyment: Whether you use fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables, this recipe ensures you can enjoy the bright flavors of peas and corn any time, making it a go-to side dish regardless of the season.
Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will appreciate this dish’s sweet and savory flavors, making it an easy way to encourage more vegetable consumption among family members who may be hesitant veggie eaters.

Incorporating this Air Fryer Peas and Corn recipe into your meal planning is a surefire way to keep things healthy, simple, and delicious, proving that nutritious eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Peas and Carrots

Dive into the vibrant world of vegetables with our Air Fryer Peas and Carrots recipe, a delightful side dish that brings together the sweetness of peas and the earthy crunch of carrots. Perfectly seasoned and quickly cooked to maintain the nutritional value, this dish is a testament to how easy and delicious healthy eating can be.

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

Canned or Frozen Peas: Frozen peas are a convenient and nutritious option, retaining their fresh taste and bright green color, perfect for adding a pop of sweetness and texture to the dish.
Canned or Frozen Carrots: Carrots add a splash of color and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor.
Olive Oil: A drizzle of olive oil helps to coat the vegetables, ensuring they crisp up nicely in the air fryer while adding a subtle richness.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder offers a quick way to infuse the peas and carrots with a warm, savory depth of flavor without the fuss of fresh garlic.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the natural flavors of the vegetables, bringing out their inherent sweetness and balancing the dish.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a slight kick, perfectly contrasting the sweetness of the peas and carrots.
Optional Herbs (such as thyme or rosemary): Adding herbs introduces an aromatic element to the dish, elevating it with earthy or floral notes depending on your choice.

This combination of simple ingredients, transformed by the air fryer, results in a side dish that’s both healthy and irresistible. With minimal prep and cooking time, Air Fryer Peas and Carrots is a perfect addition to any meal, proving that good nutrition and great taste can go hand in hand.

How To Make Peas and Carrots In Air Fryer

Making peas and carrots in an air fryer is a quick, nutritious, and delicious way to prepare this classic vegetable duo. Here’s how to do it:

Season: In a mixing bowl, combine the peas and carrots. Drizzle with olive oil, then add the garlic powder, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and any other herbs you’re using. Toss until the vegetables are evenly coated with the oil and seasoning.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200°C) for 2-3 minutes. This ensures the vegetables cook evenly.

Cook: Transfer the seasoned peas and carrots to the air fryer basket. Spread them out into a single layer for the best results. Air fry for about 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model and how crispy you like your vegetables.

Taste and Serve: Carefully remove the peas and carrots from the air fryer. Give them a taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Serve immediately as a healthy and flavorful side dish.

Pro Tips

Maximizing the flavor and texture of peas and carrots in an air fryer involves a few clever techniques. Here are some pro tips to ensure your vegetables turn out perfectly every time:

Uniform Pieces: Ensure your carrots are cut into even, bite-sized pieces. This promotes uniform cooking, so all pieces are perfectly tender at the same time.
No Need to Thaw: If using frozen peas, there’s no need to thaw them before cooking. They’ll cook evenly straight from frozen, retaining their bright color and firm texture.
Avoid Overcrowding: Spread the peas and carrots in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of air frying, preventing the vegetables from getting that desirable slight crispness.
Shake Halfway: Give the basket a good shake halfway through cooking. This helps the vegetables cook evenly and prevents any from sticking to the basket.
Season Well: Don’t skimp on the seasoning. While peas and carrots have their natural sweetness, a good seasoning with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs or spices can elevate the dish from good to great.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Always preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the vegetables. A preheated air fryer ensures the peas and carrots start cooking immediately, enhancing their texture.
Use Oil Sparingly: A light drizzle of oil is enough. The goal is to lightly coat the vegetables to help the seasoning stick and to achieve a bit of crispness without making them greasy.
Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add garlic powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika for extra flavor. A sprinkle of fresh herbs like dill or parsley after cooking can add a fresh taste.
Test for Doneness: Start checking the vegetables a few minutes before the end of the cooking time. Depending on your air fryer model and the size of the carrot pieces, cooking times can vary.
Rest After Cooking: Let the peas and carrots sit for a minute or two after cooking. This brief resting period allows any residual heat to evenly distribute.

These tips will help you achieve a deliciously healthy side dish of peas and carrots using your air fryer, bringing out the best in these humble vegetables with minimal effort.

Faq’s

Can I use fresh peas instead of frozen? Yes, you can use fresh peas. The cooking time might be slightly shorter compared to frozen peas, so adjust accordingly and check for doneness a few minutes early.

Do I need to peel the carrots? It’s a personal preference. Peeling can remove any bitterness and ensure a smoother texture, but unpeeled carrots, well washed and scrubbed, provide additional nutrients and a rustic feel.

How do I prevent the vegetables from getting too dry? Ensuring the peas and carrots are lightly coated with oil helps prevent them from drying out. Also, avoid overcooking by keeping an eye on them and testing for doneness towards the end of the cooking time.

Can I add other vegetables to this dish? Absolutely! Feel free to add other vegetables that cook in a similar timeframe, such as diced bell peppers or zucchini. Adjust cooking times as necessary based on the vegetables you choose.

How can I make the vegetables crispy? While air-fried peas and carrots won’t get as crispy as some other vegetables, using a preheated air fryer and ensuring they are not overcrowded in the basket helps achieve a slight crispness on the edges.

Is it necessary to shake the basket during cooking? Yes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process ensures that the peas and carrots cook evenly, promoting a uniform texture throughout.

What seasonings work well with peas and carrots? In addition to salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, or a pinch of smoked paprika can add wonderful flavors to your dish. Experiment with different combinations to find what you like best.

How do I store leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or microwave until warmed through.

Can I make this dish ahead of time? While best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare peas and carrots in the air fryer ahead of time and reheat them when ready to serve. This can save time if you’re planning a large meal.

Can this recipe be doubled? Yes, you can double the recipe, but you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which could result in uneven cooking.

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