Name: Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 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 magical about the way honey effortlessly caramelizes on tender roasted carrots, giving you that perfect sweet-savory combo. This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe turns simple veggies into a show-stopping side that’s bound to get everyone asking for seconds.

A white plate filled with a single layer of roasted baby carrots that are bright orange with a light glossy coating from seasoning. The carrots are cut into small pieces, some angled and some round, showing a soft texture with slight browning on edges. Green parsley leaves are scattered evenly on top, adding fresh green color contrast. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with some fresh parsley sprigs visible at the top right corner and a silver spoon near the bottom right. 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

This honey glazed roasted carrots recipe is one of my absolute favorites to whip up when I want something quick but impressive. The balance of sweet honey, warming spices, and a hint of garlic makes these carrots taste way more gourmet than your average side dish. Plus, it’s practically foolproof!

Quick & Easy: Ready in about 25 minutes, so you’re not stuck in the kitchen all day.
Flavor-Packed: Honey, cinnamon, ginger, and garlic elevate simple carrots into a delicious treat.
Versatile: Works perfectly for weeknight dinners or fancy holiday feasts.
Hands-Off Cooking: Just toss everything and roast — minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.

The image shows a silver baking tray filled with carrot pieces that are sliced into a mix of thick rounds and long diagonal shapes. The bright orange carrots are spread evenly across the tray with some pieces showing a light browning from cooking and bits of spices and oil coating them. The tray rests on a white marbled surface, and a metal fork and knife are placed above the tray, partly visible in the top area of the image. The lighting is bright, highlighting the fresh, cooked texture of the carrots. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe plays a special role, blending sweetness, warmth, and richness. When shopping, I like to pick firm, fresh carrots and use good quality honey and butter to really make the flavors shine.

Flat lay of fresh whole peeled carrots sliced diagonally, three whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl with melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of clear olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl containing ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl with ground ginger powder, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse salt, a small white ceramic bowl of cracked black pepper, and a few sprigs of fresh green parsley and thyme herbs, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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: I love to cut them on a diagonal to create larger surface areas that soak up all the glaze better.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps with that sticky, caramelized finish.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic introduces a savory depth that balances the sweetness.
Butter or Ghee: Brings richness and helps the glaze cling to the carrots.
Olive Oil: Adds a subtle earthiness and prevents sticking.
Cinnamon: A warm spice that complements the honey perfectly.
Ground Ginger: Adds a gentle kick and brightness to the glaze.
Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
Fresh Herbs (Optional): Parsley or thyme for a fresh, colorful garnish.

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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 like to play around with this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe depending on the season or meal. Nothing’s set in stone here — feel free to customize to suit your taste buds and what you have on hand.

Variation: I’ve swapped out cinnamon for smoked paprika once, which gave the carrots a smoky, savory twist that was a big hit at a barbecue.
Herb Choices: Thyme is a personal favorite for garnish, but fresh rosemary or dill can be amazing substitutes.
Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes amps up the flavor if you like a little heat.
Make It Vegan: Use olive oil or coconut oil instead of butter or ghee to keep it dairy-free.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Carrots Like a Pro

Start by peeling your carrots — I find the skin can be a little tough on larger ones, so peeling really helps with tenderness. Next, slice them on a diagonal about 1 to 1.5 inches long; this shape helps them cook evenly and presents beautifully on the plate. If your carrots are thick, slicing them lengthwise in half is a smart move so everything roasts uniformly.

Step 2: Toss in the Magical Glaze

Grab a mixing bowl and combine the honey, minced garlic, melted butter (or ghee), olive oil, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper. Toss your carrot pieces in this mixture until every inch is luxuriously coated. The key here is to get an even glaze — it’s your ticket to maximum flavor and caramelization.

Step 3: Roast and Revel

Spread those glazed carrots out evenly on a sheet pan — avoid crowding so they roast instead of steam. Into the oven they go at 425°F (220°C) for about 20 to 25 minutes. Don’t forget to toss them halfway through; this little stir ensures everything browns beautifully. I sometimes finish mine off with 2-3 minutes under the broiler to get those edges perfectly caramelized and irresistible.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Transfer your golden, sticky-glazed carrots to a serving dish and sprinkle them with fresh chopped herbs like parsley or thyme for that pop of color and freshness. Then, dig in and enjoy the sweet, spiced goodness you just created.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe countless times, and a few simple tricks have helped me get it just right every time. These tips will save you from the common pitfalls and elevate your roasted carrots game.

Even Slicing: Make sure carrots are cut into similar-sized pieces to roast evenly — nothing’s worse than burnt edges with raw centers.
Don’t Skip the Tossing: Halfway through roasting, give those carrots a good toss to promote even caramelization on all sides.
Watch the Broiler Time: If you finish under the broiler, keep a close eye — it only takes a couple of minutes to go from beautifully caramelized to burnt.
Use Fresh Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds fresh, aromatic flavor not matched by garlic powders or pastes.

How to Serve Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe

honey glazed carrots - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top these carrots with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme — they bring brightness and a touch of color. Sometimes I even add a few toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans for a bit of crunch, which is a delightful texture contrast.

Side Dishes

These carrots pair beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or even a holiday roast like turkey or pork. For a vegetarian meal, I love serving them alongside quinoa or a creamy risotto to soak up every bit of that honey glaze.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I arranged these honey glazed roasted carrots on a long serving platter with sprigs of fresh thyme laid across. It looks so festive and inviting. You can even drizzle a little extra honey or a splash of balsamic glaze on top for an elegant touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they keep well for up to 3-4 days. Before eating, I let them come to room temperature briefly so the glaze softens up just right.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing these carrots often because I usually devour them quickly, but from experience with roasted veggies, they freeze okay. Just make sure to cool them fully, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag.

Reheating

The best way to reheat leftover honey glazed carrots is in a hot skillet over medium heat. This revives the glaze’s stickiness and warms the carrots evenly without drying them out, unlike microwaving which can sometimes toughen them.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen carrots for this recipe?

Frozen carrots tend to release more moisture when roasting, which can prevent the glaze from caramelizing properly. For the best texture and flavor, fresh carrots are recommended, but if using frozen, be sure to pat them dry and reduce any added oil slightly.

How do I prevent my carrots from burning during roasting?

Cutting carrots into similar sizes and tossing them halfway through cooking helps prevent burning. Also, keep a close eye if you decide to broil at the end since broilers can quickly overcook the glaze.

What can I substitute for honey if I want a vegan option?

You can swap honey with maple syrup or agave nectar to keep it vegan while maintaining that delightful sweetness and caramelization.

Can I prep this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can toss the carrots with the honey glaze mixture a few hours in advance and store them in the fridge. When ready, roast as usual, but you might need an extra minute or two in the oven.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can't recommend this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe enough. It’s become my go-to side for everything from casual dinners to special holiday gatherings. There’s just something special about those sweet, tender carrots glazed with honey and warmed by spices — they bring so much warmth to the table. Try it out, and I promise you’ll be reaching for this recipe again and again.