Description
These Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots are a delicious and easy side dish featuring tender carrots caramelized with brown sugar and a hint of cinnamon. Perfectly roasted to bring out their natural sweetness, they make a fantastic accompaniment to any meal with a touch of savory seasoning and optional fresh parsley garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or left whole if small
Seasoning and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Season the carrots: In a large bowl, toss the peeled and cut carrots with olive oil, brown sugar, cinnamon if using, salt, and black pepper until they are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Arrange for roasting: Spread the coated carrots out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet to ensure even roasting.
- Roast the carrots: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the carrots for 20-25 minutes. Flip them halfway through cooking to achieve caramelization on all sides, until they become tender and slightly browned.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the roasted carrots from the oven and, if desired, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Using small or baby carrots eliminates the need to cut into sticks.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar based on your preferred sweetness level.
- Cinnamon is optional but adds a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the carrots.
- Flip the carrots halfway through roasting to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice fresh garnish but can be omitted if unavailable.
- These carrots can be prepared ahead and reheated gently before serving.
