Holly's Homestead — Recipe
Honey-Roasted Carrots
A simple side made for a homegrown carrot glut
DIFFICULTY Easy
COURSE Side Dish
CUISINE Australian
COURSE Side Dish
CUISINE Australian
Prep
10 min
Cook
35 min
Total
45 min
Serves
4
Freezes well
No
A batch this size may need an extra 5-10 minutes of simmering to thicken properly - there's more liquid to reduce relative to the pot's surface area.
01Ingredients
- 1000g carrots, peeled and cut into batons
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
02Method
- Preheat oven to 200C. Toss carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking tray in a single layer.
- Roast for 20 minutes, turning once, until starting to soften and colour.
- Drizzle honey over the carrots and toss to coat evenly.
- Return to the oven and roast for a further 10-15 minutes until tender and caramelised.
- Scatter with thyme leaves and serve warm.
03Notes & substitutions
- Maple syrup works well in place of honey.
- Swap thyme for rosemary, or use both together.
- Add a pinch of cumin or smoked paprika for a different flavour direction.
- Vegetarian and vegan as written (with maple syrup).
04Common mistakes
- Adding honey too early — it burns over the full roasting time; add it partway through instead.
- Cutting carrots unevenly — different sizes cook at different rates, leaving some mushy and others hard; aim for even batons.
- Overcrowding the tray — carrots need space to roast rather than steam; use two trays if needed.
05Storage & leftovers
Fridge
Airtight container, up to 4 days.
Freezer
Not recommended - carrots lose their texture.
Reheating
Hot oven to re-crisp - microwaving makes them soft.