Brown sugar roasted carrots are a great way to serve carrots for your Easter dinner — or even just a regular ol’ weeknight meal! Fun fact — roasting actually makes carrots sweeter! Yup! In the oven, their natural sugars decompose and caramelize, which leads to that deep, rich flavor.
These beauties get roasted until tender and slathered in a caramelized mixture of maple syrup (or brown sugar!) with a touch of cinnamon.
Glazed carrots? So typically they’re made on the stove, but lemme tell ya—roasting em takes stuff to a whole nother level!!! Tumbled in maple syrup and butter and roasted until they develop those glistening, caramelized edges, this is essentially a vegetable side dish that tastes like dessert.
Super quick, super easy, and so unreasonably delicious that I could eat a whole bowl of it for dinner. (Okay, I might have done that once.) Oh, and if your oven’s already crowded, no biggie — cook the stovetop version instead, and you still get that same delicious magic of caramelization!
Ingredients Used in Cooking Roasted brown sugar carrots recipe:
- Carrots – The main ingredient, providing natural sweetness and a tender texture.
- Brown sugar – Adds a rich caramel-like sweetness to enhance the carrots’ flavor.
- Garlic powder – Gives a subtle savory depth to balance the sweetness.
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavors and brings out the natural taste of the carrots.
- Black pepper – Adds a mild heat and a hint of spice for balance.
- Unsalted butter – Provides a rich, creamy finish and helps with caramelization.
How to Cook This Delicious Meal?
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F. You don’t want to toss your carrots into a cold oven — it won’t work the same.
Step 2: Prep the Baking Sheet
Get yourself a large baking sheet and cover it in parchment paper. This prevents the need for scrubbing burnt sugar off later. No parchment? Use foil, but grease it lightly to avoid sticking.
Step 3: Chop the Carrots
You can peel the carrots if you like (or leave the skins on for a more rustic touch). You can cut them into sticks or chunks — whatever makes sense. Polka dot them Still eat with chopsticks: a raw fish is still a raw fish, and small pieces of this stuff fit in the mouth more easily — just keep the pieces relatively uniform in size so they cook through. So do it right there on the baking sheet.
Step 4: Mix the Coating
In a small bowl, combine:
And brown sugar for that heavier, caramelized sweetness
Garlic powder for warm, savory balance
Salt and pepper to taste
Melted butter for that lustrous, glossy top
Step 5: Coat the Carrots
Spoon the mixture over the carrots. Then use your hands or a spoon to coat everything, piece by piece. Don’t skip this step — nobody wants dry, unevenly seasoned carrots.
Step 6: Roast the Carrots
Transfer the tray to the oven and roast for 16-18 minutes. If you prefer them softer still, leave them longer still. If you like them with a bit of bite, check them sooner. Watch them closely — burnt sugar is not your friend here.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Remove from the oven and place the vegetables on a serving platter. That’s it. So easy and super flavorful.
Optional: Scatter fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme for added color and flavor. A squeeze of lemon juice, too, would provide a nice, bright counterpoint. Time to dig in.
Tips to Keep in Mind While Cooking:
- Cut Evenly for Even Cooking
If some pieces are too big and others too small, they won’t cook at the same speed. Try to keep them uniform so they all roast evenly. - Don’t Skip the Tossing Step
Just drizzling the butter mixture over the carrots isn’t enough. Make sure to toss everything well so each piece is fully coated. This ensures every bite is flavorful. - Watch the Oven—Sugar Burns Fast
Brown sugar caramelizes beautifully, but it can also burn quickly. Keep an eye on the carrots, especially in the last few minutes. If they start browning too much, lower the oven temp slightly. - Let Them Rest for a Few Minutes
Once out of the oven, let the carrots sit for a couple of minutes. This helps the flavors settle and makes them even tastier. - Customize the Flavor
Want more depth? Add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth or a dash of chili powder for some heat. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end can also brighten the dish.
Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots Recipe
Roasted carrots coated in a buttery brown sugar glaze, bringing out their natural sweetness. The garlic, salt, and pepper add a perfect balance of flavor. Baked until tender and caramelized for a rich, golden finish. A simple, delicious side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
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Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
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Cut carrots into sticks or chunks. Place on sheet.
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In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper and melted butter. Drizzle over carrots. Toss to coat.
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Roast in the oven for 16 to 18 minutes OR until the carrots are tender. Remove from oven, place onto serving dish.
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Serve.
Servings 5
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 200kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 8g13%
- Saturated Fat 5g25%
- Cholesterol 20mg7%
- Sodium 150mg7%
- Potassium 400mg12%
- Total Carbohydrate 30g10%
- Dietary Fiber 4g16%
- Sugars 18g
- Protein 1.5g3%
- Vitamin A 15000 IU
- Vitamin C 6 mg
- Calcium 50 mg
- Iron 0.5 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.