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 for garnish (optional)

There’s something truly comforting about sweet, tender carrots roasted to perfection, which is exactly why I adore this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe. It’s simple, flavorful, and brings a delightful warmth to any meal.

The image shows a white plate filled with shiny cooked carrots that are cut into medium-sized pieces with a smooth, glossy texture. The carrots have a bright orange color with some darker, slightly caramelized spots. Small green parsley leaves are scattered on top, adding a touch of fresh color. A silver spoon is partially visible at the bottom left of the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. 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 carrot dish so many times because it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The balance of sweetness, gentle spice, and that lovely roasted caramelization never fails to impress guests or make a weeknight dinner feel special.

Effortless Flavor Boost: The honey and warm spices transform everyday carrots into a standout side dish without endless prep.
Perfect Texture: Roasting concentrates the natural sweetness while keeping carrots tender but not mushy.
Versatile and Friendly: Whether you’re serving family, friends, or just treating yourself, it pairs beautifully with so many meals.
Quick to Make: Less than 30 minutes from start to finish, which means you get more time enjoying and less time fussing.

A white bowl filled with two layers of cooked carrots, each carrot piece cut on a slight angle showing a bright orange color with a glistening texture that looks like it is coated in a light sauce or seasoning, small green parsley leaves scattered across the top adding a fresh contrast. The background is a white marbled surface with a few sprigs of parsley visible in the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe lies in the harmony of each ingredient. Sweet honey, aromatic garlic, and warming spices come together to complement the natural earthiness of carrots perfectly.

Flat lay of fresh whole peeled carrots sliced diagonally into thick pieces, a small white bowl of golden honey, three whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white bowl with melted butter, a small white bowl with olive oil, a small white bowl containing ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl with ground ginger powder, a small white bowl of salt, a small white bowl of black pepper, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley and thyme neatly arranged, 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 awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Carrots: Fresh, firm carrots are best—look for bright orange, crisp roots free of spots for the sweetest flavor.
Honey: A natural sweetener that creates a beautiful glaze and enhances caramelization without overpowering.
Garlic: Adds a subtle pungency that balances the sweetness—mince finely to distribute flavor evenly.
Butter or Ghee: Adds richness and helps the glaze stick; ghee is great if you want a slightly nuttier flavor.
Olive Oil: Helps with roasting, preventing sticking, and adds mouthfeel without overpowering the glaze.
Cinnamon: Brings a cozy warmth and depth just beneath the sweetness.
Ground Ginger: Provides a gentle spicy kick, balancing sweetness with earthiness.
Salt: Essential to round out the flavors and enhance the natural sweetness of the carrots.
Black Pepper: Adds just a touch of heat to keep things interesting.
Fresh Herbs (Parsley, Thyme): Optional but lovely for a fresh, herbal finish that brightens the dish.

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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

One thing I love about this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you want it a little spicier, more savory, or even nutty, it welcomes personalization without losing its charm.

Variation: Sometimes I sprinkle in a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky twist—totally delicious with roasted meats.
Dietary Change: Use coconut oil instead of butter or ghee for a dairy-free version that still roasts beautifully.
Herb Swaps: Fresh rosemary or sage work wonderfully if you don’t have parsley or thyme on hand.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Carrots Just Right

Start by peeling the carrots so you get that smooth texture without any bitterness. Then, slice them on a diagonal about 1 to 1.5 inches long. If your carrots are on the thicker side, halving them lengthwise helps them cook more evenly and soak up more glaze. This step sets the stage for beautifully caramelized edges.

Step 2: Toss with Honey, Spices & Fats

In a large bowl, mix the carrots with honey, minced garlic, melted butter (or ghee), olive oil, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Make sure every carrot is coated — I usually use my hands or a big spoon to really get the glaze on them. This step infuses flavor and helps with browning in the oven.

Step 3: Roast to Caramelized Perfection

Spread the glazed carrots out on a sheet pan in a single layer — crowded veggies steam instead of roast. Pop them in your preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20 to 25 minutes. I like to toss them once halfway through so they brown evenly. For extra caramelized edges, switch to the broiler for the last 2 to 3 minutes but watch carefully so they don’t burn!

Step 4: Garnish & Serve

When out of the oven, transfer your beautiful honey glazed carrots to a serving dish and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or thyme on top. That little pop of green makes it look as good as it tastes.

Top Tip

From cooking this recipe multiple times, I discovered a few tweaks that really make a difference if you want perfect honey glazed carrots every time.

Use a Heavy-Duty Sheet Pan: It helps veggies roast evenly and prevents warping, so your carrots get that gorgeous crisp edge.
Don’t Skip Tossing Halfway: Moving the carrots around during roasting ensures they caramelize all over without burning on one side.
Adjust Honey To Taste: I usually add a little less honey than called for if I want a less sweet finish—feel free to tweak.
Broil at the End for Extra Color: Just 2-3 minutes under the broiler adds those irresistible caramelized spots, but watch carefully so they don’t scorch.

How to Serve Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe

honey glazed carrots - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a fan of tossing some fresh parsley or thyme right on top—it adds a fresh, green note that contrasts the sweetness perfectly. Sometimes I sprinkle a little toasted sesame seed or chopped nuts for extra crunch and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

This is one of my go-to sides for roast chicken or pork tenderloin—it brightens richer dishes beautifully. It also pairs wonderfully with quinoa or couscous for a vegetarian-friendly meal that feels indulgent but light.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I lay the roasted carrots on a large platter with scattered herbs, drizzle extra honey over the top, and add a few pomegranate seeds for a festive pop of color and tartness. It never fails to get compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover honey glazed roasted carrots in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep great for up to 3 days and the flavors actually deepen overnight—win-win!

Freezing

I’ve frozen these carrots successfully by spreading them on a parchment-lined tray first, freezing solid, then transferring to a freezer bag. They freeze well up to 3 months, though I recommend thawing and reheating gently to keep texture intact.

Reheating

My favorite way to reheat is in a hot skillet with a touch of olive oil—this revives some crispness while warming them through. The microwave works too for convenience, but you might lose some texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of sweeteners instead of honey?

Absolutely! Maple syrup or agave nectar both work well as substitutes for honey and will give you a similar glaze and sweetness. Just adjust amounts to taste since they vary in intensity.

How do I know when the carrots are perfectly roasted?

Look for a tender inside that’s easy to pierce with a fork and edges that are slightly caramelized and golden brown. The roasting process at 425°F usually takes 20-25 minutes, depending on the size of your carrot slices.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Simply swap the butter or ghee for coconut oil or vegan butter. The rest of the ingredients are already plant-based, so you’ll keep all that lovely flavor intact.

What if my carrots are too soft after roasting?

To avoid mushy carrots, cut them into uniform, thicker slices and roast at a high temperature without overcrowding the pan. Also, tossing halfway through helps them cook evenly, preventing over-soft spots.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe has become one of my all-time favorite ways to bring a simple vegetable to life. It’s approachable yet impressive, cozy yet bright, and one I find myself making more often than not, especially for company. Try it out—you’ll find it’s one of those small kitchen victories that tastes like a celebration.