Easy Homemade Maple Roasted Carrots
Easy Homemade Maple Roasted Carrots are sweet, salty, and buttery all rolled together. This carrot recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser this holiday season because the carrots are coated in a maple garlic butter glaze and baked in the oven until shiny and caramelized. They are prepared with pantry staple ingredients and these carrots are easy enough to prepare at a moment’s notice. Plus, they complement just about any protein, making them an incredibly versatile side dish.
EASY HOMEMADE MAPLE ROASTED CARROTS
In a perfect world, we strive to combine healthy food choices with great taste; these roasted carrots are the best of both worlds. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots, and the maple syrup glaze takes it a step further, adding a golden color and an extra layer of sweetness.
This turns an everyday vegetable like carrots into a gourmet side dish perfect for any meal and it complements any main course! This is why Maple Roasted Carrots are the most popular side dish for the Holidays in addition they are delicious any night of the week.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE IT
- Carrots: Full-size carrots are good caramelization.
- Butter: Adds fat and flavor while helping to caramelize the carrots.
- Maple syrup/Brown Sugar: Using maple syrup and brown sugar adds sweetness to the carrots.
- Garlic: Adds a savory element to this sweet equation.
How to Roast Carrots
Easy Delicious Homemade Maple Roasted Carrots are prepared with just a few ingredients. Basically, just whole carrots tossed in maple syrup, garlic, brown sugar, butter, and finally roasted until sweet and tender.
- Wash the carrots to remove dirt, peel them, and wash them again.
- Transfer the carrots to a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet in one single layer. Dot butter all over the carrots and pour the maple garlic butter mixture over the carrots. Season with pepper and salt and toss to combine.
- Roast at 400˚F for 30 to 40 minutes, or until tender. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the carrots.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley and serve
PRO COOKING TIPS AND TRICKS
- If you cut carrots in half and longwise they will roast faster.
- You can skip the brown sugar from the glaze, but it does add a lot of flavor.
- Arrange the carrots in a single layer on the baking sheet, not overlapping, and don’t overfill the pan.
- Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the carrots. To test for doneness, check the carrots at the 25-minute mark by piercing the thickest part of the carrot with a fork. If it penetrates easily, the carrots are done.
- To Prepare a Day Ahead: Wash, scrub, coat the carrots with the maple mixture, cover, and refrigerate until you are ready to bake.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER MAPLE-ROASTED CARROTS?
Maple-roasted carrots will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH MAPLE ROASTED CARROTS?
These carrots would be a great complement to chicken or beef entrees like Honey Glazed Parmesan Chicken or Tender Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin, but honestly, I would be okay eating a whole plate of these carrots by themselves. Plus, the walnuts add texture that helps fill you up.
Some other main dishes that you can serve these maple carrots with are:
Easy Homemade Maple Roasted Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Carrot (washed and peeled)
- 4 Cloves Garlic (minced)
- ⅓ Cup Maple Syrup
- ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
- 4 Tbsp Butter (diced into cubes)
- Chopped Parsley (garnish)
- Walnuts (optional) (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Foil line a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside while you prepare the carrots.
- Peel and wash two pounds of carrots. Transfer the carrots to the baking sheet and spread them out in one single layer. Set aside again.
- Whisk and combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl.
- Pour the maple mixture over the carrots. season with salt and pepper and toss to coat the carrots. Randomly dot the butter pieces all over the carrots.
- Bake for 30 minutes, toss the carrots at least once halfway through baking, Begin to check for doneness at the 20-minute mark by piercing the thickest part of the carrot with a fork. Depending on the thickness of the carrot or how you cut them will affect how long they bake.
- Remove from oven and taste the carrots for seasonings add more salt if necessary, Garnish with fresh herbs and optional chopped walnuts.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!