Maple Harissa Roasted Carrots

Maple Harissa Roasted Carrots, a simple roasted carrots side dish recipe with a sweet and spicy maple syrup and harissa sauce. Only five ingredients and under 30 minutes!

Carrots get a bad rap as a boring vegetable. Yes, everyone knows they’re full of vitamin A and good for eyesight, but in general they’re not the sexiest vegetable on the block right now (I’m looking at you kale and cauliflower).

However, this sweet and spicy harissa roasted carrots recipe is here to change that! Here’s why this dish will change your mind:

• It’s full of flavor. Carrots have an inherently rich taste when roasted (it’s science!), but add the smoky spice of harissa and a touch of sweetness from maple and the depth of flavor is next level.
• It’s crazy easy. With only five ingredients and under 30 minutes total prep time, this simple carrot side dish is perfect for busy nights or fancy dinners alike.
• It’s super versatile. On its own as a side dish or used as a salad or bowl topper, the possibilities are endless for this recipe.

Ready to learn how to make this 5-ingredient harissa roasted carrots with maple? Let’s do it!

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🌶 How to make harissa roasted carrots (step-by-step photos)

1️⃣ Step One: Wash and cut carrots

First, wash and peel carrots, trim off the stem, and slice. However, you do not have to peel carrots if they have been washed well.

👉 How should I cut the carrots? You can cut carrots any way you’d like — sliced into rounds, strips, or even simply cut in half. For this recipe we cut carrots “on the bias,” or sliced diagonally.

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2️⃣ Step Two: Prepare the sweet harissa sauce

In a small mixing bowl, add harissa, maple syrup, and a small amount of water. Whisk well to create the sweet harissa sauce and set aside.

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3️⃣ Step Three: Roast carrots until brown

Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil.

When oil is heated, add carrot slices to the skillet and cook until they begin to soften and become brown, about 7-10 minutes. Toss carrots with a spatula every few minutes to brown them on all sides.

👉 Should I roast the carrots in the pan or oven? We pan roasted the carrots in the this recipe, however you can alternatively roast the carrots in the oven on a sheet pan at 400 degrees F for about 15-20 minutes, tossing to brown on all sides.

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4️⃣ Step Four: Add harissa sauce

When the carrots are browned on all sides, pour the sweet and spicy harissa sauce into the pan and toss to coat the carrots completely. Cook 1-2 minutes more, or until the sauce has thickened.

👉 If cooking in the oven: Remove the pan from the oven and pour the sauce on the carrots, tossing to coat the carrots completely. Put the sheet pan back in the oven and cook 1-2 minutes more, or until the sauce has thickened.

To finish, remove carrots to a plate and top with a sprinkle of flaked sea salt and fresh herbs or cumin seeds (optional). Then enjoy!

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❓ Recipe + ingredient questions

What type of carrots are best for roasting? Any type of carrots will be delicious roasted. We prefer to roast larger carrots like Tendersweet and Touchon carrots, but when we want a good variety of colors we choose Kaleidoscope carrots.

Can I use another sweetener besides maple syrup? Yes! While we love the sweet taste of maple with smoky harissa, you can also use agave syrup or any type of granulated sugar you prefer (we like organic brown sugar or coconut sugar).

Where can I find harissa? We are partial to the harissa sauce from Trader Joe’s, but because harissa has become popular it can be found at most grocery stores. If you’d like to order it online we suggest Mina’s Harissa from Thrive Market (affiliate links).

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🥕 More roasted carrot recipes

Looking for more simple roasted carrot recipes? Try Roasted Carrots and Zucchini, Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots, Roasted Carrots and Sweet Bell Peppers, and Roasted Green Beans and Carrots.