These honey glazed carrots are so underrated and seriously one of the BEST side dishes you’ll ever make! If you’re not a carrot fan, this honey glazed carrots with a kick of spice, butter, herbs and a touch of cinnamon will change your mind! Try this simple yet delicious way of roasting carrots and you’ll be hooked!
Carrots are seriously underrated. One of the most affordable veggies you can find, super sweet when roasted and absolutely divine when glazed with honey. You can use our phenomenal Hot Honey Recipe if you’re in for some spice. SO GOOD!
We never compromise on flavor here, so expect those honey glazed carrots to be full of that! This is such a simple and easy recipe that needs no fuss.
What Are Honey Glazed Carrots?
Honey glazed carrots are carrots cooked until tender and coated in a reduced glaze made from honey, butter, salt, seasoning and spice. You may sometimes find varieties with broth or citrus but we love tasting the sweetness of the carrots.
The glaze forms as the honey and butter reduce together, creating a light syrup that clings to the carrots. Honey Glazed carrots can be cooked simmered on the stovetop, oven roasted, par boiled then glazed or even in a slow cooker.
Why You’ll LOVE Honey Glazed Carrots
- It’s a great side dish to any meal! It will be in fact the show stopper side dish to your table. Guaranteed!
- Make this for Thanksgiving, but also for everyday dinners! It’s a LUXURY side dish that’s cheap, easy and quick!
- The glaze is sweet, buttery, with some garlic, herbs and Harissa from Mina. You can also add in chilli flakes or use our Hot Honey Recipe for an extra kick.
- The SECRET ingredient here which you can not miss is a pinch of cinnamon. OMG what a rich layer of flavor it adds to the humble carrots.
- This is a really affordable side dish, yet tastes and looks super fancy and gourmet.
- The oven does all the work for you, while you just warm up the glaze.
- We glaze the carrots twice. Once before baking and once after, so it’s double the flavor!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Carrots. You can use whole baby carrots or rainbow carrots for a more festive look. We have regular sized carrots which we cut up into sticks, the same size. You can also use baby carrots for this recipe
- Honey. Regular honey works great, and if you’re a spice fanatic, use our Hot Honey Recipe. If you like Maple syrup, then they would be maple glazed carrots. You can also use brown sugar if you like.
- Butter. Unsalted butter is great.
- Garlic. Minced fresh garlic for flavor.
- Herbs. We used fresh thyme. You can add parsley for finishing.
- Seasoning. Salt, pepper and our secret ingredient is cinnamon.
- Harissa. Our favorite is Mina Harissa. It’s not your average hot sauce, it’s a cooked spiced Moroccan hot sauce that’s spiced and rich.
How to Make Honey Glazed Carrots
Prepare the Carrots
- The first step if you’re not using small or baby carrots is to cut them up. You can sut any size you want as long as they’re equal sizes. This way they roast evenly.
Make the Honey Glaze
- Start by melting the butter in a small pot or saucepan over medium heat. Use unsalted butter for this recipe so you can control the salt in the carrots.
- Then add in the garlic and some fresh thyme and cook them down slightly until fragrant. You don’t want the garlic to be golden or burnt. Just rather opaque and fragrant.
- Now add in the honey, harissa, seasoning and mix until well blended together. The mixture should be off heat so you don’t boil the glaze.The glaze is now ready. You can add a splash of water to thin it out, but we love it sticky!
Roast The Carrots
- Pour half of the honey glazed over the carrots and toss them well. Spread the carrots in a parchment lined baking sheet.
- You need to make sure the carrots are spread in a single layer so they cook evenly.
- Roast until soft and tender, they will come out looking golden and tender when pierced with a fork.
- Take the other half of the remaining gaze and pour it over the roasted and ready carrots and toss them well.
Serve the Honey Roasted Carrots
And you’re ready to enjoy! Garnish with extra fresh herbs if you like, add in some nuts, or even cheese. But it’s perfect as is. Simple, delicious and guaranteed to impress!
Pro Tips For Honey Glazed Carrots
- Make sure the carrots are all the same size before roasting. You can use baby carrots if you’re rushed on time.
- Make the glaze ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat it before using.
- Adding the cinnamon will add that layer of warmth to the spices and pairs so beautifully with the carrots.
- Use Hot Honey instead of regular honey for a spice kick like no other!
- Also try our Chili Oil Recipe with these–so good!
- While you can add hot sauce, we LOVE harissa from Mina. It’s a Moroccan spice that’s wonderfully seasoned, cooked and ready to use. Not too spicy and doesn’t taste like vinegar!
- For maximum flavor of the honey glazem divide the glaze. Use half before roasting and half when out of the oven.
- When hot and out of the oven, the carrots will absorb the flavor immensely.
How Long to Cook Honey Glazed Carrots?
- Thin slices: 12–15 minutes total
- Thicker coins: 18–20 minutes
- Whole baby carrots: 20–25 minutes.
They’re done when a knife slides in easily, with edges slightly caramelized and the glaze coats the carrots without feeling like it’s leaking out. Tender carrots with perfect coating is what you’re aiming for.
Glazed Carrot Variations
- Maple Glazed Carrots: Swap honey for maple syrup.
- Garlic Herb: Add thyme and minced garlic.
- Orange Honey: Add orange zest and squeeze of juice.
- Spicy Honey: Add chili flakes or cayenne.
- Brown Sugar and Honey: add both for a deeper caramel flavor.
What to Serve with Honey Carrots?
Any Main dish works great! Turkey Tenderloin Recipe, Ribeye Steak, Best NY Strip Steak or Lamb Loin Chops. Also great with fish like Pan Seared Cod, Chilean Sea Bass, Halibut, or Fish Fingers and more!
How to Store and Reheat Honey Glazed carrots
Store leftover in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can microwave them or air fry them wrapped in foil. Air fry for 3 minutes at 350 degrees F. To freeze these, place them in a ziploc bag or container for 3 months. Thaw and reheat.
Why Are My Carrots Mushy?
Overcooked or sliced too thin.
Why Didn’t the Glaze Thicken?
Too much liquid or not reduced long enough.
Why Did the Honey Burn?
Added too much honey or roasting a heat that’s too high.
Can I Use Baby Carrots?
Yes!
Can I Make Them Ahead?
Yes. Reheat gently in skillet with a splash of water and refresh with small knob of butter.
More Veggie Side Dishes to Try
Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Asparagus
Cilantro Lime Rice
Zucchini Fries
Roasted Acorn Squash
Potato Pancakes
Air Fryer Mushrooms
Roasted Butternut Squash
Honey Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
Carrots
- 2 pounds carrots
Honey Glaze
- 3 Tablespoons Butter unsalted
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
- 2 Tablespoons honey or hot honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons Harissa Mina brand Harissa
- 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes optional
Instructions
-
The first step if you're not using small or baby carrots is to cut them up. You can sut any size you want as long as they're equal sizes. This way they roast evenly.
-
Make the Honey Glaze And Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
-
Start by melting the butter in a small pot over medium heat. Use unsalted butter for this recipe so you can control the salt in the carrots.
-
Then add in the garlic and some fresh thyme and cook them down slightly until fragrant. You don't want the garlic to be golden or burnt. Just rather opaque and fragrant.
-
Now add in the honey, harissa, seasoning and mix until well blended together. The glaze is now ready.
-
Pour half of the honey glazed over the carrots and toss them well. Spread the carrots in a parchment lined baking sheet.
-
You need to make sure the carrots are spread in a single layer so they cook evenly.
-
Roast until soft and tender, they will come out looking golden and tender when pierced with a fork. They need 15-18 minutes
-
Take the other half of the remaining gaze and pour it over the roasted and ready carrots and toss them well.
-
And you're ready to enjoy! Garnish with extra fresh herbs if you like, add in some nuts, or even cheese. But it's perfect as is. Simple, delicious and guaranteed to impress!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips For Honey Glazed Carrots
- Make sure the carrots are all the same size before roasting. You can use baby carrots if you're rushed on time.
- Make the glaze ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat it before using.
- Adding the cinnamon will add that layer of warmth to the spices and pairs so beautifully with the carrots.
- Use Hot Honey instead of regular honey for a spice kick like no other!
- Also try our Chili Oil Recipe with these--so good!
- While you can add hot sauce, we LOVE harissa from Mina. It's a Moroccan spice that's wonderfully seasoned, cooked and ready to use. Not too spicy and doesn't taste like vinegar!
- For maximum flavor of the honey glazem divide the glaze. Use half before roasting and half when out of the oven.
- When hot and out of the oven, the carrots will absorb the flavor immensely.
How Long to Cook Honey Glazed Carrots?
- Thin slices: 12–15 minutes total
- Thicker coins: 18–20 minutes
- Whole baby carrots: 20–25 minutes.
They’re done when a knife slides in easily, with edges slightly caramelized and the glaze coats the carrots without feeling like it's leaking out. Tender carrots with perfect coating is what you're aiming for.
Glazed Carrot Variations
- Maple Glazed Carrots: Swap honey for maple syrup.
- Garlic Herb: Add thyme and minced garlic.
- Orange Honey: Add orange zest and squeeze of juice.
- Spicy Honey: Add chili flakes or cayenne.
- Brown Sugar and Honey: add both for a deeper caramel flavor.
What to Serve with Honey Carrots?
Any Main dish works great! Turkey Tenderloin Recipe, Ribeye Steak, Best NY Strip Steak or Lamb Loin Chops. Also great with fish like Pan Seared Cod, Chilean Sea Bass, Halibut, or Fish Fingers and more!
How to Store and Reheat Honey Glazed carrots
Store leftover in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can microwave them or air fry them wrapped in foil. Air fry for 3 minutes at 350 degrees F. To freeze these, place them in a ziploc bag or container for 3 months. Thaw and reheat.
Why Are My Carrots Mushy?
Overcooked or sliced too thin.
Why Didn’t the Glaze Thicken?
Too much liquid or not reduced long enough.
Why Did the Honey Burn?
Added too much honey or roasting a heat that's too high.
Can I Use Baby Carrots?
Yes!
Can I Make Them Ahead?
Yes. Reheat gently in skillet with a splash of water and refresh with small knob of butter.
This recipe is absolutely fantastic! 🥕✨ The combination of honey, butter, and that pinch of cinnamon sounds heavenly. I love how versatile this dish is, working with both everyday meals and fancy dinners. The tips for doubling the glaze and using harissa for a spicy kick are genius—can’t wait to try it with your Hot Honey Recipe! Thank you for making carrots shine as the star of the table. 🍯🔥