Name: Honey Glazed Roast 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)

Every time I make these sweet, tender carrots, I can’t help but smile. There’s just something so cozy and uplifting about this Honey Glazed Roast Carrots Recipe—the perfect blend of natural sweetness and warm spices that bring any meal to life.

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 Roast Carrots Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Glazed Roast Carrots Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Glazed Roast Carrots Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I stumbled upon this honey glazed carrots combo one chilly autumn evening when I wanted something simple yet special to brighten up dinner. It quickly became one of my go-to sides because it’s effortless, flavorful, and always gets compliments—even from carrot skeptics!

Simple to make: You only need a handful of ingredients and a roasting pan—minimal prep, maximum flavor.
Balanced flavors: The honey’s sweetness perfectly complements a pinch of cinnamon and ginger for subtle warmth.
Versatile: These carrots jazz up weeknight dinners or impress guests at the holiday table.
Healthy and hearty: Carrots bring fiber and vitamins, while honey and spices add a guilt-free touch of indulgence.

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

Each ingredient in this Honey Glazed Roast Carrots Recipe has a role—some add depth, others bring sweetness or richness. Knowing why helps you make it your own, whether you want to swap honey for maple syrup or use ghee instead of butter.

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: Fresh and firm, they roast beautifully, softening while their natural sugars caramelize.
Honey: The star of the show—adds luscious sweetness and helps with the glaze’s signature shine.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives just the right savory kick without overpowering the sweetness.
Butter or ghee: Adds richness and helps the glaze coat the carrots evenly.
Olive oil: Keeps carrots moist and helps everything roast nicely without sticking.
Cinnamon: Brings warmth and a subtle spice note that pairs perfectly with honey.
Ground ginger: Adds a tiny zing, lifting the flavor complexity.
Salt and black pepper: Balances all the sweetness and rounds off flavors.
Fresh herbs for garnish (optional): Parsley, thyme, or rosemary add freshness and color on top.

📝

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 to tailor honey glazed carrots depending on the season or the meal. Sometimes, I swap the cinnamon for smoked paprika for a savory twist, or add a pinch of chili flakes if I’m craving a bit of heat. You can easily make this vegan by using olive oil instead of butter.

Variation: One time, I roasted baby rainbow carrots with this glaze, and the color alone made the dish feel special. Plus, the different hues gave a subtle flavor shift that I really enjoyed.
Herbs: I often switch between thyme and rosemary depending on what herbs I have fresh, both give a lovely aroma.
Sweetener swap: If you don't have honey, maple syrup or agave work wonderfully too.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Carrots

Start by peeling and slicing your carrots on a diagonal into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces. If your carrots are thick, slicing them in half lengthwise helps them roast evenly. Cutting on the diagonal isn't just for looks—it's all about maximizing the surface area for that beautiful glaze to cling to.

Step 2: Mix Your Glaze

In a large mixing bowl, toss the carrots with honey, minced garlic, melted butter (or ghee), olive oil, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands or a spatula to mix everything until the carrots are evenly coated with that sweet and spiced glaze.

Step 3: Roast to Perfection

Spread the glazed carrots evenly on a sheet pan so they have space to roast rather than steam. Pop them into a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes, tossing halfway through to coat them in any glaze pooling on the pan. For an extra caramelized finish, I like to broil them for the last 2-3 minutes—but watch closely so they don’t burn!

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once roasted, transfer the carrots to a serving dish and sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like parsley or thyme on top. They add a splash of color and a fresh herbal punch that balances the sweetness beautifully.

Top Tip

From my experience roasting these carrots multiple times, a few key techniques make all the difference between okay and absolutely delicious. Trust me, these tips make your honey glazed carrots shine every time.

Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give your carrots room to roast rather than steam, so they get those lovely caramelized edges.
Toss halfway through: Mixing them around mid-roast ensures all sides get evenly coated and cooked.
Broil cautiously: If you want extra browning, broil for just 2-3 minutes at the end. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
Fresh garlic over powder: Using minced fresh garlic gives a bright punch that dried garlic just can’t match here.

How to Serve Honey Glazed Roast Carrots Recipe

Honey Glazed Carrots - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I almost always go with fresh parsley or thyme because their brightness contrasts beautifully with the caramelized sweetness of the carrots. Sometimes, a sprinkle of toasted nuts like sliced almonds or pistachios adds texture and a little crunch that feels indulgent.

Side Dishes

This Honey Glazed Roast Carrots Recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken or turkey. I also love serving them alongside a creamy risotto or with a hearty grain bowl stirred with chickpeas and feta for an easy vegetarian meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like to arrange these carrots in a pretty fan shape on a serving platter, topped with fresh herbs and a drizzle of extra honey just before serving. You can even roast baby carrots whole and serve them with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a rustic touch that always impresses guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover roasted carrots in an airtight container in the fridge, and they stay tasty for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat them, just bring them to room temperature or warm gently.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen them often, you can freeze honey glazed carrots. Just flash freeze on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’re best reheated gently in the oven to revive their glaze and texture.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the carrots on a baking sheet and warm them at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. If you have time, adding a tiny drizzle of honey or butter before reheating freshens up the glaze wonderfully.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Honey Glazed Roast Carrots Recipe vegan?

Yes! Simply swap out the butter or ghee for extra olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative to keep the glaze rich and delicious without any dairy.

How do I avoid soggy carrots?

To keep your carrots nicely roasted and not soggy, don’t overcrowd the sheet pan and roast at a high temperature (425°F/220°C). This ensures they caramelize rather than steam. Tossing them halfway through also promotes even roasting.

Can I use other sweeteners besides honey?

Absolutely! Maple syrup or agave nectar are great alternatives that provide a similar natural sweetness and help the glaze develop that irresistible shine and caramelization.

What herbs work best for garnish?

Fresh parsley and thyme are my favorites because they add a bright, fresh counterpoint to the sweet carrots. Rosemary also pairs beautifully if you want a more woodsy herbal note.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Glazed Roast Carrots Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to—reliable, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser. It strikes the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic, and I genuinely hope it becomes a favorite in your kitchen too. Give it a try soon, and I’m sure you’ll find yourself making it again and again, just like I do!