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); 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 comforting in the sweet, warm aroma of roasted carrots kissed with honey and a touch of spice. This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe feels like a simple yet special way to elevate any meal, turning humble carrots into a star side dish you'll want to make again and again.

A white bowl filled with a single layer of bright orange cooked carrots cut into thick, uneven oval shapes. The carrots are glossy, showing a light sauce coating them and small bits of seasoning. Scattered on top and around the carrots are small pieces of fresh green parsley, adding contrast to the orange. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a silver spoon and a white cloth nearby. 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 remember the first time I made this honey glazed roasted carrots recipe—I was amazed at how just a few ingredients could transform everyday carrots into something vibrant and addictive. It’s a sweet and savory combo that’s perfectly balanced and downright delicious.

Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything you need in your pantry and fridge already, making this a hassle-free recipe.
Quick to Make: Roasting takes about 20 minutes, with minimal prep, so you can have this side dish ready fast.
Flavorful and Balanced: The honey adds a natural sweetness while garlic and warm spices bring depth and complexity.
Versatile Side Dish: Pairs beautifully with everything from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.

This image shows a white bowl filled with cooked carrot pieces that have a bright orange color and a slightly shiny, glazed texture. The carrot pieces are mostly cut into thick, uneven chunks with some showing round cross-sections and others angled ends. The carrots have small bits of green herbs sprinkled over them, adding contrast to the orange. There is a silver spoon resting inside the bowl near the bottom left, partially covered by the carrots. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe plays an important role—not just in flavor, but in texture and aroma. Here’s a quick guide to why I use what I do and some tips on picking the best ingredients.

Flat lay of peeled whole carrots with vibrant orange color, three whole uncracked garlic cloves with smooth white skins, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, another small white bowl containing melted yellow butter, a small white bowl with clear golden olive oil, a tiny white bowl holding light brown ground cinnamon powder, a tiny white bowl with pale beige ground ginger, a tiny white bowl filled with coarse white salt, a tiny white bowl with freshly ground black pepper, and a few fresh sprigs of green parsley and thyme herbs, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, 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: Fresh carrots with a vibrant orange color give sweetness and roast beautifully. I like to pick ones that are firm and free of blemishes.
Honey: The star of the glaze for natural sweetness and caramelization. I use a mild-flavored honey, but feel free to experiment with more robust varieties like wildflower.
Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic adds savory fragrance and a delicious depth that balances the sweetness.
Melted butter or ghee: Butter adds richness and helps the glaze cling to the carrots for a silky finish; ghee works well if you want a nuttier flavor or dairy-free option.
Olive oil: A little olive oil helps roast the carrots evenly and promotes caramelization without burning the honey.
Cinnamon: A subtle warmth that complements the honey’s sweetness without overpowering.
Ground ginger: Adds a light zing and complexity to make the glaze more interesting.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors and balances the sweetness.
Black pepper: Freshly ground for a mild heat that lingers.
Herbs for garnish (parsley, thyme, or others): Fresh herbs add color and a fresh, bright note to the finished dish.

📝

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 of the things I adore about this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I love tweaking the seasoning or adding extras based on what’s in season or my mood.

Variation: Sometimes I sprinkle a bit of chili flakes for a spicy kick, or toss in toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch—both add a lovely layer of texture and flavor.
Herb swaps: Thyme and rosemary work beautifully, especially for autumn meals, while parsley keeps things fresh and bright.
Make it vegan: Use ghee or just olive oil instead of butter, and the glaze will stay just as luscious.
Add citrus: A splash of fresh orange juice before roasting can give an extra zing and highlight the honey’s sweetness.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Carrots Just Right

After peeling, I slice the carrots on a diagonal into pieces about 1 to 1.5 inches long—this shape helps them brown nicely while staying tender inside. If your carrots are thick, halving them lengthwise speeds up cooking and ensures even roasting.

Step 2: Toss With Honey and Spices

In a large bowl, mix the carrots with honey, minced garlic, melted butter, olive oil, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper. I find using my hands to gently toss everything ensures each piece is well coated—plus, it’s kind of fun!

Step 3: Roast Until Perfectly Glazed

Spread the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for about 20 to 25 minutes. I like to toss them gently halfway through to get an even roast. For that amazing caramelized finish, I sometimes broil for the last 2-3 minutes—just keep an eye so they don’t burn.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh parsley, thyme, or your favorite herb. It makes the dish pop with color and freshness right before you dig in.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that help get that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tender:

Don’t overcrowd the pan: Spreading the carrots out ensures they roast evenly and caramelize instead of steaming.
Watch the broil time carefully: Broil just long enough to get those crispy edges — 2-3 minutes max — or it can quickly go from caramelized to burnt.
Use fresh garlic: Minced fresh garlic provides the best flavor versus pre-minced or powders.
Warm the honey gently: If your honey is thick, warming it a bit helps it coat the carrots more smoothly during tossing.

How to Serve Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe

honey glazed carrots - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish these with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme simply because it adds such a vibrant green contrast and a fresh burst of flavor. Sometimes I like to toss in toasted pumpkin seeds or slivered almonds for a bit of crunch—those little touches always impress guests.

Side Dishes

This glazed carrot recipe pairs incredibly well with roast chicken or turkey, salmon, or even a hearty grain bowl. It’s a perfect match with creamy mashed potatoes or a quinoa pilaf to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love arranging these carrots on a rustic wooden serving board sprinkled with fresh herbs and a few lemon wedges for brightness. Using small appetizer dishes for individual servings is another fun way to impress at a holiday table!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover honey glazed carrots in an airtight container in the fridge where they stay tasty for 3-4 days. They actually taste even better the next day once the flavors have melded—so don’t hesitate to make a bigger batch!

Freezing

While you can freeze these carrots, I prefer fresh roasting because the texture is best that way. If you freeze, use a freezer-safe container and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until warmed through. I avoid microwaving because it can make the carrots mushy and dull the lovely caramelization.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use baby carrots for this recipe?

While baby carrots can work, I find the larger carrots sliced at an angle roast better and develop more flavor and caramelization. If you use baby carrots, keep an eye on the cooking time as they may roast faster.

How do I prevent the honey from burning during roasting?

To avoid burning, toss the carrots well in a mix of honey, oil, and butter, which helps protect the honey’s sugars. Also, roasting at 425°F and tossing halfway through prevents hotspots. Broil at the end briefly, not too long, to get caramelized edges.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can toss the carrots in the honey glaze mixture up to 24 hours ahead and store them in the fridge. When ready, roast directly from cold—it may take a few extra minutes. This is great for busy day meal prep!

What herbs go best as a garnish?

Fresh parsley and thyme are my go-to herbs for garnishing because they add a fresh, slightly herbal note that brightens up the dish. Rosemary works nicely too for a more earthy flavor, especially in colder months.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots Recipe is one I keep coming back to—not just because it’s easy, but because it delivers on flavor every single time. It’s that kind of side dish that feels both comforting and a little elevated, perfect for anything from a casual dinner to holiday celebrations. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s like a sweet hug for your taste buds!