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 about the warm, sweet aroma of roasted carrots that instantly makes a kitchen feel cozy. This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe is my go-to for adding a little magic to an everyday veggie, turning simple carrots into a caramelized, irresistible side dish you'll want on repeat.

A white bowl filled with cooked carrot pieces that are cut into thick slices and small sticks, showing a shiny, slightly glazed orange surface. On top, small green parsley leaves are scattered, adding a fresh touch of color. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with a few fresh parsley branches nearby. The lighting is bright, highlighting the carrots' glossy texture and the contrast between the carrots and the fresh herbs. 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 dish countless times, and it never fails to impress. It’s sweet but not overly sugary, with just enough spice and garlic for depth. The simplicity and quick prep make it a winner in my weekday dinner rotation.

Easy to prepare: Just a few ingredients and simple steps get you a flavorful side in under 30 minutes.
Perfect balance of flavors: The honey’s sweetness complements the natural earthiness of carrots, boosted by aromatic spices.
Versatile for any meal: Whether it's a holiday feast or everyday dinner, this recipe fits right in.
Customizable: You can easily tweak spices or herbs to make it your own signature dish.

The image shows a silver baking tray filled with sliced carrots that have been roasted. The carrots are cut into oblique pieces, some round and some with sharp angled ends, displaying a bright orange color with slightly darker roasted edges. The tray has brown roasted bits and some oily spots scattered unevenly across its surface. In the top part of the tray, a black spatula rests on the edge. The tray is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic here is in the mix: sweet honey, garlic punch, gentle cinnamon, and a touch of ginger. Each ingredient plays its part, creating layers of flavor that turn humble carrots into a star side dish. Here’s a little about each:

Flat lay of fresh whole peeled carrots with bright orange skin, three uncracked garlic cloves with smooth white papery skins, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, another small white bowl holding melted yellow butter, a small white bowl containing clear golden olive oil, a tiny white bowl with warm brown ground cinnamon, a tiny white bowl with pale beige ground ginger, a tiny white bowl with fine white salt, a tiny white bowl with freshly ground black pepper, and a small bunch of fresh green parsley and thyme sprigs arranged neatly, 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. The natural sweetness intensifies when roasted.
Honey: Adds a sticky, sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
Garlic: Minced garlic brings savory depth, balancing the sweetness.
Butter or ghee: Adds richness and helps the glaze coat the carrots evenly.
Olive oil: Keeps the carrots tender and adds a subtle fruity note.
Cinnamon: A warm spice that enhances the honey's sweetness without overpowering.
Ground ginger: Adds a gentle zing and complexity.
Salt: Essential to bring out all the flavors.
Black pepper: Adds just a hint of heat to balance the sweet and savory.
Fresh herbs (optional): Parsley or thyme garnish adds freshness and a pop of color.

📝

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 making this recipe my own depending on the season or mood—sometimes adding a pinch of chili flakes for heat, or swapping in maple syrup if I’m out of honey. You should feel free to tweak it to whatever flavors make you smile.

Variation: Adding a splash of fresh lemon juice before serving brightens the flavors beautifully—one of my favorite adjustments in warmer months.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Carrots Just Right

Start by peeling and slicing your carrots on a diagonal into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces. If your carrots are especially thick, cut them in half lengthwise so everything cooks evenly. This little trick helped me avoid those moments with soggy outsides and crunchy centers.

Step 2: Mix the Perfect Honey Glaze

In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, melted butter or ghee, olive oil, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. The butter helps everything stick beautifully, and those spices give the glaze a subtle warmth.

Step 3: Toss and Roast

Toss your sliced carrots in the glaze until every piece is coated. Spread them out in a single layer on a sheet pan—crowding the pan is the fastest way to lose that lovely roasted caramelization. Pop them in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even roasting.

For extra caramelized edges, I like to broil the carrots for 2-3 minutes at the end, but watch closely so they don’t burn!

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Transfer your roasted beauties to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or thyme. This simple finish adds a pop of color and bright herbal flavor that makes the dish feel complete.

Top Tip

From many batches roasted to perfection, I've learned a few tips that help you get this honey glazed roasted carrots recipe just right every time.

Even Sizing: Cutting carrots into uniform pieces ensures they cook evenly, so keep an eye on thickness and length.
Don’t Overcrowd Your Pan: Giving carrots breathing room lets them roast instead of steam, delivering that perfect caramelization.
Use Melted Butter or Ghee: This helps the honey glaze stick to the carrots and boosts the richness, making the end result silky and indulgent.
Watch the Broil: The last-minute broil adds fantastic color but be vigilant—a few seconds too long and it can go from caramelized to charred in a blink.

How to Serve Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe

honey glazed carrots - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually toss chopped fresh parsley or thyme right before serving—it adds freshness and a lovely pop of green that brightens the plate. Sometimes I sprinkle on a little flaky sea salt for an extra layer of flavor contrast, which I really enjoy.

Side Dishes

This honey glazed roasted carrots recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, grilled pork chops, or even a simple quinoa salad. I often serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes or a citrusy grain bowl for a balanced meal that feels both comforting and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like to serve the carrots on a beautiful wooden board sprinkled with extra herbs and toasted nuts to add crunch. It instantly elevates the humble side to something special and festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The carrots keep their flavor well, but I find they soften a bit more—still delicious, just a little less crisp.

Freezing

Since these carrots have a delicate glaze, freezing isn't my favorite method—it can make them mushy when thawed. However, if you need to, freeze in a single layer on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag to minimize clumping.

Reheating

To reheat, I spread the carrots on a baking sheet and pop them under a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes to bring back some crispness. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make them a bit soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other sweeteners instead of honey in the honey glazed roasted carrots recipe?

Absolutely! Maple syrup is a great substitute and gives a slightly different but equally delicious flavor. Just use the same amount as you would honey.

What type of carrots work best for roasting in this recipe?

Look for fresh, firm carrots that aren’t too woody or cracked. Baby carrots can work but slicing regular carrots on a diagonal enhances caramelization better. You want evenly sized pieces for even roasting.

How do I prevent the honey from burning during roasting?

Honey can burn if roasted at very high temperatures for too long. Toss the carrots well to coat evenly and roast at 425°F for the recommended 20-25 minutes. Avoid broiling for too long and watch closely during those last few minutes to prevent burning.

Can I make the honey glazed roasted carrots recipe vegan?

Yes! Just replace the butter with a plant-based alternative or use extra olive oil, and ensure your honey is vegan-friendly or swap it with maple syrup for a completely vegan version.

Final Thoughts

This honey glazed roasted carrots recipe is one of those dishes that makes you feel like you've treated yourself, even on a busy weeknight. I love how effortlessly it transforms carrots into something bright, sweet, and deeply comforting. Give it a try—you'll find it’s a reliable, crowd-pleasing side you’ll want to pull out again and again.