What's the best temperature to roast carrots?

Roast carrots on a parchment-lined baking sheet (for easy cleaning) at 400F. This is the ideal temperature as it's hot enough to roast the carrots (not steam), but not so hot it'll burn the sugary coating.

Can you roast maple carrots ahead of time?

Yes! Maple roasted carrots may be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. They are best served room temperature (or warm) so remove from the refrigerator about 1 hour before serving.

Pepitas are pumpkin seeds without the hull. They taste similar to regular pumpkin seeds.

Maple Roasted Carrots with Goat Cheese and Spiced Pepitas

Description

This Maple Roasted Carrots with Goat Cheese and Spiced Pepitas recipe is decadent, simple and a perfect side dish for a special occasion dinner or even a busy weeknight meal. The carrots are tender, slightly sweet and a perfect base for creamy goat cheese and toasted spiced pumpkin seeds.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1/4 cup melted coconut oil (or melted butter or vegetable oil), divided
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish
1/4 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided
1/4 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. ground coriander, divided
1/2 tsp. table salt
2 lb. thin carrots (with stems trimmed, if attached)
1/4 cup pepitas
2 oz. crumbled goat cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Reserve 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in a small bowl and set aside. Add remaining oil to a medium bowl and whisk in maple syrup, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon each cinnamon and coriander, and salt. Whisk until well combined. Reserve 2 tablespoons of this mixture in a small bowl.
Add carrots to prepared baking sheet and drizzle with the maple mixture from the medium bowl. Toss and roll well to coat. Roast in the oven until tender, slightly caramelized and a fork meets a bit of resistance when pierced into the carrots, about 45 minutes. Be sure to toss and roll the carrots every 15 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, add pepitas to the small bowl with reserved 1 teaspoon coconut oil and add remaining 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon and coriander and toss well. Add to a baking sheet and roast for 8 minutes, until toasty. Cool for 10 minutes.
To assemble, add carrots to a platter and drizzle with some of the reserved maple mixture. Top with crumbled goat cheese and toasted pepitas, and drizzle with more maple mixture and drippings from the baking sheet. Garnish with fresh thyme. Serve warm or room temperature.

Notes

To make ahead, roast the carrots then cool at room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Toast the pepitas up to 2 days ahead of time and store at room temperature in an airtight container. When ready to serve, remove carrots from the refrigerator and set aside at room temperature for about 1 hour (or warm in a 350F oven for 10 minutes). Top with goat cheese and pepitas before serving.
If you can't find thin carrots, cut large carrots lengthwise in half or quarters.

Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 45 min.
Category: Sides
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: American