How long to roast carrots at 400

Q: How do you soften roasted carrots?

Overcook them, and theyre dry and wrinkled. The secret is to soften the carrots slightly by boiling them briefly before roasting. The texture will be firm-tender with just the right amount of caramelization on the outside.

Table of Contents Show

Ingredients
Directions
Nutrition Facts
WHY ROAST CARROTS
REUSING, STORING, AND FREEZING
SAVORY ROASTED CARROTS
SPICY ROASTED CARROTS
EASY BASIC ROASTED CARROTS RECIPE
Perfectly Roasted Carrots
Should I peel carrots before roasting?
How do you soften roasted carrots?
How do you keep carrots from shrinking when roasting?
Can I freeze roasted carrots?

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions Checklist

Step 1
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Step 2
Why? Cranking up the oven temperature caramelizes the vegetables' outer layer. If too high, the interior won't fully cook; if too low, the vegetables won't brown well. Roasting temperatures will range between 375° for larger items and 450° for smaller items.
Step 3
Scrub carrots, and dry well; peel, if desired. Why? The goal is a dry roasting environment. Excess moisture can make outer surfaces mushy and inhibit browning. Peeling is a matter of choice: Some peels taste bitter.
Step 4
Arrange carrots in a single layer, well spaced on a baking sheet. Why? Roast similar types and sizes of vegetables together so everything cooks at the same rate. To encourage caramelization, make sure each vegetable sits directly on the sheet pan, and allow room for heat to circulate.
Step 5
Drizzle with oil, turning to coat all over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Step 6
Why? A light coating of oil promotes browning and prevents sticking. But go easy: Too much oil will just soak into porous vegetables, or pool and "fry" nonporous ones. Avoid using butter, which can burn.
Step 7
Tightly cover pan with foil. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Uncover and return pan to oven; bake an additional 18 minutes or until carrots are tender, turning once.
Step 8
Why? Covering the pan creates a mini oven within the oven and speeds up roasting. It's essential to remove the foil early on to prevent buildup of steam from the vegetables' own juices.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

70 calories; fat 2.6g; saturated fat 0.4g; mono fat 1.7g; poly fat 0.4g; protein 1g; carbohydrates 12g; fiber 3g; sodium 204mg; calcium 41mg; sugars 6g.

Mmm, crispy, brown, caramelized edges and a tender orange flesh… There is just nothing better than delicious, perfectly roasted carrots. This clever little root vegetable is so versatile, it can find its way into just about any type of cuisine!

One of the best qualities of the carrot is its ability to fit in perfectly in just about any dish. Make them sweet, make them savory, or make them spicy! By roasting them in the oven, you'll bring out the very best flavor the carrot has to offer, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Yummm.

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Not only are carrots culinary rockstars… they are a grocery budget's best friend! Carrots are SO cheap and will stay fresh in your fridge for a very long time. Delicious, homemade, versatile, AND cheap?? That is a shelf cooking WIN!

WHY ROAST CARROTS

There are many different ways to cook a carrot, but none as good as simply roasting. Roasted carrots are satisfyingly soft and sweet and literally just melt in your mouth! Also, cooking vegetables with dry heat, like roasting, helps the vegetables retain more of those beneficial nutrients.

They make the perfect accompaniment to a yummy homemade ham and these scalloped potatoes, or this quick and easy Italian cream cheese chicken. Okay… who's inviting us to dinner??

REUSING, STORING, AND FREEZING

Double and freeze this recipe to have the tastiest roasted carrots ready to eat, even on those days when you just don't feel like cooking. It's okay… we've all been there! Simply freeze in a freezer bag and store until you're ready eat. When you want to reheat them, thaw first, then roast them just like you did when you first cooked them. Voila!

If you don't want to freeze them, you can even put those leftover roasted carrots to good use by adding them to a pot of soup. That roasted flavor will add SO much depth!

Can you believe such a humble root vegetable like the carrot can be so versatile in the kitchen and so unbelievably delectable!? Well, roasting isn't just a great way to cook carrots… you can cook just about ANY vegetable like that with great results. Broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, green beans, mushrooms, potatoes…

Cooked carrots have a phenomenal sweetness due to the natural sugars that are released and broken down during the roasting process. It only makes sense to play into that natural sweetness by adding honey and cinnamon for a delicious, healthy indulgence! Trust us, it's soooo good.

Begin by cutting your carrots into 1-2 inch slices then coat the carrots in olive oil and spread out flat on a sheet pan. Season with salt, pepper, and cinnamon, then drizzle with ¼ cup of honey. Roast at 400°F for 30-40 minutes or until soft throughout. Double the batch if you want leftovers because these sweet roasted carrots are so good, there won't be any left!

SAVORY ROASTED CARROTS

Sweet carrots are great… but savory roasted carrots, there's just something about them. Pairing that sweet natural flavor with savory herbs like oregano and thyme makes for a match made in culinary heaven. Yeah… it really is that tasty.

To make your roasted carrots savory, chop and coat in olive oil just like before. Now, take your garlic, oregano, and thyme and toss onto the carrots evenly. Don't forget the salt and pepper! Presto change-o… SAVORY roasted carrots that are just screaming for a pot roast.

SPICY ROASTED CARROTS

Feeling a little wild in the kitchen today? Take these regular roasted carrots and turn them into a spicy kick. Start with the same chopped and oil-coated carrots, then toss them with salt, pepper, chili powder, and ground cinnamon. Yes, it sounds strange, but just DO IT! The amount of chili powder will determine the spicy factor, so sprinkle wisely! Serve with enchiladas or Mexican-style lasagna roll ups!

EASY BASIC ROASTED CARROTS RECIPE

Alright, here's the easiest recipe, ever! Such a perfect way to get some healthy nutrients into the whole family. Even the picky eaters!

Perfectly Roasted Carrots

Carrots are the best side to go with any dish! Sweet, savory or spicy, we've got the recipe for you!

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

2 lbs carrots
2 Tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt
Pepper to taste

FOR SWEET ROASTED CARROTS

½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ cup honey

FOR SAVORY ROASTED CARROTS

2 cloves minced garlic
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp thyme

FOR SPICY ROASTED CARROTS

½ – 1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon

Peel and cut carrots into 1-2 inch slices.
Coat with olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Add other chosen ingredients.
Bake on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan at 400°F for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown on the edges and soft throughout.

Double or triple this recipe and freeze the leftovers! Allow to cool and add meal-sized portions to freezer bags and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat at 400°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Keyword vegetables, veggies

So great, right?! They'll turn out delicious every time and they're crazy good leftover.

Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below. We want to hear from you!

Looking for more delicious recipes to try?

Make this amazing chocolate bundt cake to wow at your next meal! No one will ever guess it came from a box!
Need something fresh to round out your meal? Try this incredible strawberry salad and homemade poppy seed dressing!
Stop struggling to get your kids to eat and learn to meal prep things they'll actually like!

Happy roasting!

Should I peel carrots before roasting?

Do You Have to Peel Carrots for Roasting? I prefer to peel my carrots before roasting but it is not required. Peeling the carrots gives them a cleaner appearance. If you choose not to peel, scrub them with a veggie brush to make sure you get rid of any dirt or debris before cooking.

How do you soften roasted carrots?

Overcook them, and they're dry and wrinkled. The secret is to soften the carrots slightly by boiling them briefly before roasting. The texture will be firm-tender with just the right amount of caramelization on the outside.

How do you keep carrots from shrinking when roasting?

If you try to roast them through in the oven 100% of the way, you end up with shriveled, wrinkled remains. Instead, I find it's much better to par-cook them in salted water, since they'll tenderize without shrinking.

Can I freeze roasted carrots?

Yes, you can freeze carrots that have been roasted, sautéed, mashed, or made into soups. Transfer these preparations to freezer bags or containers, leaving a couple inches of headspace to allow for expansion in the freezer. Most recipes can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.