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! Whether they’re glazed, roasted or sauteed, carrots are always a big hit. 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 do you make 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. The carrots get lined up on a baking sheet and tossed with seasonings before they take a trip through the oven. Add a sprinkle of parsley, then serve and enjoy.
Tips for roasted carrots
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- You can peel the carrots and coat them in the honey mixture up to 4 hours before you plan to roast them.
Baked carrot variations
I think this recipe is delicious as-is, but there are different ways to add other flavors to customize the carrots to your tastes.
- Sweetener: Try using maple syrup or brown sugar instead of the honey.
- Bacon: Wrap each carrot in 1/2 slice of bacon before roasting.
- Garlic Lovers: Reduce the honey to 1 teaspoon and add 1-2 teaspoons of freshly minced garlic.
- Vegetables: Add other vegetables to the mix such as wedges of red onion, diced sweet potatoes or cubed butternut squash.
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 video
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 October 10, 2019 with new content.
Valerie says
I love how easy these honey roasted carrots are to make. They are perfect for the holiday season and entertaining.
Katie says
Love the sweetness of these carrots. My whole family did too!
Suzy says
Wow! These turned out so good! Love the addition of honey and we loved roasting them!
Kristyn says
These carrots taste so great!! I love the honey added! These will be a great side anytime of the year!
Sara says
My favorite way to make carrots by far! So simple and tasty. This recipe has the perfect balance of earthiness and sweetness.
Brittany Oneal says
Can you cut the carrots into slices before cooking?
Sara says
Yes that’s fine!
Libby says
The recipe says to serve immediately. Can the carrots be left out after cooking at room temperature ? For several hours. I have several casseroles to cook and one oven.
Sara says
You can leave them out for up to 2 hours, any more time than that and it could be a food safety issue. You may want to consider my slow cooker glazed carrots instead because you don’t need to use an oven and you can keep them on the warm setting until you’re ready to eat: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/slow-cooker-glazed-carrots/
Joanne says
I did these (2lbs) at 11 am and they sat out in casserole dish with the rest of my sides until i popped them all in oven to warm when prime rib came out of oven. They were fine ….actually awesome! I did 2 lbs for 7 people and there was a full on battle for the last carrot!! I was told by my family that 4 lbs would be good next time ! Lolol! These carrots are awesome!
Sara says
I’m so happy to hear they were such a hit, thanks for reporting back!
Rhonda blevins says
I love these carrots too. Made at Christmas and I am making again tonight.
Fresh thyme is a nice touch. You are right about baby carrots not working well for roasting. I added some baby carrots last time as experiment to see. Doesn’t even compare! Use only full size carrots!
Sara says
So happy to hear you enjoyed them, thanks for reporting back!!
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.