Roasted Carrots with Maple Glaze (Printable)

Tender roasted carrots in sweet maple glaze with olive oil, butter, and lemon. An easy, elegant vegetable side dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1.5 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or slices

→ Glaze

02 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
06 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
07 - 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin, optional

→ Garnish

09 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together maple syrup, olive oil, melted butter, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and cumin if using.
03 - Add carrots to the bowl and toss well to coat evenly with glaze mixture.
04 - Spread coated carrots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until carrots are tender and slightly caramelized at the edges.
06 - Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The maple glaze creates this perfect balance where the edges caramelize into these irresistible candy-like bits while the centers stay tender and sweet.
  • You can prep everything in about 10 minutes flat, which has saved me on those nights when the main dish demands all my attention but I still need something impressive on the table.
02 -
  • Dont rush the roasting process by cranking up the heat, as Ive learned the maple syrup can burn before the carrots are tender, leaving you with a bitter result instead of that gorgeous caramelization.
  • Stirring exactly once halfway through cooking gives you the best of both worlds: even cooking and maximum surface contact with the pan for caramelization.
03 -
  • The type of baking sheet matters more than you might think, as a darker pan promotes better caramelization, while a lighter aluminum one requires a few extra minutes of cooking time.
  • Save and refrigerate any leftover maple glaze from the bottom of your serving dish, its amazing drizzled over morning yogurt or stirred into a vinaigrette for your next salad.

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