This recipe for honey roasted carrots is whole carrots, bathed in honey and seasonings, then roasted over high heat until tender and caramelized. A super easy yet elegant side dish!
I always have a bag of carrots in my fridge, they’re inexpensive, last for weeks and my kids will always eat them! These roasted carrots take just minutes to put together, but are fancy enough to serve for company.
In my opinion, the best way to eat vegetables is when they’re roasted. After a trip through the oven, most veggies get browned and caramelized and their flavor intensifies in the best possible way! These honey roasted carrots are my all time favorite way to eat carrots. In fact, my whole family devours them, even the kids!
Making this recipe is quite simple and only requires a handful of ingredients. Given that the ingredient list is so short, I try to get the best quality ingredients I can find to make these honey roasted carrots extra special.
How to make honey roasted carrots
For this recipe, you’ll need carrots, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. That’s it! I like to buy bunches of small carrots with the tops on, they look so much more elegant and are sweeter than larger carrots. If you can’t find small carrots, it’s totally fine to use larger carrots that have been cut into sticks, it’ll still be delicious.
I would not use those pre-cut baby carrots that come in bags for this recipe. I find that those carrots don’t have as much flavor as whole carrots.
The carrots get lined up on a baking sheet and tossed with seasonings before they take a trip through the oven. Your bake time may vary depending on how thick your carrots are. If you’re using carrots cut into sticks, those will also cook faster than whole carrots.
While these honey roasted carrots are the perfect side dish to almost any meal, they’re also an easy and festive touch to holiday menus!
I like to add a sprinkling of parsley as a finishing touch for these roasted carrots, but if you don’t have parsley on hand, it’s totally fine to skip this step. You could also try garnishing with other fresh herbs like thyme, chives or dill.
These honey roasted carrots are the perfect side dish for:
The next time you head to the grocery store, be sure to grab some carrots so that you try this recipe, it’s pretty much guaranteed to turn veggie haters into veggie lovers!
More side dish ideas
- Parmesan Zucchini
- Roasted Broccoli
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Garlic Butter Mushrooms
- Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Honey Roasted Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 pound small carrots peeled and trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooking spray
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat with cooking spray.
- Place the carrots in a single layer on the baking pan.
- In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. Pour the honey mixture over the carrots and toss to coat.
- Place in the oven and bake for 25-35 minutes or until carrots are tender and browned. Roasting time may vary depending on the size of the carrots.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately, sprinkled with parsley if desired.
Nutrition
This post is sponsored by Buzz + Bloom Honey. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Dinner at the Zoo possible! This post was originally published on September 14, 2016 and was updated on April 17, 2018 with new content.
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Marsha Kathnelson says
Would maple syrup work with these carrots?
Sara says
Yes, just use the same amount as you would honey!
Andrea says
I haven’t ever been a huge fan of carrots, but received a pound of organic whole carrots from my CSA and followed your recipe exactly – they were delicious! The best carrots I’ve ever had. Saving this recipe – thank you!!
Bethel C Esmillarin says
Actually not considering it as my side dish. I could eat those yummy carrots as my main meal 😀 especially when it is glistening with honey 🙂
Ricci says
Not only does this recipe sound amazing but your photos are stunning! I am not usually a fan of carrots but these make me want them right now! LOL!
Kita Bryant says
Now these are some really great carrots! I would love to make these sometime.
Emily says
I have never had honey roasted carrots like this before. They look so good though! I always tend to make vegetables the same way for dinner and this would be a great way to change things up.
Brandy says
I had no idea people honey roasted carrots! This is such a great idea and would more than likely get me to eat carrots more often. I am going to have to give this a try over the weekend.
Alison Rost says
Those are gorgeous and it’s an easy recipe to make! I think it’s lovely especially when you pair it with steak or some porkchops. I’d love to make this when we’re having people over!
Tasheena says
I would have never thought to add honey to carrots. This looks so delicious and super simple to make. Would be the perfect side to start adding to our meals.
Doria says
Yum! This is actually one of my favorite ways to prepare carrots, but I’ve never included garlic before. I’ll have to give it a try next time!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
My youngest daughters favorite vegetable has become sweetened carrots. These look like something she would love.
Jeanette says
Those look so tantalizing I think I might make them for dinner tonight. I have been looking for healthier meals and this is a great way to do that and still enjoy a little bit of sweet!
Carol Cassara says
It looks so good I would love to make them right now if I could. I think it would be a lovely side, without a doubt especially for meat. I am totally keeping the recipe!
GiGi Eats says
Not gunna lie, I never liked carrots and I cannot eat honey, but I am PRETTY SURE my husband would love this because he loves BOTH! BAM, another vegetable dish I can make him that he will eat! 😉
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I can see where these would go well with ham and pork. I don’t like raw carrots much but they’re ok cooked, these sound flavorful.
Amber Myers says
Yum, I am so going to try these! I love the idea of a honey glaze. It might make my kids actually eat the carrots!
Terri Steffes says
I love glazed carrots! I get so excited when I see them offered at arestaurant. That doesn’t happen often. My husband makes them a lot when carrots are in season.
Karen Morse says
I love that they’re roasted in honey! This will definitely give the carrots a nice flavor. They’re perfect as a side or even on their own and it’s definitely something that I’d make!
candy says
This is one of my favorite ways to serve carrots. Use the big whole ones makes a great serving statement. The honey is perfect for this simple side dish.
Alli Smith says
I have a big bag of carrots in the fridge and I need to roast them using your recipe. Roasted veggies are my favorite and your carrots look so pretty and delicious. Simple recipes are the best and I love the addition of honey.
Albert Bevia says
We always have a bag of carrots in the fridge too! such an amazing veggie, this simple side dish you have created sounds so good and so easy to make, another brilliant recipe
Meowboops says
I don’t have any apricot preserves. Would strawberry jam be too far off to use as a substitute?
Sara says
This recipe calls for honey, are you perhaps referring to a different recipe on my site?
Greg says
What a great way to prepare carrots! They look like they are from a restaurant!
Summer says
Oh Yum! These are right up my alley ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
Beatrice says
Perfect beautiful simple carrots enhanced with honey!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Absolutely beautiful and such a perfect way to enjoy lovely carrots. That honey sounds wonderful 🙂
Debbie says
What beautiful carrots! These would be great as I always have the ingredients at hand! Looking forward to tying the Buzz + Bloom honey varieties!
Sam says
I just love the honey carrot combo and expect to be making this easy dish all fall and winter!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
This is a keeper Sara – we adore honey and combined with carrots this must be terrific!