Chili Roasted Carrots with Avocado Cilantro Dressing

Roasting carrots with a little chili powder creates the perfect balance with the natural sweetness of carrots! Our recipe for Roasted Carrots is one of the most-requested recipes in our house. These savory carrots are so addicting, especially when drizzled with Avocado Cilantro Dressing! 

One of the best ways to turn veggie haters into veggie lovers is roasting! Many times steamed vegetables come out mushy and flavorless, but roasting vegetables gives them a delicious flavor and excellent texture that we cannot get enough of. Chili Roasted Carrots are one of our favorite side dishes! The little bit of spice really shines on top of sweet orange carrots and we always make them with a side of Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing for drizzling or dipping.

What Kind of Carrots Are Best for Roasting?

All fresh whole carrots are great for roasting. We personally are not fans of roasting baby carrots, but maybe you are . . . Let us know in the comments below! You can sometimes find fresh carrots with the stems attached (winter carrots) in the vegetable section of your grocery store, which are slightly sweeter than bagged carrots. For a special treat and a beautiful presentation try also rainbow carrots. You do not have to roast carrots whole, they can be sliced or cut into sticks as well.

How to Cut Carrots into Sticks

We have found that the best roasting takes place when the carrots are cut into thick, uniformly-sized sticks. This ensures even cooking throughout the entire pan (and gives you delicious, perfectly even flavor in every bite!). Our preference is to peel the carrots and cut them in half lengthwise and then cut each half into 2-3 even pieces depending on the thickness.

Ingredients to Make Roasted Carrots

• Carrots. Whole carrots are preferred for our roasted carrot recipe.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You could use pats of butter instead, but it does burn easily and olive oil will not burn. Avocado oil is a great choice as well.
• Salt. To taste.
• Spices. We just used chili powder, but you might enjoy trying thyme, garlic powder, parsley, black pepper, sumac, za'atar, or other fresh herbs.
• Avocado Cilantro Dressing

How Long Do You Roast Carrots?

Place cut carrots on a baking sheet in a single layer, drizzle with olive oil and spices, and roast at 400ºF for 35 minutes until you can easily pierce the carrot with a fork. Bigger, uncut, or whole carrots will take closer to 45 minutes or even an hour. Once the carrots are perfectly roasted and fork tender, toss them with Avocado-Cilantro Dressing or one of our other delicious green sauces (see list below)! This is the perfect finishing touch that makes your dish feel extra special.

Tips for Making Roasted Carrots

• Line your sheet pan with parchment paper. Clean-up will be so much easier!
• If you are in a hurry, thin slices will cook faster.
• Add a drizzle of honey or pure maple syrup for added sweetness.
• Store Leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
• You can use this same recipe with sweet potatoes cut into sticks.

What to Serve with Roasted Carrots

You may want to try one of our other delicious green sauces like Avocado Crema, our piquant Cilantro Sauce (paired with yummy Stuffed Poblano Peppers), our favorite Avocado Tahini Cream (perfect with veggie burgers) which is another great dressing for roasted carrots, potatoes, and more, our Spicy Yemenite Schug, which will brighten your homemade hummus or corn salad, our Argentinian Chimichurri Sauce and let's not forget about a classic Pesto Sauce.

More Carrot Recipes You May Enjoy

• The Best Moroccan Carrot Salad
• Coconut Ginger Carrot Soup
• Basmati Rice with Carrots and Raisins
• Carrot and Parsnip Vegan Latkes
• Passover Coconut Ginger Carrot Rice
• Quinoa with Carrots and Raisins
• Roasted Rainbow Carrots
• Pickled Fennel and carrots

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