Sweet, tender, lightly flavored with maple and thyme, my recipe for Maple Roasted Baby Carrots is a real crowd pleaser. Bonus for you - since you're using baby carrots, the prep work is almost non-existent!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Baby Carrots Recipe
I would imagine at this point, you already know that I'm a huge fan of sheet pan meals - the prep is usually pretty minimal, everything bakes together, and clean up is a snap.
This particular side dish recipe is extra easy because the veggies are already prepped and ready to go! Simply open a bag of baby carrots, mince up some garlic and you're basically done.
I also love how healthy this naturally vegan and gluten free veg dish is. The maple syrup is used sparingly, just enough to help the carrots become golden and caramelized. The rest is just heart healthy olive oil, salt & pepper, fresh (or dried) thyme, and a little T-I-M-E in the oven.
In my experience, this is a perfect side dish for any cold weather dinner. Honestly, who doesn't love roasted carrots?? Even the kids will go nuts for this naturally sweet side.
This delicious roasted baby carrots recipe is simple enough to make on a busy weeknight, but is tasty enough to get to on your Thanksgiving buffet. So let's get cooking, shall we?
Ingredients
You can easily count the number of ingredients this roasted vegetable side on two hands. Here's everything you'll need:
- Baby Carrots - I love using baby carrots for this recipe because they are already peeled and cut to the perfect size! If you only have regular carrots on hand, however, don't fret - simply peel and chop into chunky pieces.
- Maple Syrup - When fall rolls around, maple syrup finds its way into many things at my house: coffee or tea, smoothies, oatmeal, salad dressings, and even the roasted veggie side dishes! If you don't have any on hand, feel free to substitute honey or agave syrup instead.
- Garlic - Fresh is best, if possible. If not, opt for ¼ teaspoon of dried garlic powder instead.
- Olive Oil - I love the flavor of extra virgin olive oil, but use whatever you have on hand.
- Thyme - Fresh thyme is lovely; it's fragrant, delicate, and pretty to look at. Keep some growing on your windowsill for a never-ending supply! If you only have dried thyme on hand, use only about ¼ teaspoon.
- Salt & Pepper - They are key to every savory recipe, and even some sweet ones! Opt for fresh cracked peppercorns and pink Himalayan salt or Kosher salt.
How To Roast Baby Carrots
This recipe is straightforward! First, pre-heat the oven to 425°F.
In a bowl, toss the baby carrots with minced garlic, salt, freshly cracked pepper, maple syrup, olive oil and fresh thyme.
Transfer the tossed carrots on baking sheet pan and spread in a single layer.
Roast for 25-30 minutes, tossing once halfway through, or until the carrots are fork tender with caramelized edges.
Remove the sheet pan from the oven, letting it sit for few minutes. Dish onto a serving plate, garnish with some fresh thyme and serve!
FAQs
With this simple recipe, you can have them on the table in 30 minutes flat!
Usually the frozen carrots I see are small, round, crinkle-cut pieces. While you can use them in a pinch, I don't think they have quite the same appeal as larger pieces. If you do swap them in, be sure to keep an eye on them as they roast - smaller pieces usually also mean less cook time.
Baby carrots should be easily pricked through with a fork when they are roasted. If the carrot is putting up a fight with your fork, put the sheet pan back in the oven until they yield.
Optional Add-Ins
This yummy roasted baby carrots recipe is just the beginning! Feel free to add any medley of veggies to the mix. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Broccoli
- Parsnips
- Cauliflower
- Fingerling Potatoes (also perfectly sized!!!)
- Sweet potatoes
If you are adding more veg to roast alongside the carrots, be sure to cut them to roughly the same size as baby carrots - about 2 bites worth. Also, do try my savory Roasted Carrots and Potatoes, Warm Roasted Purple Potato Salad and Roasted Parsnips, Roasted Cauliflower Parmesan for upcoming Thanksgiving dinner.
Variations
Once you start oven roasting your carrots, I have a feeling you won't go back to pan sautéing them anytime soon. Don't feel like you're in a rut, either! Try:
- Using honey or brown sugar instead of maple syrup.
- Drizzling it with some balsamic vinegar before roasting, or reduce balsamic into a syrup to serve.
- Using butter instead of olive oil.
- Adding warming spices like cinnamon instead of thyme.
If you come up with any particularly delicious combinations the world should know about, post it to Instagram and don't forget to tag me!
Other Tasty Veggie Sides
If you made this recipe for my Maple Roasted Baby Carrots, please be sure to rate and review it below!
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Roasted Baby Carrots Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound Baby Carrots (rinse and pat dry)
- 1 Garlic (minced)
- Salt n Freshly Cracked Pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1½ tablespoons Olive Oil
- Fresh Thyme (as needed)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven at 425°F.
- In a bowl, toss the baby carrots with minced garlic, salt, freshly cracked pepper, maple syrup, olive oil and fresh thyme.
- Transfer the tossed carrots on baking sheet pan and spread in a single layer.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes (tossing once halfway through) or until fork tender with a bit of caramalized edges.
- Remove from the oven, let it sit for few minutes. Dish out, sprinkle some fresh thyme and serve!
Notes
- Using honey or brown sugar instead of maple syrup.
- Drizzling it with some balsamic vinegar before roasting, or reduce balsamic into a syrup to serve.
- Using butter instead of olive oil.
- Adding warming spices like cinnamon instead of thyme.
Katie Crenshaw says
The maple syrup and thyme make these carrots so good! This is now one of my favorite sides.
Jessica says
The maple and carrots compliment each other so well and the thyme is the perfect finishing touch. I can’t wait to share this dish with my family this Thanksgiving!
Silvia says
Roasting carrots is the way to go, nothing like preparing them, putting them in the oven and setting the timer. Easy
Leslie Sawmiller says
I love this roasted baby carrots recipe! It's so easy to make and the maple flavor is AMAZING!
Heather says
roasting brings out so much flavour for veggies - and these carrots are no exception
Patti@PattyCakesPantry says
I love how sweet the carrots become during the roasting process. This is a simple and delicious recipe, great as a side dish any day of the week.
Allyssa says
Highly recommended! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious!
Marta Rivera Diaz says
A fresh take on a classic side dish. I can't wait to try all your suggestions! Thank you for sharing.
Colleen says
I don't know why I didn't think of using baby carrots before! You're right, there's no prep! My new favorite way to roast carrots.