Glazed Roasted Carrots (Paleo + Vegan-Friendly)

Maple Glazed Roasted Carrots – This is the BEST roasted carrots recipe! Sweet-glazed carrots with gorgeous caramelized edges make the perfect side dish. (Gluten-Free, Paleo & Vegan-Friendly) 

It’s budget-friendly, easy to put together, and is mostly hands-off.

These glazed roasted carrots are the best of both worlds. They get the subtle sweetness from a simple glaze while taking on the gorgeous caramelized texture of roasted carrots.

HERE’S WHAT GOES INTO MY GLAZED ROASTED CARROTS:

CARROTS. Every good roasted carrot recipe needs carrots! I make my glazed roasted carrots using cut carrots rather than baby carrots (I love the caramelized edges!), but baby carrots should also work.

BUTTER, VEGAN BUTTER, OR GHEE. You can use butter, vegan butter, or ghee (clarified butter) for this glazed carrots recipe based on your dietary needs. (FYI – Ghee is clarified butter and considered dairy-free (suitable for paleo & dairy-free diets.)

PURE MAPLE SYRUP. For some lovely caramelization and subtle sweetness, I love using maple syrup for my glazed roasted carrots. SO GOOD.

GARLIC. If it sounds odd to add garlic to your glazed carrots, TRY IT! The savory-sweet notes absolutely MAKE this recipe. I love the combination so much!

SALT & PEPPER. Since this is a simple glaze, we’ll round out and balance the flavors with a little salt and pepper.

OPTIONAL: HERBS FOR GARNISH. To make these pretty, feel free to garnish them with fresh or freeze-dried herbs. I like parsley or dill. Freeze-dried parsley is especially awesome as its shelf-stable, but keeps its pretty green color. It’s PERFECT for making just about anything look prettier!

FAQ + TIPS & TRICKS FOR PERFECT GLAZED ROASTED CARROTS:

THIS IS MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE PEELER. I didn’t know I could love a vegetable peeler this much until I got this one. I use it for peeling All The Things (it makes these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes a cinch!). If you’re in the market, this one is under $10 and works REALLY well.

A TIP FOR CUTTING YOUR CARROTS. I cut my carrots into thirds or fourths diagonally (called a “bias cut”) rather than straight across because it’s pretty, but it also helps you get better-caramelized edges. If your carrots are extra-thick, you may want to cut those 1/3 or 1/4 pieces in half lengthwise.

CAN I USE OLIVE OIL? You can, though you’ll probably want to add a little extra salt. I find the flavors aren’t quite as nice as using a butter or ghee option.

CAN I USE HONEY OR BROWN SUGAR? If you’d like to, they’ll both work for these glazed roasted carrots. I have found that honey can scorch the pan a bit more, so just keep an eye on it. If you’re going the brown sugar route, be sure to dissolve the sugar well in the butter/ghee before adding the carrots for the best results.

MIX IT UP! TRY ADDING ONE OF THESE. If you’re looking for a flavor change of pace, there are some yummy options to try.

• A pinch of cinnamon (skip the garlic)
• A little chili powder (add with salt & pepper)
• A pinch of smoked paprika (add with salt * pepper)
• 1/2-1 Tbsp. Fresh dill or parsley (as a garnish)

HERE ARE A FEW MORE YUMMY SIDE DISHES TO LOVE:

• Crispy Smashed Potatoes
• Green Beans with Balsamic Pepper Relish
• Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Chili Roasted Zucchini
• Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash
• The BEST Paleo & Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (Dairy-Free + Whole30 Friendly!)

TOOLS FOR THIS MAPLE GLAZED ROASTED CARROTS RECIPE: 

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