Healthy cinnamon carrots are an easy recipe for healthy glazed carrots. They’re an easy side dish recipe perfect for holiday menus and Thanksgiving dinners to everyday weeknight dinners!
I feel like a broken record lately, but vegetables don’t have to be boring! These healthy cinnamon carrots are one of my favorite vegetable recipes. They’re sweet and tender and have some great notes of flavor from the cinnamon and bright orange citrus. Bonus? They’re a pretty low-maintenance recipe!
How to Make Cinnamon Carrots
It’s pretty simple! You whisk together water, orange juice, cinnamon, and a little honey in a large, wide-brimmed skillet. Add your carrots, bring to a simmer, cover to steam, then take the cover off to allow the liquid to evaporate, creating a delicious lightly sweet cinnamon glaze.
If you want to reduce your prep time, you also can totally use baby carrots instead of slicing larger carrots into coins. Your call, both work the same!
Why are These Cinnamon Carrots Healthier?
Many cinnamon glazed carrot recipes require much larger amounts of added sugar (like a half cup of brown sugar). These cinnamon carrots use the natural sweetness found in diluted orange juice enhanced with a small amount (one tablespoon) of honey. Bonus? Cinnamon is a naturally sweet-tasting spice, so that also creates more palatable sweet flavors.
Cinnamon Carrots Substitutions and FAQs
Can I use baby carrots instead of peeling and slicing big carrots?
Totally. Do what works for you! Big carrots can be a more budget-friendly carrot option, but need to be washed and sliced (lazy pro tip: you don’t have to peel them if you don’t want to!). Baby carrots can sometimes cost a little more due to their added convenience, but the added convenience definitely eliminates at least a few minutes of prep time. Either works!
I don’t have orange juice, what can I use instead?
You can use a fresh orange, freshly squeezed (and if you’re going this route, try adding a little orange zest or a bigger burst of sweet citrus flavor!). I have not tested the recipe with apple juice, but the flavors should work well with an equal 1:1 orange juice: apple juice substitution.
You could use straight water, but you’ll lose some of the additional flavor and mild sweetness the orange juice adds – I don’t really recommend it unless you’re in a total pinch!
I’m a vegan and don’t use honey – what can I use instead?
I’d use maple syrup instead of honey! If you have a favorite vegan sugar or brown sugar, you could try that as well in an equal substitution.
As you can see, these cinnamon carrots are healthy and pretty easy! I make them regularly throughout the whole year as a fun and flavorful way to eat more vegetables. I also am adding them to this year’s Thanksgiving menu! The extra flavor make them a delicious, yet still simple, addition to any holiday menu!
Looking for more easy vegetable side dishes? Try these!
- Prosciutto Green Beans
- 5 Minute Balsamic Thyme Tomato Salad
- Eggplant Pizzas
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Coconut Cauliflower Rice
- Cranberry Crunch Broccoli Slaw
When you make these cinnamon carrots, leave a comment and rate the recipe below. And always snap a pic and share it to social media – don’t forget to tag me (@nutritiontofit and #nutritiontofit). Live well!
Healthy Cinnamon Carrots
Healthy cinnamon carrots are an easy recipe for healthy glazed carrots. They're an easy side dish recipe perfect for holiday menus and Thanksgiving dinners to everyday weeknight dinners!
free from: wheat/ gluten, dairy, soy, egg, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots sliced into coins
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
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In a large, wide-brimmed skillet, whisk together water, orange juice, honey, and cinnamon. Add carrot coins. Cover skillet, turn heat to medium heat, and bring to a simmer.
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Once carrots are simmering, leave covered and continue to simmer 10-12 minutes or until carrots are tender.
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Remove cover and simmer an additional 8-10 minutes, until excess liquid has evaporated leaving the carrots glazed. Stir occasionally.
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Serve immediately. These carrots reheat well and can always be made up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover and refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat until warm (you may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of water if too much evaporated out before) and serve.
This was a great addition to our Friendsgiving we had! Thank you!!
You are so welcome, I’m glad you had a great Friendsgiving!
Carrots are my fav veggie. Def going to try this simple recipe!
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
I love the smell of these cinnamon roasted carrots! They taste and smell delicious!
Thank you, Meme! Something about the orange juice and cinnamon simmering together = sensory perfection!
This reminds me of a recipe my family used to make and I haven’t done in a long time. I’m going to have to make this and be nostalgic!
Thank you for sharing! I love when recipes bring back memories!
I have never had cinnamon with my carrots other than in carrot cake. I was really impressed by the flavor even just on their own!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This is my 4 year olds favorite recipe, he loves carrots, and I love how easy these are to make!
Easy + family-approved is the best! Thank you!