Easy Roasted Carrots

Roasted Carrots are the perfect side dish. This is our go-to recipe for oven-roasted carrots. It’s simple, excellent, and reheats beautifully.

We love easy oven-roasted vegetable recipes like Roasted Broccoli and our popular Roasted Asparagus. Roasting carrots brings out their sweetness as they lightly caramelize in the oven.

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Oven-Roasted Carrots Recipe

We love easy meals that require simple ingredients. This recipe is no different. With just a few, wholesome ingredients and pantry staples, you will get one of the most delicious and budget-friendly side dishes.

P.S. Don’t skip the garlic-infused olive oil topping. The combination of the sweet carrots and tangy garlic tastes amazing.

How to Roast Carrots 

The art of roasting carrots became popular during the 1950s and 1960s. Follow the super simple instructions below to make perfect baked carrots every time:

• Prep – Preheat the oven. Peel and chop carrots if necessary.
• Season – Place carrots on a baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and seasoning and roll them to coat. 
• Bake carrots for about 20 minutes or until fork-tender. 
• Serve drizzled with the garlic-infused oil (a must-try).

Do You Peel Carrots Before Roasting?

• Peel carrots when you are using large, full-sized carrots. These tend to have a rougher exterior that appears a bit ashy and fibrous. Use a potato peeler to remove the skins.
• Unpeeled: when using fresh, thinner carrots, some people prefer to leave them on the skin for a rustic texture. This is perfectly fine and all about preference. If you aren’t peeling, it’s a good idea to scrub the outside of the carrots to remove any dirt.

How Do You Cut Carrots for Roasting?

From small dice to large chunks to carrot sticks to medallions, there are many different ways to cut your carrots prior to roasting. Whatever you do, make sure that you use a sharp knife. Carrots can be tough to cut through and using a dull knife increases your chances for dangerous slips and jolts. 

The Key to Even Cooking: No matter what shape you cut your carrots in, be sure to chop them into even-sized pieces. This will help promote even cooking. Nothing is worse than biting into a half-cooked carrot after munching on a tender and juicy one.

How Can I tell When Carrots are Done?

You can roast these to your desired doneness. When the carrots are done, they will be fork tender but not mushy. The size of the carrots will affect their cooking time so I like to test the thickest ones to ensure they are fully done.

If you are planning to roast baby carrots instead of full-sized, you simply need to adjust the cooking time. They tend to cook a couple of minutes faster, so pay close attention to when they turn golden brown and test with a fork or knife.

Serve With

Oven-roasted carrots are simple enough for tonight’s dinner but also belong on a holiday menu. Try them with a side of Creamy Mashed Potatoes or our super-fast Instant Pot Potatoes. They pair well with any main course:

• Juicy Roasted Chicken – our go-to rotisserie chicken
• Pan-Seared Steak – cooked to perfection
• Filet Mignon – in a creamy mushroom sauce
• Baked Salmon – this can roast in the oven at the same time
• Meatloaf – juicy and tender with the best glaze
• Baked Chicken Breast – easy and versatile

Storing Roasted Carrots

• To Store: Roasted Carrots last for up to five days when stored properly. Pop them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge.
• To Reheat: When you are ready to eat them, place them in the oven for 5 minutes to return them to their crispy state. You could also toast on a lightly oiled skillet or use an air fryer if you have one. I would, however, avoid microwaving them which can make them mushy.
• Can I Freeze Roasted Carrots? Avoid freezing your roasted carrots for later use. They tend to turn to mush when reheated. 

More Easy Vegetable Sides

• Baked Potato Wedges
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Baked Sweet Potatoes
• Roasted Potatoes
• Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Roasted Butternut Squash
• Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower