Spicy Harissa Roasted Carrots (Printable Version)

Sweet carrots glazed with harissa and herbs, roasted to tender, caramelized perfection with subtle heat.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or left whole if thin

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1½ tbsp harissa paste
04 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
05 - ½ tsp ground cumin
06 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
07 - ¼ tsp sea salt
08 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnishes

09 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
10 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds or chopped pistachios (optional)
11 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, harissa paste, honey or maple syrup, ground cumin, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.
03 - Add the carrots to the marinade and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
04 - Spread the coated carrots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until tender and edges are caramelized.
06 - Transfer carrots to a serving platter. Sprinkle with chopped herbs and sesame seeds or pistachios, if using. Serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together in under an hour, and most of that is just the oven doing the work.
  • Harissa gives you sophistication without any fussing—it's the shortcut to tasting like you spent all day in the kitchen.
  • They're naturally vegan and gluten-free, so you're never scrambling for substitutes when people with restrictions show up.
02 -
  • Harissa brands vary wildly in heat level—Rose Harissa is milder and sweeter, while other versions can catch you off guard, so adjust in small amounts until you find your sweet spot.
  • Tossing the carrots halfway through actually matters; it ensures even caramelization instead of one side being mushy and the other barely cooked.
03 -
  • Cut your carrots to roughly the same size so they cook evenly—thick sticks are better than mixing thin and chunky pieces.
  • Don't skip the lemon wedges on the table; the acidity is what makes people say yes to seconds.

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