Honey roasted carrots are a great way to get the kids to eat more veggies.
They’re the perfect mix of sweet and savory, and deliciously crunchy. Plus, they pair well with all kinds of meaty mains.
What more could you ask for?
Carrots are already slightly sweet.
But when you roast them in a shiny honey glaze? Oh man, that really takes the flavor over the top.
They’re also affordable and readily available all year round. That means you can enjoy this delicious carrot recipe whenever you like.
So, fire up the ovens and get ready to make a double batch. These honey-roasted carrots won’t last long at the dinner table.
Honey Roasted Carrots Ingredients
This recipe lets sweet carrots shine.
The honey is used to enhance their flavor and draw out as much natural sweetness as possible.
Better yet, it calls for pantry staples and just a few minutes of prep.
I’ll get into precise measurements at the bottom of the page. For now, here’s a quick list of what you’ll need:
- Carrots: For the best flavor, reach for whole carrots over baby carrots. They require a little more prep but taste so much better!
- Olive Oil: It’s slightly nutty and savory, pairing perfectly with the sweetness of honey and carrots.
- Honey: Here’s where you can tinker with the flavor in this recipe. Using different types of honey yields different results. Try varieties of honey like wildflower, clover, Tupelo, or sage honey.
- Salt and Pepper: No fancy spices are needed here! A dash of salt and pepper is all you need to balance the dish.
- Fresh Parsley: For an aromatic punch of savory goodness and a pop of color.
How to Make Honey Roasted Carrots
This is one quick and easy recipe. So it’s perfect as a Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish. But it’s also terrific with your weekly Sunday dinner.
Check out how easily this recipe all comes together.
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Toss the carrots with honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Bake in a single layer for about 45 minutes, or until fork-tender.
4. Garnish with fresh parsley (optional). Serve hot, and enjoy!
Tips for Roasted Carrots
Want your carrots to roast to golden perfection? Check out some of these quick tips:
- Bake times will vary. Thin carrots don’t need as much time in the oven as thick ones. So, check on them after 30 minutes. If they’re fork tender, they’re ready to take out of the oven.
- Dry them well! Remember, oil and water do not mix. So, after you peel and rinse the carrots, dry them thoroughly.
- Put baby in the corner. Baby carrots are quick and easy, but not as tasty. And since carrots are the star of this show, it’s worth the extra effort to peel and chop whole carrots.
- Arrange them in a single layer. The magic in this recipe is the caramelization. So, for the best flavor, arrange the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Also, avoid overcrowding, or they’ll steam instead of roast.
- Always bake at a high heat. High temperatures create that perfect golden crust. So don’t be tempted to cook them lower.
Recipe Variations
This simple carrot recipe is a blank canvas for a bunch of tasty variations.
Whether you want to swap out your herbs or throw a little bacon in the mix, I have you covered.
Check out these recipe variations:
- Try different herbs. Fresh parsley adds wonderful earthy notes. But you don’t have to stop there! Experiment with other types of fresh herbs, like dill, chives, or thyme.
- Swap out the honey. Don’t have any honey on hand? No worries! You can substitute honey for a 1:1 swap with maple syrup or brown sugar. Making roasted carrots with maple syrup is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner!
- Bacon-wrapped honey-roasted carrots. For the ultimate side dish, try wrapping the carrots in bacon after tossing them in the honey mix. Then, bake as instructed.
- Garlic honey-roasted carrots. Replace 1 tablespoon of honey with 2 teaspoons of fresh garlic.
- Add more veggies. Add fresh Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or parsnips.
How to Store & Reheat
Leftover carrots are never a problem with this recipe.
But if you do have some, here’s everything you need to know about storing them.
To Store: Place cold leftovers in an air-tight container. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To Freeze: Place cold carrots in a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as possible. Frozen carrots will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Allow frozen carrots to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, pop them in the microwave or air-fryer for a few minutes until hot.
More Carrot Recipes You’ll Love
Carrot Souffle
Moist Carrot Cake
Easy Candied Carrots
Carrot Casserole
Honey Roasted Carrots
4
servings10
minutes20
minutes140
kcalHoney roasted carrots are a great way to get the kids to eat more veggies. They’re sweet, savory, crunchy, and pair well with all kinds of meaty mains.
Ingredients
1 pound carrots, peeled and trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the carrots in the olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper until well coated.
- Spread the carrots out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for about 25 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and caramelized.
- Garnish with parsley, if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Small, thin carrots work best for this recipe as they roast quickly and evenly. If using larger carrots, cut them into evenly sized pieces.
- These honey-roasted carrots pair beautifully with roasted meats or as part of a holiday spread.
