Honey Glazed Roasted Rainbow Carrots (In The Oven!)
on Jan 16, 2024, Updated Apr 27, 2026
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These sweet and savory Honey Glazed Roasted Rainbow Carrots are baked in the oven and seasoned with sumac and ricotta. This version of roasted carrots adds a hint of sumac, a tangy, citrusy, Middle Eastern spice, that pairs really nicely with the carrots. We are also topping with the green carrot tops, so no need to toss them!
It’s sweet, smoky, savory, and pretty from the rainbow carrots! The bias-cut carrots also roast faster, and caramelize on all their edges.
If you’re looking for more carrot recipes, be sure to check out our Pumpkin Carrot Soup, and Apple Carrot Orange Smoothie.
What is Sumac?
Sumac is a popular Middle Eastern spice from the sumac berry, used in a lot of Persian cuisine. You can serve it with ground beef, in salads, over rice, and in this case, we are using the spice to roast carrots.
If you’re looking for more sumac recipes, be sure to check out our Peach Panzanella with Feta and Sumac Dressing, Harissa and Sumac Roasted Chicken, or Sumac Chicken Salad with Feta Basil Dressing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comes together in under 40 minutes with hands-off prep time
- Has fewer than 10 ingredients
- Easy to scale servings and prep ahead
- Make in one sheet pan with minimal prep, and no special equipment
- Sumac adds a tangy, citrusy flavor, and the ricotta adds creaminess
Recipe Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you need to make this recipe, including all our tips and substitutions.
- Rainbow Carrots: We’re going to be peeling our carrots and slicing them in half, vertically, and then in a bias into bite-sized pieces. We are keeping some of the carrot tops for garnish, one of our favorite ways to utilize them without waste. You can also top with fresh parsley if your carrots don’t have the tops.
- Honey: Now for the sweetener; honey. Not only does the honey add sweetness to the carrots, but it also adds a nice flavor profile when roasted. You can also glaze carrots with maple syrup or agave if you want to substitute honey.
- Sumac: Sumac adds a smoky, earthy flavor that perfectly complements our roasted carrots. Given the red, vibrant color of sumac, it also complements the carrots well visually.
- Ricotta: Our favorite thing to pair with these honey and sumac carrots is our homemade ricotta! Although subtle, the combination of the natural flavor and creamy texture creates a perfect balance for our flavorful honey and sumac roasted carrots.
The full list of ingredients with exact quantities can be found on the recipe card below.
Tips and Substitutions
- One single layer: Ensure your carrots are spread out in one single layer to allow for even roasting. If they are too crowded, they will steam rather than roast.
- Bias-cut: Because we are slicing in half and cutting on a bias, the carrots have a chance to really get deep flavors and char in a larger surface area.
- Make This Vegan and Dairy-Free: Remove the ricotta completely, and swap the honey for agave or maple syrup.
- Prep and Reheating: You can prepare and roast this ahead of time. Reheat it in the oven when ready to serve.
- Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
How to Make Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots
Step 1: Slice and season your carrots, tossing until completely combined.
Step 2: Transfer to the oven to roast, flipping halfway.
Step 3: In the meantime, you can make your homemade ricotta, or you can use store-bought ricotta.
Step 4: Transfer to a platter, spreading on your ricotta first, then topping with your roasted carrots and carrot tops.
The full detailed instructions can be found on the recipe card below.
Serving Recommendations
Looking for some ideas to serve with this honey roasted rainbow carrots? We have you covered!
Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots FAQs
Yes! Purple carrots and orange carrots are a little sweeter, yellow carrots are a little more subtle in flavor, and white carrots is even more subtle than yellow. The addition of sumac here, it adds a nice complexity of flavor with the assortment of carrot colors.
Yes, if you plan on using baby carrots for this recipe, we recommend lowering the amount of time in the oven since they’ll cook faster. We’d say check up on them around 15 minutes and see if their fork tender, or at your desired texture.
Yes, you can add additional vegetables, such as parsnips, fennel, or potatoes, to name a few. Cook with other vegetables that have a similar texture so they cook evenly.
More Vegetable Recipes
If you do make this Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots recipe, leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, we would love to hear what you think! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram, we love to see what you’re making! If you’d like to stay in touch and get the latest in your inbox, sign up for our Newsletter. We can also be found on YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Honey Glazed Roasted Rainbow Carrots (In The Oven!)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ to 2 pounds rainbow carrots, about 8 to 12 medium carrots, peeled, halved, sliced on a bias into 2-inch pieces, plus carrot tops for serving
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sumac, plus more for serving
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon juice, for serving
- 1/2 cup ricotta, we are using our Homemade Ricotta recipe
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. On a baking sheet pan lined with parchment, add your prepared carrots. Toss with olive oil, honey, sumac, salt and pepper. Spread evenly in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Transfer to the oven and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, until the carrots are fork tender and charred in places, tossing halfway through.
- While your carrots are roasting, prepare your Homemade Ricotta. Skip to the next step if you are using store-bought ricotta.
- To serve, spread a lather of your ricotta on the bottom of a shallow platter (option to whip the ricotta in a food processor with a drizzling of extra-virgin olive oil for a more smooth ricotta), then top with your sumac carrots.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a sprinkle of sumac, and roughly torn carrot tops.
Notes
- One single layer: Ensure your carrots are spread out in one single layer to allow for even roasting. If they are too crowded, they will steam rather than roast.
- Bias-cut: Because we are slicing in half and cutting on a bias, the carrots have a chance to really get deep flavors and char in a larger surface area.
- Make This Vegan and Dairy-Free: Remove the ricotta completely, and swap the honey for agave or maple syrup.
- Prep and Reheating: You can prepare and roast this ahead of time. Reheat it in the oven when ready to serve.
- Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a fun carrot recipe using rainbow carrots, roasted in sumac and finished over ricotta! Enjoy!