Honey Roasted Baby Carrots

These roasted baby carrots are simple to make and have a sweet honey glaze. Plus, they are so tasty you'll want to add them to every dinner. Plus they are a favorite side dish for kids, especially served with these Crispy Coconut Chicken Fingers. 

One of the veggies my kids eat most often is baby carrots. They are sweet and since they take no extra prep work, they are a favorite for a quick veggie option. Plus they are packed with beta carotene, fiber, vitamin A, and potassium. However, sometimes my kids get sick of the raw version, and lately, I have been roasting them instead.

They come out fork tender and can be tossed with almost any combination of spices or fresh herbs you like. They are also a huge hit when tossed with honey or brown sugar. Sometimes I even add a sprinkle of cinnamon. Trust me - with cinnamon and a touch of honey, almost any kid will devour these.

Key Ingredients and Easy Swaps

There are just four simple ingredients in these roasted carrots. In fact, if you use baby carrots, the entire recipe is so much faster and easier to make.

• Baby Carrots: You don't have to use baby carrots. If you have large carrots, you can peel and chop them and still follow this recipe. However, I found that the baby carrots saved me peeling and chopping time.
• Honey: Honey gives the carrots a sweet taste - I prefer to use it when I sweeten my recipes. If you can, try to use locally sourced honey. Maple syrup will also work. 
• Salt and Pepper: You only need enough to give the carrots a little extra flavor. Regular table salt and pepper will do fine, or you can use sea salt and fresh ground black pepper.

What To Serve With Roasted Baby Carrots

This is a sweeter side dish, so it pairs best with salty and savory recipes. For example, pan-fried garlic lime tilapia is just salty enough to go perfectly with your sweet carrots.

If you want to match the sweetness of the carrots, make teriyaki salmon. This meal will satiate your sweet tooth - without breaking your diet.

Save yourself lots of time in the kitchen and make slow cooker balsamic pork tenderloin. The carrots will offset the tangy balsamic flavor in the best way.

Honestly, you can't go wrong serving these carrots on the side with any meal you cook. They are mild enough to be the perfect side dish for any cuisine. Italian, American, Indian, Asian, you name it.

Recipe Tips And Ideas

Follow these tips to make sure that these carrots turn out sweet and crispy every single time!

• Always preheat your oven. If you don't, the carrots won't cook evenly or be nearly as crispy.
• If you don't have any cooking spray, just double how much olive oil you use. Make sure every part of the carrot is covered in oil and spices.
• Don't add the honey until the very end, after the carrots are finished roasting. If you try to roast them with honey on them, they will burn.
• Remember to shake the carrots (or flip them over) halfway through roasting. This way, they will bake evenly and get crispy on all sides.

Seasoning Ideas for Baby Carrots

There are so many ways to customize this recipe! Simply toss the carrots with olive oil, melted butter, or coconut oil. From there, you can add any spices, fresh herbs, or seasoning you like. Here are some of our favorite options.

• Herbs: Consider adding a tablespoon (teaspoon if dried) of fresh thyme, rosemary, or oregano.  You could also add fresh parsley or chives after roasting.
• Cinnamon sugar: Toss the carrots with some brown sugar and cinnamon before roasting. Drizzle with melted butter before serving. This is delicious for holidays or Thanksgiving.
• Curry: Toss the carrots with curry powder and coconut oil.
• Balsamic: Add a few splashes of balsamic vinegar to the carrots before roasting. Then add an extra drizzle right before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roasted Baby Carrots

Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…

Can you make them in the air fryer?

Yes, you can easily make this recipe in the air fryer. Follow the exact same directions, just use your air fryer instead of your oven. Preheat the air fryer to 425 and then bake the carrots for about 20 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket 1-2 times during roasting to make sure all sides cook evenly.

How do you store leftover roasted carrots?

The best way to store leftover roasted carrots is in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days but the texture will become slightly less crispy over time.

What other spices can you add to the roasted carrots?

Adding spices to roasted carrots is the fun part of baking. Some of my favorite spices to add to roasted carrots are garlic powder, dried parsley, oregano, or even some Italian seasoning. Garnish with fresh thyme for an elegant dish.

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes You’ll Love:

• Roasted Green Beans
• Easy Roasted Beets
• Crispy Roasted Cabbage
• Roasted Parmesan Summer Squash
• Roasted Parsnips
• Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Calories 46, Total Fat 4g, Total Carbohydrate 4g, Protein 0g, Serving Size 2/3 cup (89g)

from Slender Kitchen Blog and Recipes RSS Feed https://ift.tt/39xIAVS