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); 1/4 cup honey; 3 garlic cloves (minced); 2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; parsley, thyme or other herbs (optional)

There’s something so comforting about the warm, sweet aroma of roasted carrots lightly kissed with honey. This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe is one of those simple dishes that turns humble ingredients into a irresistibly tasty side. Every bite offers a lovely balance of sweetness, spice, and that inviting roasted caramelization that’ll have you coming back for more.

The image shows a white bowl filled with cooked carrots that are cut into thick, chunky slices. The carrots are bright orange and coated with a shiny layer of seasoning or sauce, giving them a glossy texture. Small pieces of green parsley are scattered on top, adding a fresh color contrast. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, with a few parsley leaves visible in the background. The lighting highlights the smooth, soft texture of the cooked carrots, making them look warm and inviting. 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 honestly think these honey glazed roasted carrots are the perfect balance of simple and special. Roasting brings out the natural sugars in carrots, and adding a honey glaze with warming spices just lifts the whole thing up. I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count because it’s both quick and crowd-pleasing.

Quick and Easy: You can whip this up in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
Sweet and Savory Harmony: The honey glaze balances beautifully with garlic and spices, offering a lush flavor profile.
Versatile Side Dish: Pairs wonderfully with everything from roasted meats to holiday feasts, and can serve a crowd.
Customizable: You can switch up herbs or spices depending on your mood or what’s in your pantry.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here are simple but thoughtfully chosen to bring out the best in the carrots. The honey adds natural sweetness, while the butter and olive oil help the glaze coat every piece evenly and brown beautifully in the oven.

Flat lay of fresh peeled orange carrots cut diagonally, 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 clear olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of warm cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl of ground ginger, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse salt, a small white ceramic bowl of black pepper, and a few sprigs of fresh green parsley and thyme arranged symmetrically around, all placed 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: Choose fresh, firm carrots. Peeling and slicing them on the diagonal helps them roast evenly and look more elegant.
Honey: This natural sweetener caramelizes in the oven, giving a sticky, glossy finish and delightful flavor.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides a gentle savory punch without overpowering the carrots’ natural sweetness.
Melted Butter or Ghee: Adds richness and helps the glaze crisp up with a lovely nutty undertone; ghee is a great dairy-free option.
Olive Oil: Helps in roasting and gives a mild fruity flavor for balance.
Cinnamon: Adds warmth and subtle spice that complements the honey perfectly.
Ground Ginger: Brings a gentle zing and depth to the glaze.
Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing all the flavors and keeping the sweetness balanced.
Fresh herbs (optional): Parsley, thyme, or your favorite herbs add a fresh, vibrant contrast when sprinkled on top.

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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 tweaking this honey glazed roasted carrots recipe depending on the season and what’s in the fridge. It’s such a forgiving recipe that embraces creativity — whether you want to amp up the spice or keep it extra simple.

Variation: A sprinkle of smoked paprika or chili flakes adds a smoky kick when I want a bit of heat.
Dietary swaps: I sometimes use coconut oil instead of butter for dairy-free options, and it works beautifully.
Seasonal herbs: Fresh rosemary or oregano in the colder months adds a cozy, earthy note.
Extra glaze: Double the honey if you want a stickier, more decadent finish—but don’t forget to watch them closely in the oven!

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

Step 1: Prep Your Carrots Just Right

Start by peeling your carrots and slicing them on a diagonal into pieces about 1 to 1.5 inches long. If the carrots are especially thick, don’t hesitate to cut them in half lengthwise to ensure even roasting. This prep lets them cook uniformly and look beautiful once plated.

Step 2: Toss in the Magical Glaze

In a large bowl, mix the honey, minced garlic, melted butter (or ghee), olive oil, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper. Then toss the sliced carrots in this glaze until every piece is nicely coated. This step is key: it ensures every bite is packed with flavor.

Step 3: Roast and Broil to Perfection

Spread your glazed carrots evenly on a sheet pan—you want them in a single layer so they roast rather than steam. Pop them in the preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 20 to 25 minutes. Halfway through, stir them to get an all-around roast. To get those irresistible caramelized edges, I like to switch to broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes, but watch carefully so they don’t burn.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, transfer the carrots to a serving dish. I usually sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or thyme on top—it adds a burst of color and a fresh herbal note that brightens the dish beautifully. Then dig in!

Top Tip

I learned that mastering this recipe is all about balance and timing. Here’s what helped me get these carrots just right every time:

Even Cutting: Cutting carrots to uniform thickness ensures they roast evenly instead of some pieces burning while others are undercooked.
Don’t Skip Tossing: Stirring the carrots halfway through roasting prevents soggy bottoms and encourages caramelization all around.
Watch the Broil: That quick broil step builds amazing color and flavor, but it can go from perfect to burnt in seconds—stay close!
Use Real Honey: I’ve tried substitutes, and nothing gives the same rich sweetness and sticky texture that real honey does.

How to Serve Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe

Garnishes

I usually top these carrots with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of thyme leaves for a fresh herbal note. Sometimes I add a few toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans if I want a bit of crunch and a lovely contrast in texture. A little flaky sea salt sprinkled on just before serving also brings out the glaze’s sweetness.

Side Dishes

These honey glazed roasted carrots are incredibly versatile. I love pairing them with roast chicken or turkey, but they also complement grilled pork chops or pan-seared salmon beautifully. For vegetarians, serve alongside quinoa or couscous bowls for a hearty, balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like to arrange the carrots on a rustic wooden board with fresh herbs, a drizzle of extra honey, and a few lemon wedges on the side for brightness. Turning them into a colorful carrot medley with purple and rainbow carrots is a showstopper, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover honey glazed roasted carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating gently to keep the glaze sticky and avoid drying them out.

Freezing

While I don’t usually freeze these carrots because roasting fresh really brings out the best flavor and texture, you can freeze leftovers for up to a month. Just cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the carrots in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, which helps preserve that lovely roasted texture and keeps the honey glaze luscious. The microwave works in a pinch, but the carrots lose some of their crisp edges.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen carrots for this recipe?

While fresh carrots yield the best texture and flavor, you can use thawed frozen carrots if needed—just keep in mind they may be a bit softer and less crisp after roasting.

How do I prevent the honey from burning while roasting?

To avoid burning, make sure to toss the carrots halfway through cooking. Also, adding some oil and butter dilutes the honey's sugar, which helps prevent scorching. Keep an eye during the broil step to pull them out as soon as edges caramelize.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Use melted coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute instead of butter or ghee. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan-friendly.

What other spices can I add to the glaze?

Feel free to experiment with warm spices like nutmeg, allspice, or even a pinch of cayenne for heat. Smoked paprika adds a nice depth if you prefer savory over sweet tones.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen repertoire because it’s so effortless yet transforms a simple veggie into something memorable. I love sharing this one with friends because it always surprises people with how vibrant and rich it tastes. Trust me, once you try these honey-kissed roasted carrots, they’ll quickly become a favored side you reach for again and again.