If you’re looking for a side dish that hits all the right notes—sweet, spicy, savory, and vibrantly colorful—Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey is about to become your new favorite. Roasting brings out the carrots’ natural sugars, while a warming blend of spices and a sticky, chili-spiked honey drizzle add layers of flavor and a touch of heat. Whether you serve it at your next dinner party or spice up a weeknight meal, this dish is bright, bold, and completely irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s beauty in simplicity, and every ingredient in this recipe serves a delicious purpose, from the earthy carrots to the bold spices and punchy hot honey drizzle. Gather these kitchen staples and watch them work a little magic together—the result is both gorgeous and totally mouthwatering.
- Carrots: Choose fresh, firm, and brightly colored carrots for the sweetest flavor and the most appealing texture.
- Olive oil: This coats the carrots so they roast evenly and develop beautiful caramelized edges.
- Ground cumin: A touch of cumin adds warmth and a subtle smokiness that enhances the carrots.
- Smoked paprika: This delivers an earthy, rich flavor with an inviting hint of smoke—essential for depth.
- Cinnamon: Just a bit brings a gentle sweetness and warmth, making the dish extra aromatic.
- Chili powder: It’s here for a mild kick and to complement the upcoming hot honey drizzle.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and for drawing out the carrots’ natural sweetness.
- Black pepper: Adds a balancing bite and rounds out the spice mix.
- Honey: The sweet canvas for your hot honey, perfectly tying the dish together.
- Red pepper flakes: Control the heat in your drizzle and wake up all the other flavors.
- Apple cider vinegar (optional): Just a dash brings a lovely tang that cuts through the sweetness and richness.
How to Make Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This high heat is the secret to getting those carrots caramelized and irresistibly golden. The parchment means easy cleanup—a tiny bonus for your future self.
Step 2: Toss Carrots with Spices
In a large mixing bowl, combine the peeled and chopped carrots with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Give them a good toss to make sure every piece is coated in that flavorful blend. Each spice has its own role in this recipe, and together they’ll create the bold backbone of Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey.
Step 3: Roast Until Caramelized
Spread the seasoned carrots out on the prepared sheet in a single layer—no crowding, or they’ll steam instead of roast. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once about halfway through, until the carrots are tender and starting to caramelize on the edges.
Step 4: Make the Hot Honey Drizzle
While the carrots roast, combine the honey and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan set over low heat. Gently warm the mixture for one to two minutes—don’t let it boil—or just until it’s infused with some chili heat. If you’re in the mood for a bit of tang, go ahead and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Remove from heat while you check on those fragrant, golden carrots.
Step 5: Drizzle and Serve
Once the carrots are perfectly roasted, transfer them to a platter and drizzle generously with your warm, spicy honey. This is the moment where Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey truly shines—fragrant, sticky, and gleaming. Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs or a handful of toasted seeds for a final flourish, if you like.
How to Serve Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey
Garnishes
For an eye-catching and flavorful finish, top your Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey with fresh chopped parsley, cilantro, or mint. A handful of toasted walnuts, almonds, or pepitas lends extra crunch. Feel free to play with citrus zest or a finishing sprinkle of flaky sea salt for even more personality.
Side Dishes
These carrots are truly versatile, pairing beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, seared fish, or your favorite grain bowls. For a vegetarian spread, serve alongside herby quinoa pilaf, a creamy tahini dip, or crisp salads for contrast. Their sweet heat complements just about any main.
Creative Ways to Present
For a holiday table or special gathering, arrange the carrots on a long platter and drizzle with hot honey just before serving for maximum shine. You can also pile them high in a shallow bowl, swirl on extra honey, and scatter plenty of herbs and seeds for a family-style presentation. Try serving over whipped feta or Greek yogurt for a decadent twist on Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to four days. The flavors actually deepen over time, meaning tomorrow’s lunch will be even more delicious!
Freezing
While fresh is best for optimal texture, you can freeze the roasted carrots if needed. Spread them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The honey drizzle is best made fresh, so hold off until you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
To reheat, spread the carrots on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until hot. This revives that irresistible roasted flavor and keeps them from getting soggy. Add a fresh drizzle of hot honey just before serving to wake up all the flavors.
FAQs
Can I use baby carrots instead of whole carrots?
Absolutely! Baby carrots are super convenient; just make sure they’re cut to about the same size for even roasting. They’ll still soak up all those warming spices and pair perfectly with the hot honey drizzle.
How spicy is the hot honey?
You’re in control here! Start with the amount of red pepper flakes in the recipe for mild heat, and add more if you want extra kick. Taste as you go—remember, it’s easier to add more spice than to tone it down.
Is apple cider vinegar necessary?
Not at all—it’s optional. The vinegar adds a touch of brightness and balances the sweetness of the honey, but if you prefer a purely sweet-and-spicy finish, you can skip it.
Can I make Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey ahead of time?
Yes! The carrots can be roasted ahead and refrigerated. Just reheat and add the hot honey right before serving. You might even discover the flavors are more robust the next day.
What can I do if I don’t have smoked paprika?
Regular paprika works in a pinch, though it won’t have the same smoky aroma. For a hint of smokiness, a dash of chipotle powder can be a fun substitute. The important thing is to keep that warming, earthy element in the dish.
Final Thoughts
Give Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey a spot on your table, and get ready for rave reviews—they’re impossibly simple, totally stunning, and always packed with unforgettable flavor. Whether you’re brightening up a regular Tuesday or celebrating with friends, this dish is sure to spark joy. Can’t wait for you to try it!
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Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Spiced Roasted Carrots with Hot Honey are a flavorful and colorful side dish that will elevate any meal. The tender roasted carrots are coated in a blend of warm spices and drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze.
Ingredients
For the carrots:
- 1 1/2 pounds carrots (peeled and cut into sticks or thick coins)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the hot honey drizzle:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional for tang)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss carrots: In a large bowl, toss the carrots with olive oil, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, chili powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Roast carrots: Spread carrots in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Prepare hot honey: While the carrots roast, combine honey and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over low heat. Warm gently for 1–2 minutes until just infused (do not boil). Stir in apple cider vinegar if using, then remove from heat.
- Drizzle and serve: Once carrots are done, drizzle with hot honey and serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- You can use rainbow carrots for a colorful presentation.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle with toasted nuts or seeds before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
