Why are my roasted carrots still hard?

Undercook them, and the texture is tough and dense . 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.

What is the GI of roasted carrots?

Cooked carrots have a GI score around 33 . Raw carrots are even lower. So even though carrots contain sugar and carbohydrates, they are digested and absorbed slowly and won't spike blood sugar.

How do I roast carrots Delia?

Next, put the garlic cloves and salt in the mortar, crush to a purée, then whisk in the oil. Now toss this mixture around with the carrots and spices, then spread it out on the baking tray. Pop it into the oven on a high shelf and roast until the carrots are tender when tested with a skewer – 30-40 minutes.

Why won't my carrots soften in the oven?

Make sure your oven is fully preheated, and try not to overcrowd the pan . If the carrots are too close together, they'll steam instead of roast.

Why won't my roast veggies go crispy?

The Oven Temp Is Too Low But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F.

Do carrots spike blood sugar?

A medium carrot contains only 4 grams (g) of net (digestible) carbs and is a low glycemic food. Foods that are low in carbs and low on the glycemic index tend not to have a very large effect on blood sugar levels . Research also suggests that the nutrients in carrots may benefit people with diabetes.

Can you eat too many roasted carrots?

Eating carrots in moderation is good for your health. Eating carrots in excess, however, can cause a condition called carotenemia . This refers to yellowish discoloration of the skin because of the deposition of a substance called beta-carotene that is present in carrots.

Do carrots have more sugar than potatoes?

Because carrots are a root, they're lower in sugar and carbs than tuber vegetables like potatoes.

Why do my carrots stay hard after cooking?

These hemicelluloses dissolve in the heat and steam of cooking, weakening the cell walls and causing the vegetables to soften. But here's the deal – hemicelluloses aren't soluble in acid and therefore won't dissolve if the cooking environment is too acidic .

How do you soften hard carrots?

Boiling or steaming are the best cooking methods to achieve soft carrots . By cooking them in liquid, such as water or vegetable broth, you can infuse more flavor into the carrots and allow them to soften evenly. Avoid dry cooking methods like roasting or sautéing, as they may result in a firmer texture.

Why are my carrots so hard?

There are several things that can cause carrots to go "woody". Environmental factors such as too hot and dry, or too cold and wet, irregular watering, poor drainage or leaving the carrots in the ground for too long .

Why do my carrots keep going soft?

Your carrots might just need a big gulp of water . If you notice that your bag of carrots is bendy, place them in a glass jar or zip-top plastic bag and fill it with water to cover them. Check back in an hour; they should be firming right up.

Parmesan Roasted Carrots Recipe (2024)

4.80 from 5 votes

ByStacie VaughanOn October 3, 2016November 30, 2023Updated November 30, 2023

36 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy.

If you’re planning on serving a selection of veggies this Thanksgiving (or Christmas!), then you’ll adore this parmesan roasted carrots recipe.

The carrots always come out perfectly tender and deliciously golden, making them an ideal accompaniment for everything from roast potatoes to turkey and stuffing. Throw in the fresh thyme and uber-melty parmesan cheese, and it’s easy to see why I load my plate up with these bad boys every year!

And if I’m being honest, this recipe completely changed the game for me on carrots. Believe it or not, I despised carrots until I was around 20 years old. I thought they were “yucky” and refused to eat them even though my dad used to tell me they were great for my eyes. I wear glasses these days, so perhaps I should have listened!

I’ve always preferred my carrots on the softer side, but this recipe allows you to test the consistency of your veggies before turning off the oven. So, if you like your carrots on the crunchy side, simply take them out a few more minutes earlier. But between you and me – softer carrots are the way to go!

Whatever you decide to do, you’re bound to agree that this parmesan roasted carrots recipe is a beautiful and delicious side dish for any family meal.

Why You’ll Love These Parmesan Roasted Carrots

They’re perfectly golden and crispy.
They require so little prep time and are ready in minutes.
They store well and are easy to reheat for round two!
The delicate blend of herbs and parmesan cheese creates a rich and sharp flavor.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Carrots
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Fresh thyme
Parmesan cheese

How to Make Parmesan Roasted Carrots

Step One: Preheat oven to 450F.
Step Two: Grease a medium-sized casserole dish with cooking spray. Add carrots, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme in a bowl and toss to combine.
Step Three: Place in casserole dish.

Step Four: Roast the carrots uncovered for 8 minutes and then stir.
Step Five: Put the carrots back in the oven for an additional 8 to 12 minutes, or until carrots are roasted to your desired tenderness.

Step Six: Remove from oven and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese. Toss to combine. Serve hot.

Equipment Needed

You just need a few pieces of equipment to bring these parmesan-roasted carrots to life.

This post contains affiliate links.

What to Serve with Parmesan Roasted Carrots

Mom’s Simple Stuffing for Turkey
Broccoli Casserole
Cheesy Corn Casserole
How to Roast a Turkey
Company Peas
Stuffing Recipes

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Spread your carrots out on a baking sheet with plenty of space between them. This prevents any of your sticks from overcooking or undercooking.
Don’t forget to toss your carrots properly! You’ll want to make sure every single carrot stick is coated with the mixture of oil, pepper, fresh herbs, and parmesan for an even flavor.
It’s important to stir the carrots halfway through for an even roast and a perfectly crispy exterior.
You don’t need to peel the carrots beforehand. Simply wash the skins to remove dirt and any other nasties. You can peel them if you prefer!
Take the time to chop the carrots evenly. If there’s a huge disparity between the size of each carrot baton, you might be in trouble!

Variations and Substitutions

You can add a small amount of parsley to the mix or sprinkle it on top of your carrots for an extra herby kick!
If you’re looking for something visually interesting, go for carrots with the stems still on (or baby carrots!). You may need to roast them for slightly longer, so bear this in mind.
I prefer using crumbly and grated parmesan cheese for this recipe as it sticks way better to the carrots. If you can only find blocks, it’s best to whizz chunks through the food processor to achieve the same crumbly texture.
For even crunchier carrots, try throwing a few tablespoons of panko breadcrumbs into the mix!
If you enjoy cooking with butter, replace the olive oil in this recipe with an equivalent amount of melted, unsalted butter.

Storage Instructions

These delicious parmesan roasted carrots will last for up to 3 days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container.

Can I Freeze?

You can certainly freeze these parmesan-roasted carrots! Simply place them in freezer bags and store them for up to three months.

It’s best to defrost them overnight in the fridge before reheating them for the best results.

Just be aware that they might not have quite the same crunch as you’ll get straight out of the oven.

Carrot Recipes

Creamy Carrots – These rich and creamy carrots are the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, or a regular weeknight. Anything goes!
Carrot Casserole – You’ll usually find me chowing down on this carrot casserole during the fall and winter months. It features a creamy, cheesy, and buttery filling that’s completely irresistible.
Sweet and Sour Carrots – I adore serving these sweet and sour carrots with chicken or beef dishes as they complement savory eats perfectly!
Cream of Carrot Soup – This velvety smooth cream of carrot soup pairs perfectly with a hunk of crusty bread for those chilly winter nights.
Carrot Loaf – If you’re craving a slightly sweet and flavorful spice cake, then you need to give this incredible carrot loaf a whirl!

You’ll also like One-Pot Chicken and Stuffing.

Follow me on Instagram@simplystacieblog, Facebook atSimply Stacie, TikTok@simplystacierecipesor Pinterest at@simplystacieand let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!

Rate this Recipe

4.80 from 5 votes