Honey Roasted Baby Carrots

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These roasted baby carrots tossed with honey are a delicious and easy side dish that both kids and adults love! Roasted carrots without any extra prep work.

46 CAL 4g CARBS 4g FAT 0g PROTEIN
1 Comment

These Roasted Baby Carrots are simple to make and have a sweet honey glaze. Plus, they are so tasty you'll want to add them to every dinner. Plus they are a favorite side dish for kids, especially served with these Crispy Coconut Chicken Fingers

One of the veggies my kids eat most often is baby carrots. They are sweet and since they take no extra prep work, they are a favorite for a quick veggie option. Plus they are packed with beta carotene, fiber, vitamin A, and potassium.

However, sometimes my kids get sick of the raw version, and lately, I have been roasting them instead.

They come out fork tender and can be tossed with almost any combination of spices or fresh herbs you like. They are also a huge hit when tossed with honey or brown sugar. Sometimes I even add a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Trust me, with cinnamon and a touch of honey, almost any kid will devour these.

Roasted baby carrots with olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper served on a baking sheet with a wooden spoon and parsley.

Key Ingredients and Easy Swaps

There are just four simple ingredients in these roasted carrots. In fact, if you use baby carrots, the entire recipe is so much faster and easier to make.

  • Baby Carrots: You don't have to use baby carrots. If you have large carrots, you can peel and chop them and still follow this recipe. However, I found that the baby carrots saved me peeling and chopping time.
  • Honey: Honey gives the carrots a sweet taste - I prefer to use it when I sweeten my recipes. If you can, try to use locally sourced honey. Maple syrup will also work. 
  • Salt and Pepper: You only need enough to give the carrots a little extra flavor. Regular table salt and pepper will do fine, or you can use sea salt and fresh ground black pepper.

What To Serve With Roasted Baby Carrots

This is a sweeter side dish, so it pairs best with salty and savory recipes. For example, pan-fried garlic lime tilapia is just salty enough to go perfectly with your sweet carrots.

If you want to match the sweetness of the carrots, make teriyaki salmon. This meal will satiate your sweet tooth - without breaking your diet.

Save yourself lots of time in the kitchen and make slow cooker balsamic pork tenderloin. The carrots will offset the tangy balsamic flavor in the best way.

Honestly, you can't go wrong serving these carrots on the side with any meal you cook. They are mild enough to be the perfect side dish for any cuisine and also are great added to any vegetable grain bowls.

Recipe Tips And Ideas

Follow these tips to make sure that these carrots turn out sweet and crispy every single time!

  • Always preheat your oven. If you don't, the carrots won't cook evenly or be nearly as crispy.
  • If you don't have any cooking spray, just double how much olive oil you use. Make sure every part of the carrot is covered in oil and spices.
  • Don't add the honey until the very end, after the carrots are finished roasting. If you try to roast them with honey on them, they will burn.
  • Remember to shake the carrots (or flip them over) halfway through roasting. This way, they will bake evenly and get crispy on all sides.

Seasoning Ideas for Baby Carrots

There are so many ways to customize this recipe! Simply toss the carrots with olive oil, melted butter, or coconut oil. From there, you can add any spices, fresh herbs, or seasoning you like. Here are some of our favorite options.

  • Herbs: Consider adding a tablespoon (teaspoon if dried) of fresh thyme, rosemary, or oregano.  You could also add fresh parsley or chives after roasting.
  • Cinnamon sugar: Toss the carrots with some brown sugar and cinnamon before roasting. Drizzle with melted butter before serving. This is delicious for holidays or Thanksgiving.
  • Curry: Toss the carrots with curry powder and coconut oil.
  • Balsamic: Add a few splashes of balsamic vinegar to the carrots before roasting. Then add an extra drizzle right before serving.

Baby carrots roasted on a baking sheet with olive oil, salt, pepper, honey, and parsley.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roasted Baby Carrots

Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…

Can you make them in the air fryer?

Yes, you can easily make this recipe in the air fryer. Follow the exact same directions, just use your air fryer instead of your oven. Preheat the air fryer to 425 and then bake the carrots for about 20 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket 1-2 times during roasting to make sure all sides cook evenly.

How do you store leftover roasted carrots?

The best way to store leftover roasted carrots is in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days but the texture will become slightly less crispy over time.

What other spices can you add to the roasted carrots?

Adding spices to roasted carrots is the fun part of baking. Some of my favorite spices to add to roasted carrots are garlic powder, dried parsley, oregano, or even some Italian seasoning. Garnish with fresh thyme for an elegant dish.

Baby carrots that have been roasted with olive oil and honey on a baking sheet.

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes You’ll Love:

The Recipe
Honey roasted baby carrots with crispy edges on a baking sheet with salt, pepper, honey, and chopped parsley.

Honey Roasted Baby Carrots

46 CAL 4g CARBS 4g FAT 0g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 30 Min
TOTAL TIME: 35 Min
1 Comment
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 3 cups baby carrots (about 1 lb)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp honey

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Instructions

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1

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

2

Place carrots into a large bowl and generously coat with olive oil, salt, and fresh ground pepper. These are delicious with herbs as well if you want to add dried thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning.

3

Arrange carrots on a rimmed baking sheet (covered with parchment for easier clean-up) and roast for 20-25 minutes. Shake carrots around about halfway through so they roast and get crispy on all sides.

4

Return carrots to bowl and add the honey. Stir to coat well. Taste to see if they need any additional salt and pepper.

Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 2/3 cup (89g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 46
Calories from Fat 31
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g
5%
Saturated Fat 1g
2%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 295mg
13%
Total Carbohydrate 4g
2%
Dietary Fiber 0g
0%
Sugars 4g
Protein 0g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
1 Comment
On Honey Roasted Baby Carrots
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Jeffrey Carlin-...
March 31, 2024 - 07:16
Add a Rating:
5
Great recipe and family gathering favorite. I'm making these earlier in the day due to limited oven space. What's the best way to reheat for the main meal? Thx
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