Carrots are a vegetable I take for granted. Not anymore thanks to Roasted Carrots!
Caramelized at the edges and tender within, this sweet and savory side is kid friendly, healthy, and can pair with whatever you are cooking for dinner tonight.
Most nights, I default to Roasted Brussels Sprouts (for a green veggie) or Roasted Sweet Potatoes (for something starchy and sweeter).
However, there’s another nutritious orange vegetable that’s been stealing the show around here lately: carrots!
Tip!
To roast a medley of vegetables, and for more tips and seasoning suggestions, check out my ultimate guide to Oven Roasted Vegetables.
Reasons to Love Carrots
- Carrots are packed with vitamins, especially vitamin A.
- Carrots can last for 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator, making them convenient to keep on hand.
- You can roast them at the same time as other vegetables, like in this Roasted Potatoes and Carrots recipe.
- On a budget? Carrots are one of the most affordable types of produce. (Looking for more long-lasting, inexpensive produce? Check out this Sautéed Cabbage.)
Today I’ve included a recipe for the absolute best roasted carrots.
Plus, I’m giving you a few yummy, easy ways to season the carrots that will keep your meals feeling fresh.
5 Star Review
“These are delicious and so easy. I sold them to my family as “carrot fries” and they gobbled them up. This one is definitely a keeper.”
— Beckey —
The Best Roasted Carrots Recipe
The size you cut the carrots is everything.
As with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, the trick to the best roasted carrots of your life is cutting the carrots larger than you think—1 1/2-inch pieces is best.
Unlike Sautéed Carrots, which maintain their size during cooking, roasted carrots shrink significantly in the oven. For this reason, you’ll want to cut them into larger pieces.
From there, the trick to stellar baked carrots is to pick the right oven temperature.
How to Cut Carrots for Oven Roasting
- Scrub the carrots and trim off the stem end. You can leave the skin on roast carrots (peeling is optional and based on preference).
- If the carrots are large in diameter, slice them in half lengthwise.
- To make sure you enjoy the fully tender inside, caramelized outside roasted carrot experience, cut your carrots into 1 1/2-inch long pieces.
- I like to cut my carrots on the bias (diagonally), which gives the nicest presentation, but regular pieces work well too.
The cut carrots look very large on the pan, but trust me, they’ll shrink and roast up just right.
A Note on Roasting Temperature
Once you have the carrots cut, the next important step is oven temperature.
The best temperature for roasting most vegetables is 400 degrees F.
It’s hot enough to caramelize the vegetables, but not so hot the outsides char before the insides are tender.
The Ingredients
- Carrots. Roasting is a healthy, tasty way to cook carrots. The oven brings out their natural sweetness. Carrots are packed with potassium, fiber, and vitamins.
- Olive Oil. Heart-healthy olive oil is key to helping the carrots caramelize and keeps them from drying out or burning.
- Honey. Honey enhances the flavor of carrots (hence why I use it in these Crockpot Carrots) and makes the carrots a little sticky and sweet. I leave it as optional, but if you are cooking for kids, it certainly helps make the carrots extra enticing!
- Herbs. While you can make roasted carrots with just good ol’ S&P, adding a mix of dried and/or fresh herbs gives them another dimension of savoriness.
The Directions
- Cut the carrots into 1 1/2-inch thick slices (the best way to cut carrots for roasting—see photos above). You don’t need to peel carrots before roasting, but you certainly can if you prefer.
- Top with the olive oil, honey, and seasonings. Toss to coat.
- Spread them into a single layer. Roast carrots at 400 degrees F. Twenty to 25 minutes is how long carrots take to bake (until fork tender). ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Parmesan Roasted Carrots. Sprinkle the carrots with 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan prior to serving or during the last few minutes of roasting.
- Mediterranean Roasted Carrots. Add a pinch of dried oregano and cumin with the thyme. Sprinkle the roasted carrots with feta and mint prior to serving.
- Sweet and Spicy Roasted Carrots. Omit the thyme. Roast the carrots with a few pinches of chili powder, a pinch of cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne.
- Garlic Roasted Carrots. Omit the honey. Toss the carrots with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon garlic powder prior to roasting.
- Balsamic Roasted Carrots. Add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar just before serving.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Roasted carrots can last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Arrange carrots in a single layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Reheat at 400 degrees F, just until the carrots are hot. You also can rewarm them in a skillet or the microwave.
Meal Prep Tip
Chop the carrots up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, then roast away.
What to Serve with Roasted Carrots
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Non-Slip Cutting Board
When was the last time you replaced your cutting board? This one stays in place while you use it and can go right in the dishwasher.
These roasted carrots are easy enough for a weeknight and cozy enough for company.
I hope they make their way into your oven and onto your plate today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Choose a vegetable that will roast in about the same amount of time; sweet potatoes, parsnips, and cauliflower would all work well. If you’d like to make roasted carrots and broccoli, check out my Roasted Broccoli and Carrots recipe.
If your roasted vegetables aren’t crispy, it is likely because you overcrowded the pan. This will cause the vegetables to steam instead of roast. Be sure the carrots are in a single layer and the pieces are not touching. If they are, divide them between two sheet pans and roast in the upper and lower thirds of your oven.
Absolutely! No changes to the recipe are needed. Simply keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed.
How long to roast carrots varies based on the size of your pieces and how crowded the pan is. For 1 1/2-inch slices that are not touching, roast the carrots for 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees F. If you cut the pieces smaller or if your oven runs cool or hot, you may need to adjust that cooking time. I recommend checking at the 20-minute mark to be safe.
I haven’t tried to make air fryer roasted carrots, but I think they would be tasty. Cut the carrots into larger pieces (about 2 inches), add the oil, honey, spices, and herbs as directed, then air fryer the carrots at 360 degrees F for 15 to 18 minutes, until fork tender.
Yes, roasted carrots are the perfect addition to any holiday dinner! Serve them for Easter, Thanksgiving (with the perfect roasted turkey), Christmas, or any other holiday.
- 2 pounds carrots
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup; or 1 additional tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves* finely chopped, or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. For easy cleanup, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat baking mat.
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Scrub the carrots and dry well (no need to peel). If any of the carrots are thick, cut them in half lengthwise (if they are narrow, leave them whole). Cut the carrots crosswise on the diagonal so that they are in 1 1/2-inch slices (the pieces will look large but will shrink once roasted).
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Place the carrots in the center of the baking sheet, then drizzle with the oil and honey. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and thyme over the top. Toss to coat the carrots evenly.
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Spread them into a single layer (if all of the carrots will not fit in one layer, place half on a second parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the upper and lower thirds of the oven instead; if the carrots are crowded, they will steam instead of roast). Roast in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the carrots are browned and tender, tossing once halfway through (if the carrots are on two pans, switch the pans’ positions on the upper and lower racks halfway through).
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Sprinkle with the fresh parsley and toss once more to coat. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired. Enjoy hot.
- *Fresh thyme has a much better flavor than dried. It’s worth using the fresh here, though dried can work in a pinch.
- TO STORE: Roasted carrots can last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Arrange it in a single layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Reheat at 400 degrees F, just until the carrots are hot. You also can rewarm them in a skillet or the microwave.
Serving: 1(of 6)Calories: 114kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gPotassium: 488mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 25260IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg
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