Description
This Oven Roasted Carrots with Maple Cinnamon recipe offers a deliciously sweet and savory side dish, perfect for holiday feasts or everyday meals. Tender carrots are coated in a buttery maple cinnamon glaze, then oven-roasted to perfection, making them fork-tender with a beautiful caramelized finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots
- 2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into thirds (or 2 pounds baby carrots)
Maple Cinnamon Glaze
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Seasoning & Garnish
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley or cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for roasting the carrots evenly and caramelizing their natural sugars.
- Prepare the glaze: In a small pot over medium-high heat, melt the unsalted butter completely. Stir in the maple syrup, minced garlic, and ground cinnamon. Allow the mixture to cook together for about 30 seconds, then remove from heat to prevent burning the garlic.
- Coat the carrots: Place the peeled and cut carrots into a large mixing bowl. Pour the warm maple cinnamon butter mixture over them and toss thoroughly so every piece is evenly coated with the flavorful glaze.
- Arrange on baking sheets: Transfer the coated carrots in a single layer onto one or two large baking sheets. Spreading them out helps them roast evenly and develop a nice caramelization.
- Roast the carrots: Place the baking sheet(s) in the preheated oven and roast for 20 to 30 minutes. Flip the carrots halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Thicker carrots will require closer to 30 minutes, whereas thinner or baby carrots will be done around 20 minutes. Roast until the carrots are fork tender and slightly caramelized.
- Season and garnish: Once roasted, taste the carrots and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Finally, garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro to add a fresh, vibrant note.
- Serve: Serve the delicious oven roasted carrots warm as a perfect side dish to complement your meal.
Notes
- These carrots, tossed with a buttery maple cinnamon glaze, make an excellent side dish for holiday meals or any occasion requiring a sweet, savory vegetable accompaniment.
- Use baby carrots for quicker roasting time and more uniform size.
- Adjust the cinnamon and garlic amounts based on your preference for spiciness and sweetness.
- If desired, experiment by adding a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes for a subtle smoky or spicy kick.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe
- Calories: 149 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
