Roasted brown sugar carrots are soft, buttery, and coated in a sweet brown sugar glaze as they roast in the oven. This easy vegetable side dish uses just a few simple ingredients and is ready in about 30 minutes. 👇👇
These roasted brown sugar carrots use baby carrots, which makes the recipe faster to prep while still creating sweet, caramelized edges in the oven.
They're perfect for easy weeknight dinners, family-friendly dinners, or holiday meals when you want a vegetable side dish that everyone actually eats.
Why You'll Love These Carrots
These taste almost like dessert, but hey, it's still a vegetable, right? This recipe is a great side dish for quick dinner ideas and simple 30 minute meals.
- Ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners
- No peeling or chopping required when using convenient baby carrots
- Only 5 pantry ingredients, making this a budget-friendly side dish
- Soft, sweet carrots coated in a buttery brown sugar glaze
- Kid-approved vegetable side that even picky eaters enjoy
- Perfect for holidays, family meals, or simple weeknight dinners
"I had guests and everyone wanted the recipe. They were delicious!" - Marlus
Because it uses simple pantry staples and a single baking sheet, this is an easy vegetable side dish for busy weeknight dinners and quick dinner ideas.
Short on time? My air fryer brown sugar carrots give you the same sweet, buttery flavor in under 20 minutes.
Note From Andi
This roasted brown sugar carrots recipe has been a reader favorite for years because it's simple and always turns out soft, sweet, and full of flavor.
I usually use baby carrots since there's no peeling or chopping, which makes this really easy to throw together. They stay tender and sweet as they roast, just pat them dry so the glaze sticks.
You can also use chopped carrots, skip the cinnamon, or add garlic depending on what you like. This is one of those side dishes that works for weeknights or holidays and always gets eaten.
Recipe Ingredients 👇👇
Here's what you'll need to make this easy recipe:
- 1½ lbs baby carrots - Using baby carrots keeps this recipe quick and convenient since there's no peeling or chopping required. You can also use whole carrots if you prefer.
- ¼ cup salted butter, melted - Butter combines with the brown sugar to create the sweet glaze that coats the carrots as they roast.
- ⅓ cup brown sugar - (light or dark)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional) - Adds a warm flavor - but some readers prefer this recipe without it.
- ½ tsp salt - Balances the sweetness and helps bring out the flavor of the carrots.
👉 Tip: Baby carrots hold more moisture than whole carrots, so pat them dry with a paper towel before tossing them with the glaze. This helps the brown sugar mixture coat the carrots better while roasting.
Why I Use Baby Carrots
Baby carrots make this recipe quicker because there's no peeling or chopping required. They roast until tender while the butter and brown sugar caramelize around them.
If you prefer, you can also use chopped whole carrots, which tend to caramelize slightly more because they contain less moisture.
How To Make Brown Sugar Carrots in the Oven 👇👇
STEP 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup.
STEP 2: Mix the glaze
In a large bowl, stir together ¼ cup melted butter, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ½ tsp salt until combined.
STEP 3: Coat the carrots
Pat 1½ lbs baby carrots dry with a paper towel. Add them to the bowl and toss until evenly coated with the brown sugar butter mixture.
STEP 4: Spread on baking sheet
Transfer the coated carrots to the prepared baking sheet and spread them into a single layer so they roast evenly.
STEP 5: Roast the carrots
Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
STEP 6: Serve
Transfer the roasted brown sugar carrots to a serving dish and spoon any extra glaze from the pan over the top.
Recipe Tips
- If you don't like cinnamon, feel free to skip it! Some people loved it in this recipe, while others don't.
- This recipe uses baby carrots, which are moister, so be sure to pat them dry with a paper towel. You can also use regular carrots for a crispier result.
- Spread the carrots out on the baking sheet to help them caramelize and get a crisper texture.
- Feel free to customize the recipe: skip the cinnamon, adjust the brown sugar, or try a sugar-free alternative.
- I also have another popular carrot recipe you might like --> Roasted Honey Garlic Butter Carrots
Recipe Variations
Readers have shared some great variations for this recipe:
- Add fresh garlic or garlic powder for a savory twist
- Replace some brown sugar with maple syrup
- Add ground ginger for extra warmth
- Mix in sweet potatoes for a roasted vegetable blend
- Skip the cinnamon if you prefer a simpler flavor
Baby Carrots vs Regular Carrots
This recipe uses baby carrots because they save time and require almost no prep.
However, you can absolutely use regular whole carrots instead. Simply peel and chop them into sticks or coins before roasting.
Some readers actually prefer using whole carrots because they tend to caramelize slightly better since they contain less moisture than baby carrots.
Both options work well, so feel free to use whichever you have on hand.
Storing Leftovers
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 2-5 days.
- Reheat: Microwave or pop back in the oven at 350°F for 5-8 minutes.
These are great as leftovers-especially tossed into salads or grain bowls!
What People Are Saying:
- "This has become a routine recipe for us. Could not get the hubby to eat carrots til these." - Denise
- "These were delicious, and I don't much care for carrots. I took them to dinner at a friend's house and her husband finished off the entire bowl." - Therese
-See More Recipe Reviews Here
Why This Recipe Is A Reader Favorite
This roasted brown sugar carrot recipe has been saved on Pinterest over 48,000 times, and it continues to be one of the most popular vegetable side dishes readers come back to.
People love this recipe because it's simple, reliable, and turns an everyday vegetable into something special.
The butter and brown sugar create a simple glaze as the carrots roast in the oven, giving them a soft, sweet texture that even picky eaters enjoy.
It's also a great option for people who normally don't love carrots. The sweet glaze and roasted flavor make them taste almost like a treat, which is why many readers say their kids happily eat these.
These carrots are just as perfect for holiday dinners like Thanksgiving or Easter as they are for weeknight meals. They add a simple but flavorful vegetable side to the table without requiring a lot of extra prep.
Watch How To Make Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots 👇👇
See how to roast brown sugar carrots in the oven until they turn tender with caramelized edges and a buttery brown sugar glaze.
Vegetable side dishes like this are great for rounding out easy weeknight dinners. If you're planning a full meal, pairing a simple roasted vegetable with a protein and one additional side keeps dinner balanced without adding extra work.
What To Serve With Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots
These carrots pair well with many easy dinners and family meals.
Serve them alongside hearty mains like Juicy Baked Pork Tenderloin, Sirloin Tip Roast, or Brown Sugar Glazed Ham when you're planning a larger dinner.
They're also great with simple weeknight meals such as Roasted Bone-In Chicken Breasts, especially when paired with sides like Sauteed Green Beans or Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
You could even add warm bread on the table like Garlic Parmesan Knots for a complete family-friendly dinner.
Reader Tips From Pinterest
Readers have shared some helpful tips after making this recipe:
- Some prefer chopped fresh carrots instead of baby carrots for better caramelization
- Many readers skip the cinnamon and still love the flavor
- Adding garlic or ginger creates a savory twist
- A few readers like mixing in sweet potatoes
If you're planning a full meal, you can browse more dinner recipes, explore quick 30 minute meals, or find simple chicken recipes that pair well with vegetable sides like this.
FAQs
Yes. Peel and slice whole carrots into sticks or coins. Fresh carrots often caramelize better because baby carrots contain more moisture.
No. Many readers leave out the cinnamon and the carrots still taste delicious with just brown sugar, butter, and salt.
Baby carrots often contain extra moisture. Pat them dry with a paper towel before roasting and spread them in a single layer so they roast instead of steam.
Yes. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm.
More Carrot Recipes To Try
If you enjoy simple vegetable sides like these roasted brown sugar carrots, there are several other easy carrot recipes that work well for family dinners.
- For sweeter roasted variations, try Baked Honey Cinnamon Carrots, or make a savory version with Honey Garlic Butter Carrots and Garlic Parmesan Baked Carrots.
- If you want something even quicker for weeknight dinners, you can also make carrots in the air fryer with Air Fryer Carrots, or keep it simple with Baked Buttered Carrots.
- For a full sheet pan vegetable side dish, you might also like Roasted Potatoes Beans Carrots, which combines multiple vegetables into one easy pan.
Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs baby carrots - or chopped regular carrots
- ¼ cup salted butter - melted
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon - optional
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, stir together ¼ cup melted salted butter, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ½ tsp salt until combined.
- Pat 1½ lbs baby carrots dry with a paper towel, then add them to the bowl and toss until evenly coated in the brown sugar butter mixture.
- Spread the coated carrots onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer so they roast evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Transfer the roasted carrots to a serving dish and spoon any extra glaze from the pan over the top before serving.
Notes
- Pat baby carrots dry before roasting to help them caramelize
- Spread carrots in a single layer on the baking sheet
- Flip halfway through roasting for even browning
- Use chopped whole carrots for a firmer texture
- Skip cinnamon if you prefer a simpler flavor
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-calculated and meant to be an approximation only.
Adria C says
I ran out of oven room for this recipe. (Bad planning on my part!) So I made them on the stove and they turned out perfect! I cooked on medium/medium low; covered until soft. About 5 minutes before I served them, took off the lid and the sauce turned into a glaze. Chef's kiss!
Vickie says
These was the best carrot recipe ever!!! I’m keeping it in my recipe book. They were so delicious with the mashed potatoes and pot roast I made.
Joy says
Could I make these in the crockpot somehow?
Andi says
You probably could but I haven't tested the recipe. If you were to try it, try adding 1/4 cup broth along with all the ingredients. There needs to be some liquid added when using the slow cooker. You could try to cook on low 4-5hrs or high 2-3hrs or until they're done to your liking. If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
Patricia Patterson says
what did you garnish with?
Andi says
Just some chopped parsley and a sprinkle more cinnamon