Honey Roasted Carrots

Honey Roasted Carrots are the perfect accompaniment for any weeknight meal or a side at the holiday table! This versatile side dish bakes up easily and tastes delicious! All you need are a handful of ingredients and less than an hour to make this slightly sweet-spicy carrots recipe. Makes 4 servings.

Overhead close up of honey roasted carrots on baking pan

Carrots used to be one of my favorite veggies because they’re sweet, easy to eat and perfect for snacking and dipping.

Then my sister developed a severe allergy to carrots. My family and I stopped using them in most dishes because we didn’t want to give her an allergic reaction.

Now, my sister and I have lived in different states for more than 15 years…

Recently, I decided to make some carrots for my family, knowing I wouldn’t have to worry about my sister’s allergy.

And these carrots were divine.

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    Why I love this recipe:

    Real talk: Whole Roasted Carrots look really fancy and elevated.

    Realer talk: They’re incredibly easy to make.

    Also, this carrot recipe is scalable, meaning you can make it for your nuclear family as a weeknight side dish… or you can make a large batch for your extended family as a part of a holiday meal.

    We love roasting vegetables in the oven because it’s pretty hands-off once you pop them in.

    The end result is always amazingly delicious, and these carrots hit the spot!

    More roasted side dishes to try: Roasted Lemon Brussels Sprouts | Roasted Green Beans | Oven Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple and Cranberries | Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Garlic | Roasted Fennel Orange Salad

    Need inspiration for the dinner table? Head on over to my Side Dish recipe index for more ideas.

    Honey Roasted Whole Carrots laying on a white platter

    What you need to make this recipe:

    The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

    Let’s talk ingredients!

    In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

    Here’s what you need:

    • Carrots—you’ll need a bunch of them to make this roasted carrots recipe.
    • Extra virgin olive oil—or another neutral oil
    • Honey—to add a little sweetness to the carrots.
    • Seasonings—we’re using a combination of kosher salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper to flavor up these carrots! Sprinkle the cayenne lightly because it is strong and offers quick a spicy kick.

    Fun variations on this recipe for roasting carrots:

    • Use baby carrots. Since they’re smaller and less thick, you’ll probably have to bake them for less time, so keep an eye on them as they roast.
    • Add garlic or garlic powder for a garlicky punch!
    • Swap out the honey for maple syrup you’d like this to be a vegan carrot recipe.
    Overhead close up of roasted carrots on dish

    How to roast carrots in the oven

    Preheat the oven to 400°F.

    Spritz a sheet pan with a rim with nonstick baking spray, and set aside. You could also line the sheet pan with parchment paper.

    Prepare the carrots. Remove the greens. (You may remove the stem or leave a little green like I did, as shown in these photos.) Peel with a vegetable peeler. Transfer to a large bowl.

    Season the carrots. Pour the olive oil and honey over the carrots. Season with salt and pepper. Toss the carrots to coat.

    Transfer to the prepared sheet pan.

    Sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Be careful with thisa little goes a long way. I always say to use a light hand right now and to give the carrots a taste before serving and add more cayenne, if necessary.

    Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until fork tender.

    Pro tip!

    The honey can burn as it bakes, so keep an eye on your carrots. I’d check on them at the 15-20 minute mark to see how they’re coming along. Since everyone’s oven is a little different, this is important.

    Enjoy warm!

    Overhead close up view of Honey Roasted Carrots

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long to roast carrots?

    That’s going to depend on the heat of your oven and the thickness of your carrots. For these whole carrots, I roasted them in a 400°F oven for 25ish minutes.

    What is the best way to cut carrots for roasting?

    I like to leave my carrots whole for roasting because they look impressive.

    Are carrots better boiled or roasted?

    Personally, I like them roasted because they soften and sweeten up as they bake.

    Why are my roasted carrots tough?

    You might not have roasted them for long enough if they’re tough. They should be fork tender, meaning you’re able to easily slide the tines of a fork into them to ensure they’re cooked through.

    Quick tips and tricks for roasted carrots in honey

    • Keep an eye on them. The honey will get super sticky in the oven, and you don’t want it to burn. Check on them at the 20 minute mark.
    • Double or triple this recipe for a crowd. Use simple math to make it happen. You might need a bigger baking pan or more than one.
    • How to store: Place the cooled carrots in an airtight food storage container. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat until warmed through in the microwave.

    More easy side dishes to try:

    Here’s how you can roast these carrots:

    Overhead close up of roasted carrots on dish

    Honey Roasted Carrots

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    Honey Roasted Carrots are the perfect accompaniment for any weeknight meal or a side at the holiday table! This versatile side dish bakes up easily and tastes delicious! All you need are a handful of ingredients and less than an hour to make this slightly sweet-spicy carrots recipe.
    4.98 from 43 votes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 97 kcal
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 bunch carrots
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Cayenne pepper for dusting

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spritz a rimmed sheet pan with nonstick baking spray, and set aside. (You could also line the sheet pan with parchment paper.)
    • Remove the stems from the carrots. Peel with a vegetable peeler. Place in a large bowl.
    • Pour the olive oil and honey over the carrots. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
    • Transfer the carrots to the prepared sheet pan.
    • Sprinkle the cayenne pepper over the carrots. (Be careful with thisa little goes a long way.)
    • Bake in the preheated over for 25 minutes, or until fork tender.
    • Enjoy warm!

    Notes

    How to store: Place the cooled carrots in an airtight food storage container. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat until warmed through in the microwave.
    Double or triple this recipe for a crowd.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 97kcalCarbohydrates: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 81mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9g
    Keyword baking, carrot recipe, easy roasted carrots recipe, easy side dish recipe, holiday side dish, roasted carrot recipe, roasted carrots, side dish, side dish recipe, whole roasted carrots
    Course Side Dishes
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    These Honey Roasted Whole Carrots originally appeared at My Cooking Spot, where I was a contributor.

    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    8 Comments

    1. These look so tasty!I love super simple recipes that give something an entirely new flavor. Definitely trying these. Thanks!

      1. Thanks so much, Catrina! Like you, I love a super simple recipe that gives something a new flavor. I hope you enjoy these carrots as much as we did!

    2. Yum!!! I adore carrots but always have a tough time convincing the others at my table. Going to try this as I have a bunch in my fridge that need cooking up.

      1. I hope that this recipe is able to convince your family that carrots are good stuff! And if nothing else, I hope you thoroughly enjoy them! My little sister is severely allergic to carrots, so we hardly ever eat them, even though she lives in a different state… but when we do, they’re all kinds of good.

    3. I love making whole carrots for side dishes and to have as snacks throughout the week. These honey roasted carrots sound like an amazing flavor. I can’t wait to try!

      1. Thanks, Brooke! I’m glad you love whole carrots as side dishes and for snacks, too, and I hope everyone in your household enjoys this recipe as much as we did!

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