Baby carrots - perfect for snacking AND roasting
Something I always have on hand are baby carrots. They're the perfect snack, any time of year. Some call them the perfect health food, too, as they provide beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K, potassium, and antioxidants. They are also thought to lower cholesterol levels and improve eye health. Sign me up!
I like carrots raw as well as steamed. But if you haven't yet discovered the rewards of roasting vegetables, using this method to make roasted baby carrots takes them to another level.
Why You'll Love This Roasted Baby Carrots Recipe
Roasted baby carrots are easy, flavorful, and seem just a little bit fancy without any extra work. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and gives them those golden, caramelized edges that give them that little extra something. They go with pretty much anything, and you can keep them simple or dress them up with herbs, spices, or a drizzle of glaze.
What are Baby Carrots?
According to the carrotmuseum.co.uk (there is a website for EVERYTHING), a "true" baby carrot is basically an immature carrot. If this is the case, you will see a "shoulder" on each carrot. Manufactured baby carrots are much more common. These are carrots that are peeled, cut and shaped by machines into the shape we see today. Today, 70% of carrot sales are baby carrots!
Ingredients for Oven Roasted Baby Carrots
Another reason to love this recipe is the simplicity - 2 ingredients, that's all you need!
- Baby carrots
- Olive oil
And once you realize how easy and delicious these are, you can try adding other flavors to put your own spin on roasted carrots! (fresh thyme is a lovely add-in)
How to Make Roasted Baby Carrots
Since not all baby carrots are created equal I am providing a range of roasting times.
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The only ingredients you need are carrots and oil.
Roast at 400°F
The skinny carrots only need 30 minutes, but the chubby ones probably need another 10 minutes or so. What you're trying for is a carrot that is fully cooked with a slightly charred exterior. The natural sweetness of the carrot caramelizes and gives you a whole different taste. So good!
These roasted baby carrots are a great component in a Buddha bowl - and so easy! - as well as a vegetable side for any of your meals. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions for Roasted Baby Carrots
Roasted baby carrots are super versatile, you can dress them up or keep them simple depending on the meal. Here are a few easy ways to serve them:
- As a side dish with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, meatloaf, or baked fish.
- Toss them with a drizzle of balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme right before serving.
- Add them to a grain bowl with quinoa, greens, and your favorite protein.
- Serve them warm alongside a holiday meal-they pair especially well with ham or turkey.
How to Store Roasted Baby Carrots
Let the carrots cool completely before storing. Transfer them to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can warm them in the microwave for a quick fix, or pop them in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to bring back some of that roasted texture. You can also repurpose leftovers in salads, grain bowls, or even blend them into soups!
📖 Recipe
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Roasted Baby Carrots Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb baby carrots
- 1 TB olive oil
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Drain liquid from the carrots and spread them out on a paper towel to blot dry.
- Place carrots in a bowl and add olive oil. Stir to coat the carrots with the oil. Salt lightly.
- Spread the oiled carrots out on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 30 minutes, shaking the pan midway through this time to even out the heat.
- Check for "doneness" by piercing one of the largest carrots with a fork. If the fork easily enters the carrot, the baking time is complete. If you hit a hard spot, place the sheet back in the oven for 5-10 additional minutes, until all carrots are cooked through.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Enjoy with quinoa and a salad for a healthy Buddha bowl meal! A great side dish for many meals, like Cheesy Brat Stew or Pepper Steak. There are so many possibilities!
Like roasted veggies? Try some roasted Swiss Chard - so good with Parmesan cheese!
Big Trouble
This is such a staple in my evening meal/snack. I love how simple they are to make! I even tried different spices with the carrots and they turn out so different but delicious each time. Can't go wrong with these babies! (Ha, get it? Babies, baby carrots? I'm hilarious.)
Sula
LOL yes you really should try stand up!
Big Trouble
I just made these and they turned out really good! I love how easy it is to make these, too, because I loathe cooking. Thank you for keeping the recipes simple!
Sula
Sometimes simple is all we need 🙂