Florencia Baldini Last Updated on December 7, 2025If you’re looking for an easy festive side that always gets empty plates, these Honey Glazed Carrots are the one to make. They’re soft, caramelised on the edges, and coated in the most delicious glossy honey glaze that feels a little bit special without any effort at all.
I love this recipe because it’s the kind of side dish you can pair with absolutely anything—Christmas dinner, a weekend roast, or a quick midweek meal when you want something sweet and savoury that just works. The oven does all the hard lifting, the carrots naturally sweeten as they roast, and the honey adds that beautiful sticky finish that everyone loves at the table.
They look so pretty too, even when you chop them into irregular pieces — the uneven edges catch the heat beautifully, giving you those caramelised, sticky bits that make every bite so good. This is one of those recipes you’ll end up making again and again because it’s simple, wholesome, and truly buonissimo.
Tips & Hacks
Use similar-sized carrots: This helps them roast evenly and caramelise at the same time.
Don’t overcrowd the tray: Two layers max—this helps the edges char and becomes extra sticky.
Rest before serving: Let the roasted carrots sit for 2 minutes so the honey thickens into a glaze.
Swaps
Olive Oil: A neutral oil like rapeseed or sunflower will also work in this recipe.
Honey: Maple syrup is a great alternative and keeps the glaze naturally sweet.
Thyme: Rosemary works well too and adds a more festive, aromatic touch.
Carrots: You can use baby carrots—just reduce the roasting time slightly.
Storage
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring the caramelised edges back.
Freezer: Not recommended. Roasted carrots tend to soften too much after freezing.
More Healthy Festive Sides
- Garlic Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
- Healthy Cornbread Recipe (No Butter, Refined Sugar Free)
- Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecans
- Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
Honey Glazed Carrots
Video
Ingredients
- 800 g 14 oz carrots, scrubbed or peeled
- 50 ml olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 50 ml honey
- ¼ tsp dried parsley, or thyme
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F) fan.
- Peel the carrots with a potato peeler, remove the tips, and cut them into irregular chunks. I like chopping them this way because the uneven edges caramelise beautifully in the oven and give you those delicious sticky, golden bits.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper to create the glaze.
- Pour the carrots into a large bowl, drizzle over the glaze, and mix well so every piece is coated.
- Transfer the glazed carrots into the baking dish then roast for 20 minutes.
- Remove the tray from the oven and flip the carrots.
- Return to the oven for a further 10 minutes, until the edges begin to char slightly and the honey becomes glossy.
- Let the carrots rest in the tray for 2 minutes—this helps the glaze thicken.
- Transfer to a serving dish and spoon over any honey glaze left in the baking dish.
