Name: Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds carrots (peeled); ¼ cup honey; 3 garlic cloves (minced); 2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; parsley, thyme or other herbs for garnish (optional)

There's something truly comforting about sweet, tender carrots roasting to perfection, especially when coated in a luscious glaze. This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe is one of those simple dishes that feels a bit fancy but comes together so easily—trust me, it’s a total crowd-pleaser!

The image shows a white bowl filled with two layers of cooked carrot pieces, each carrot having a shiny, slightly oily orange surface with some visible seasoning giving a speckled texture. The carrots are cut into diagonal thick slices and scattered fresh green parsley leaves are sprinkled on top, adding contrast. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with some parsley sprigs in the background and a metallic spoon to the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this honey glazed roasted carrots recipe countless times, and every time it steals the show at dinner. The balance of sweetness from the honey and warm spices with the natural earthiness of the carrots makes it an irresistible side that even picky eaters can’t resist.

Effortlessly Delicious: It’s a sheet pan recipe, so minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
Perfect Balance: The honey glaze caramelizes just right, offering a sweet-savory combo that's hard to beat.
Flexible and Customizable: You can swap out herbs or add spices according to your mood or season.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight side or holiday table centerpiece, it never disappoints.

The image shows a close-up of cooked sliced carrots piled in a white bowl. The carrots are cut into medium-sized chunks with a bright orange color, covered in a shiny, slightly thick sauce that looks seasoned with small bits of herbs and spices. Small green parsley leaves are scattered on top for garnish. There is a silver spoon resting inside the bowl on the left side. The bowl is set on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in creating that perfect honey glazed finish. Here’s a quick rundown on why I love what goes into these carrots and some pointers for choosing your ingredients.

Flat lay of fresh peeled orange carrots cut on a diagonal, three whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of ground ginger, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a small white ceramic bowl of black pepper, and a few sprigs of fresh green parsley and thyme, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Carrots: Fresh, firm carrots work best here. I like peeling them for a smooth texture and cutting diagonally for pretty presentation and faster roasting.
Honey: This adds gentle sweetness and helps develop that gorgeous caramelized glaze—raw or wildflower honey works great.
Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic brings a mild punch and depth, perfectly complementing the sweetness.
Melted butter or ghee: Butter adds richness, while ghee brings a nutty flavor. Both create a wonderful mouthfeel.
Olive oil: Helps the carrots roast evenly and keeps them from sticking to the pan.
Cinnamon: A pinch of warm spice that makes the glaze feel cozy and aromatic.
Ground ginger: Adds just a whisper of zing that brightens the overall flavor.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Black pepper: Fresh cracked pepper gives a subtle heat to keep things interesting.
Fresh herbs (optional): Parsley, thyme, or others add freshness and a pop of color as a finishing touch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to tweak this honey glazed roasted carrots recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. You’ll find it very forgiving, so don’t be afraid to personalize it to your taste!

Variation: One time, I swapped butter for coconut oil and added a sprinkle of chili flakes—totally delicious with a hint of heat. It gives the glaze a tropical twist that’s perfect for summertime.
Herb swaps: Rosemary or sage also work beautifully if thyme isn’t your jam.
Dietary modifications: Use ghee or olive oil instead of butter for dairy-free options.
Seasonal upgrades: Toss in a few roasted shallots or drizzle a bit of balsamic glaze at the end for complexity and contrast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Cut the Carrots Just Right

First things first—peeling and slicing the carrots diagonally into roughly 1–1.5 inch pieces. If your carrots are extra thick, I like to cut them in half lengthwise for even roasting. This not only looks beautiful but helps them cook through evenly without drying out.

Step 2: Mix the Glaze and Toss Everything Together

In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, minced garlic, melted butter (or ghee), olive oil, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Then add the carrots and toss well so each piece is beautifully coated. This step is key—make sure every carrot is glazed!

Step 3: Roast Until Golden and Tender

Spread the carrots evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone mat. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for about 20-25 minutes, tossing halfway through to ensure even caramelization. If you want that extra caramelized edge, finish with a quick 2-3 minute broil—but watch carefully so they don’t burn.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Transfer the carrots to your serving dish and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, thyme, or your favorite herbs. The herbs brighten the dish and add a lovely fresh note to balance the sweetness.

Top Tip

One of my favorite tricks for this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe is making sure to toss the carrots halfway through roasting. It’s a game changer for even browning and glaze distribution. I used to skip this step, and the carrots would get unevenly caramelized—definitely something to avoid!

Even Roasting: Toss the carrots gently halfway through cooking to prevent sticking and promote gorgeous color on every piece.
Quality Honey Matters: Using a good quality honey really shines here—it impacts flavor and texture more than you’d expect.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Spread the carrots in a single layer. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of roasting!
Broil But Watch: When using the broiler for caramelization, keep a close eye to avoid burning those precious glazed edges.

How to Serve Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe

Honey Glazed Carrots - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always garnish mine with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and mild freshness. Sometimes, I swap parsley for thyme or rosemary if I want an herbal edge. A sprinkle of toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans adds fantastic crunch to the soft carrots, especially for holiday meals.

Side Dishes

This honey glazed roasted carrots recipe pairs beautifully with main dishes like roast chicken, pork tenderloin, or even a cozy lentil stew. I love serving it alongside fluffy mashed potatoes or wild rice pilaf for a full, hearty meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try serving the carrots in a beautiful shallow bowl drizzled with a little extra honey and sprinkled with edible flowers or microgreens. It’s a simple way to turn an everyday veggie into a stunning centerpiece that guests will admire before they dig in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover honey glazed carrots in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last about 3 to 4 days and still taste great. Just warm them gently before serving to bring back that roasted charm.

Freezing

I don’t often freeze roasted carrots because the texture can change slightly, getting a bit softer upon thawing. But if you must freeze, flash freeze them spread out on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Use within 2 months for best quality.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I pop the carrots onto a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or so. This revives their caramelized edges and keeps them from getting soggy like microwaving can cause.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen carrots for this recipe?

While fresh carrots roast best for the ideal texture and sweetness, frozen carrots can be used in a pinch. Just make sure to thaw and pat them dry first to avoid sogginess, and reduce roasting time to prevent them from overcooking.

How do I get the carrots perfectly caramelized?

The key is roasting at a high temperature (425°F) and tossing the carrots halfway through cooking to promote even caramelization. Finishing with a quick broil for 2-3 minutes can also enhance those golden edges, but watch carefully to avoid burning.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the glaze and toss the carrots earlier, then cover and refrigerate until ready to roast. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before putting them in the oven for even cooking.

What if I don’t have cinnamon or ginger?

No worries! You can skip these warm spices, and the honey glaze will still be delicious. Alternatively, try substituting with a pinch of nutmeg or allspice if you have those on hand.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire—it’s the sweet, savory boost that brightens simple dinners and impresses guests with minimal effort. I hope you’ll give it a try soon and enjoy those tender, caramelized bites as much as I do. Cooking should always be this easy and delightful, don’t you think?