Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots

This Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe is caramelized to perfection! Seasoned with a little salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme, naturally gluten-free, with a paleo and dairy-free option. These rainbow carrots are easy to make in less than 45 minutes, making this the perfect recipe for weeknight dinners and holiday meals.

Honey roasted rainbow carrots are one of the easiest most delicious side dish recipes that can be served for any special occasion or weeknight meal. Simple and yet elegant, these roasted carrots are caramelized to perfection creating bringing out their natural sweetness. That combined with a touch of honey and fresh herbs give this colorful side dish so much flavor.

You are going to love the simplicity of this recipe, it is our favorite way to prepare roasted carrots! Even picky eaters in your house will be asking for a second helping.

Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots Ingredients

This easy whole roasted rainbow carrots recipe is made with simple ingredients. It's one of our favorite healthy recipes!

• Rainbow Carrots: Fresh rainbow carrots are the main ingredient in this recipe. Often you will see them labeled as "rainbow carrots," or "multicolored carrots."
• Butter: Melted unsalted butter, vegan butter, ghee, or Butter Flavored Coconut Oil works well in this recipe. You could even use brown butter for more of a caramel-like nutty flavor.
• Oil: The oil in this recipe helps carmelized the carrots at high heat. I love using this garlic-infused olive oil, but If you can’t find an infused oil you can use regular extra-virgin olive oil and add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder to the recipe. Coconut oil and avocado oil will also work too.
• Honey: For added sweetness, the honey gives these carrots the best flavor and helps caramelize the carrots. You can replace the honey with real maple syrup for a vegan option.
• Garlic Powder: A pinch of garlic powder gives this recipe balances the savory-sweet notes.
• Salt: Salt helps bring out all of the flavors, and balances the sweetness.
• Black Pepper: Black pepper gives these carrots a hint of spice.
• Thyme: For best results use fresh thyme! You could also use fresh rosemary or chopped parsley.

How To Make Honey Roasted Carrots

This easy recipe for honey-roasted carrots is absolutely delicious! Simple, and ready to make in under an hour's total time!

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet pan with aluminum foil and set it aside.
2. Peel and diagonally cut the whole carrots into 3-4 pieces, depending on the size and thickness of the carrot. Each piece should be around 1"-1.5" in length. For thicker carrots, cut the pieces in half to promote even cooking. Place the carrots in a large bowl.
3. In a small glass bowl add the remaining ingredients and microwave for 15 seconds, or until fully melted. Pour the honey butter sauce directly over the carrots, and toss until the carrots are fully coated.
4. Spread the carrots out evenly on the baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 20 minutes, flip the carrots, then roast another 20 minutes ( 40 minutes total).
5. Remove the carrots from the oven and garnish them with a little bit more thyme. Serve.
6. Store any leftover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do rainbow carrots taste different than regular carrots?

The taste between regular orange carrots and rainbow carrots is very subtle and really only noticed when eaten raw. Overall, these colorful carrots roasted taste very similar to orange carrots, therefore you shouldn't notice a difference.

What Do Rainbow Carrots Taste Like?

The yellow and white carrots tend to be a bit sweeter while the purple carrots have more of a peppery taste, similar to a radish. Depending on where you get your carrots also makes a big difference in their flavor. Fresh garden carrots hold a stronger more earthy flavor while those in the grocery store tend to be a bit milder.

What is the Best Way to Cut Whole Carrots?

You want to make sure you have a sharp knife to help promote easy cutting. I like to cut the whole carrots into thirds or fourths diagonally, depending on the size of the carrot. This gives them an aesthetic look. Each piece cut should be about 1"-1.5" in length. From there, cut the thicker carrots in half for overall even cooking.

Tips For the Best Oven Roasted Roasted Rainbow Carrots

1. For Reheating: These easy roasted rainbow carrots are best served warm, right out of the oven. They can however be reheated in the microwave until they warmed through, prior to serving.
2. Don't Forget to Flip The Carrots: Flipping the carrots halfway through the cooking time will help ensure each side bakes evenly.
3. Fresh is Best: Make sure to use fresh carrots for the best results.
4. You Can Use Any Type of Carrot: Rainbow carrots are quite the statement piece but if you can not find them, regular whole orange carrots or even baby carrots are also great options.
5. Garlic Infused Olive Oil: I love using this infused extra virgin olive oil for a subtle garlic flavor. It also happens to be low-fodmap friendly.

For Other Easy and Delicious Sides, Click The Links Below:

• Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Roasted Parsnips
• Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Corn Casserole 
• Easy Gluten-Free Stuffing
• Green Bean Casserole (Paleo)
• Brown Butter Mashed White Sweet Potatoes