Poppy O'Toole's 'fuss-free' recipe for air fryer parsnips and carrots with kick

17 December 2023 , 14:00

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Spice up your veg this Christmas with these honey glazed carrots and parsnips (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Carrots and parsnips are a staple of any good Christmas roast, but let's face it, they can sometimes be a tad bland.

If you're bored of boiled veg that needs to be smothered in gravy to taste nice, a Michelin-trained chef has got you covered. Poppy O'Toole is a TikTok sensation and TV chef, whose recipes tend to focus around potatoes.

But, for the festive season, Poppy has shared her 'fuss-free' recipe for carrots and parsnips that carry a bit of a kick. This whole recipe only requires an air fryer, rather than having to turn on a conventional oven, which can help keep the costs down.

"Air fryers are really good for roasted parsnips, roasted carrots, sprouts or chestnuts,” the chef says. "You can cook the parsnips and carrots together and then they can be ready and waiting for when you want them. You can get them into a tray, and once they’re cooked, you can keep them at the bottom of the oven or in a tray that you can warm back up."

Poppy O'Toole's air fryer parsnips and carrots with chilli honey

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Chef shares two ingredients that make perfect base for any soup - and stock hack

• 2 large parsnips, trimmed, peeled and quartered
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced in half lengthways
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2tbsp of runny honey
• 1bsp of dried chili flakes (plus extra for garnish)
• 1tsp of butter, melted
• Salt and pepper

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Method

• Cook the honey and chilli flakes in a small saucepan over medium heat until the liquid turns slightly red. Add the garlic and then set aside.
• Heat your air fryer to up 180 Degrees Celsius. Then, put the parsnips and carrots into a bowl and add the melted butter and the chilli honey. Toss them together so the veg is fully coated. Don't worry if there is any glaze left in the bowl, as this will be used up later.
• Add the parsnips and carrots into the air fryer and cook for around eight minutes. Give the veg a toss and glaze with any of the leftover honey. Season to your liking with salt and pepper.
• Cook the veg again for another eight minutes. They should be well glazed, golden, and cooked through. If they aren't yet tender, keep cooking and check on them every four minutes or so.
• Serve with extra chili flakes.

Et voila! A simple way to spruce up your veg and add a little heat. If you don't have an air fryer - this recipe will still work great in a conventional oven.

What's your favourite food on a Christmas roast? Let us know in the comments section below

Liam Gilliver