Crispy Roasted Carrots Recipe Easy Perfect Sweet Caramelized Edges
This recipe delivers crispy roasted carrots with sweet caramelized edges, combining a perfect balance of crispy outsides and tender, meltingly sweet insides. It’s an easy, quick side dish that is both nostalgic and crowd-pleasing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds carrots (about 700g), peeled and cut into evenly sized sticks or rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Peel and cut the carrots into uniform sticks about 3-4 inches long and ½ inch thick.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the carrots with olive oil, brown sugar, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder if using. Toss until every piece is well coated.
- Spread the carrots out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Roast for 20 minutes, then use tongs to flip the carrots over to promote even caramelization.
- Continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes until edges are golden-brown and caramelized and carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
- If using fresh herbs, sprinkle them over the carrots immediately after removing from the oven.
- Serve immediately while warm with crispy edges.
Notes
For extra crispiness, you can broil the carrots for the last 1-2 minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning. Do not overcrowd the pan to prevent steaming and sogginess. Flip carrots halfway through roasting for even caramelization. Reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven to maintain crispiness; avoid microwaving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About ½ cup per serv
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 230
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 0.7
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 1
Keywords: crispy roasted carrots, caramelized carrots, easy side dish, healthy carrots, roasted vegetables, vegan side, gluten-free side