Most times, recipes that call for steaming carrots can be exhausting. And many assume the vegetable has limited uses and cooking techniques. But when roasted in the oven, carrots get so tender and release an explosive burst of flavors. And with this method, you can prepare the vegetable for use in any recipe you want.
Carrots are pretty easy to cook in the oven and barely require much preparation. Plus, this method gives you so much flexibility and allows you to play with different flavor combos. And you can also use it for baby carrots, except you’ll have to cut down the cooking time.
Carrots Nutrition Facts
Oven-Cooked Carrots Tips
Of course, like every recipe out there, a few things must come to mind when making oven-roasted carrots.
First, consider the flavor profile you hope to accomplish. You can direct the recipe to the sweeter side with ingredients like honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, or even butter. Or you can consider chili powder, paprika, or black pepper if you prefer a hotter, spicier flavor.
Second, you may wish to decide whether or not to peel the carrots before you cook them. Either way, the vegetable will still come out delicious, but the recipe would look cleaner when peeled. But be sure to wash and scrub the carrots before you roast if you’re not peeling them.
Cooking Carrots in the Oven
You can cook carrots to a yummy, crispy tenderness in three ways;
The Simple Way
This technique is the easiest and quickest way to prepare carrots in the oven. Cut the carrots into slices, and pour them into a bowl. Add some olive oil, with some sprinkles of salt and pepper. Toss the sliced carrots in the bowl till the seasonings and oil thoroughly coat the slices. Then spread the pieces on a baking pan and cook in a preheated oven until they’re tender and golden, with a bit of caramelizing on the surface.
The Sweet Way
With this technique, you add a powerful punch to the already sweet flavor of the carrots. What you do is first preheat the oven and then cut the carrots into slices. Next, pour the carrots into a bowl and pour in some honey and melted butter. Toss, put on the pan, and bake in the oven till the honey caramelizes over the carrots. Serve when the carrot slices are fork-tender.
The Spicy Way
If you prefer to add a spicy kick to your vegetables, then you’ll be sold on this method. And what’s sweet about it is it works with different kinds of powdered spices, so your options are extensive. To make spicy oven-cooked carrots, cut them into slices and add some olive oil and salt. Then, sprinkle as many spices as you’d like, and toss in the bowl. Next, spread the carrots on a pan and bake in the oven till they’re crispy and tender. You can use chili powder, black pepper, or even paprika. And you can even combine spices, like chili powder with cinnamon powder.
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Oven-Roasted Carrots (6 Servings)
Ingredients
- Two pounds carrots, washed, peeled, and sliced
- Two tablespoons olive oil
- One tablespoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
- Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Allow the oven to heat up and 425F, and cover a baking pan with parchment paper. Combine the carrots with the seasoning and oil, and toss in a bowl till they’re mixed.
- Spread the carrots on the pan in one layer, and toss in the oven—roast for about 25 to 30 minutes (baby carrots take 18 to 20 minutes). You want the carrots to be fork-tender with a bit of caramelizing on the surface.
- Set the pan down when it’s ready and serve with a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
Another convenient recipe for oven-cooked carrots can be found in this video.