MAPLE ROASTED CARROTS
Caramelized • Tender • Naturally Sweet • 30 Minutes
These Maple Roasted Carrots are the kind of simple, wholesome recipe that instantly becomes a staple on your table. They’re sweet, buttery, lightly caramelized, and roasted at high heat so the edges get perfectly golden while the centers stay tender. With minimal ingredients and almost no prep, this is the side dish you’ll make again and again for holidays, weeknights, and everything in between.
Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner, hosting a holiday gathering, or looking for an easy veggie to brighten up a weeknight meal, these carrots deliver every single time. Maple syrup brings warm sweetness, olive oil adds richness, and a touch of butter makes them glossy and luxurious. They’re incredibly kid-friendly, pair with almost any protein, and look beautiful on the table. This is one of those recipes that tastes far more impressive than the effort it requires and a true kitchen win.
Roasting vegetables at a high temperature is one of my favorite ways to bring out deep, natural flavor. Carrots, especially, shine when roasted. Their natural sweetness intensifies, the edges caramelize, and the texture becomes perfectly soft without turning mushy. When you add maple syrup and melted butter to the mix, the flavor goes from good to completely irresistible. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, buttery, and warm.
Another reason I love this recipe: it’s extremely flexible. You can slice the carrots however you like, dress them up with fresh herbs, or give them a spicy kick with chili flakes. They reheat beautifully, making them a fantastic meal-prep side for lunches and bowls. They also hold well at room temperature, which makes them ideal for holidays and entertaining when the oven is doing double duty.
But Seriously, these are unreal good
If you’re ever looking for a vegetable dish that feels festive, colorful, and guaranteed to please a crowd, this is it. These carrots pair effortlessly with chicken, turkey, ham, salmon, roasted beef, and more. You can keep them simple or dress them up with fun holiday garnishes like pomegranate seeds or pistachios. No matter how you serve them, they always taste like a dish you’d expect at a restaurant, and no one has to know how easy they were.
Let’s make them!
Why You’ll Love These Maple Roasted Carrots
- Ready in just 30 minutes
- Kid-approved and naturally sweet
- Perfect for holidays, weeknights, meal prep, and potlucks
- Only a handful of pantry ingredients
- Caramelized, glossy, buttery, and flavorful
- Foolproof and reliable every single time
🛒 Ingredients
- 2 lbs carrots, peeled & sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 ½ tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder
- Salt + pepper, to taste
- Parsley or flaky salt, for garnish
🍽️ How to Make Maple Roasted Carrots
Step 1: Prep
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Peel and slice the carrots into even pieces for consistent roasting.
Step 2: Season
In a large bowl, toss carrots with olive oil, maple syrup, melted butter, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
The mixture should lightly coat all sides of the carrots.
Step 3: Spread on Sheet Pan
Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Spread carrots into an even single layer. This is key — overcrowding prevents caramelizing.
Step 4: Roast
Roast for 22–28 minutes, flipping halfway, until the carrots are caramelized, tender, and golden around the edges.
Step 5: Garnish
Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped parsley or flaky salt if desired.
🔥 Pro Tips for Perfect Roasted Carrots
- Roast at 425°F for maximized caramelization
- Space carrots out on the pan
- Slice evenly to ensure consistent cooking
- For deeper flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar
- For shine, drizzle a tiny bit of warm butter before serving
- For a holiday upgrade, add cinnamon or nutmeg
Variations
- Spicy Maple Carrots: Add ¼–½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Maple Dijon Carrots: Add 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Savory Herb Carrots: Add rosemary or thyme
- Fancy Holiday Version: Garnish with pomegranate seeds + pistachios
- Honey Carrots: Swap maple syrup for honey
What to Serve These With
These carrots pair beautifully with:
- Crispy Lemon Garlic Chicken Cutlets
- Honey Baked Salmon Bites
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Fall Harvest Bowls
- Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
- Roasted chicken, steak, or your favorite protein
Storage + Reheating
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Reheat: 400°F for 5–7 minutes
- Microwave: Quick but less crisp
- Freeze: Up to 2 months (best fresh)
Equipment
Get the Recipe:
Maple Roasted Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 lbs carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1½ tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley or flaky salt, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Peel and slice the carrots into even pieces for consistent roasting.
Step 2: Season
- In a large bowl, toss carrots with olive oil, maple syrup, melted butter, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- The mixture should lightly coat all sides of the carrots.
Step 3: Spread on Sheet Pan
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Spread carrots into an even single layer—overcrowding prevents caramelizing.
Step 4: Roast
- Roast for 22–28 minutes, flipping halfway, until the carrots are caramelized, golden, and tender.
Step 5: Garnish
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped parsley or flaky salt, if desired.
Notes
- Slice carrots evenly so they cook at the same rate and caramelize instead of steaming.
- • For deeper caramelization, broil for the last 1–2 minutes, keeping a close eye on them.
- • Swap maple syrup for honey if needed — both give great sweetness + shine.
- • Add extra heat with a pinch of cayenne or more chili powder.
- • Use baby carrots in a pinch — increase cook time slightly.
- • Leftovers reheat beautifully in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes until warm and crisp on the edges.
- • This recipe pairs perfectly with chicken, turkey, salmon, or weeknight bowls.
FAQ
Can I use baby carrots?
Yes. Roast 5–10 minutes longer.
Can I make this recipe ahead?
Absolutely. Reheat at 425°F before serving to re-caramelize.
Can I use honey instead of maple?
Yes — it works perfectly.
Why didn’t my carrots brown?
Overcrowded pan or oven wasn’t hot enough. Cook longer in 5 minuet increments.