Honey Roasted Carrots are a staple side dish for many family dinners! These carrots are coated in a sweet, aromatic honey orange glaze and roasted in the oven to perfection. This is a bright, sweet, and aromatic vegetable side dish.
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These easy to make honey roasted carrots are one of the very few vegetable side dishes that kids will eat. The combination of fresh orange with honey is what makes this side dish so mouthwatering and unforgettably good. Orange goes exceptionally well with honey and carrots, especially if you get a good quality fresh local honey.
Another aspect that I really love about this simple side dish recipe is that the ingredients are minimal and all-natural. I recommend buying the best ingredients, as each one of them has a big impact on the dish as a whole. And if you want to keep things as all-natural as possible, opt for organic ingredients.
Between the soft consistency and the sweet, fresh glaze, these carrots go perfectly with other savory side dishes and entrées! They add something a little fresh and sweet to the meal while still being warm and comforting. If you’re looking for a great holiday vegetable side dish option, this is one of the best.
How to Make Honey Roasted Carrots
Start off by preheating the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
While your oven is preheating, wash and peel the carrots. If some of the carrots in the bunch are larger, halve them so they bake evenly. Arrange the prepared carrots on a baking sheet.
Whisk together the olive oil, honey, orange zest, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture evenly over the carrots, and mix them to coat evenly throughout. Spread out carrots in one even layer.
Bake the carrots for about 15-20 minutes, toss them again on the baking sheet, and serve right away!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of carrots are best to roast?
There are a lot of options for carrots to choose from, as they range from size to color. You can make a beautiful and colorful dish using rainbow carrots or stick to the classic look with just orange carrots. You can also choose to keep the carrots whole, or cut them into about 1.5 inch chunks diagonally.
For holidays, I love to keep the carrots whole for the presentation. If you want to keep the carrots whole, opt for smaller carrots, like organic carrot bunches. If there are some larger ones in a bunch, cut them in half length-wise.
No matter what carrots you choose, keep in mind that you want to keep the carrots uniform in size so that they cook evenly.
At what temperature should I roast carrots?
I always roast root and dense vegetables at 425°F. This is a good temperature to get the outside nice and caramelized or crispy, and keep the inside nicely cooked through and fork-tender.
How long should I roast the carrots?
This is a question without a specific answer. The time to roast carrots highly depends on the size and the cut of the vegetables. It also depends on how soft you like the carrots to be. If you roast whole carrots that are small or medium in size, it will take about 15-20 minutes.
If you’re roasting larger carrots that have been cut in half, it will take up to 25 minutes. For carrot chunks that are about 1.5-2 inches in size, it will take 15-18 minutes. You can always test carrots with a fork to see if you want to bake them softer.
Storing and Reheating
Store any leftover roasted carrots in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days.
To reheat them, I recommend doing it on the stove. Preheat a skillet over medium heat and let them reheat until warmed through. You could also reheat them in the microwave in 30 second increments until they’re as warm as you’d like them to be.
More Vegetable Sides Dishes To Try
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Honey Roasted Carrots Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs whole carrots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 orange-zest only
- 2 tbsp honey
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash and peel carrots. If you have some large carrots in the bunch, cut them in half, lengthwise.
- Place carrots in a baking sheet.
- Whisk together olive oil, honey, orange zest, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over carrots and then mix the carrots to coat them evenly.
- Spread carrots in one even layer on the baking sheet and bake until fork tender, 15-20 minutes.
Notes
- Storing: Store any leftover roasted carrots in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days.
- To reheat them, I recommend doing it on the stove. Preheat a skillet over medium heat and let them reheat until warmed through. You could also reheat them in the microwave in 30 second increments until they’re as warm as you’d like them to be.
Nutrition
Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles in November 2021.
EG says
Made these for Easter dinner. Delicious!
LyubaB says
SO happy to hear you liked the recipe!
Jane says
I can’t wait to make these for Easter!