Roasted Carrots with Whipped Ricotta & Hot Honey Recipe
This Roasted Carrots with Whipped Ricotta & Hot Honey recipe offers a deliciously vibrant side dish featuring tender caramelized carrots tossed with warm spices, served atop a creamy, airy whipped ricotta, and finished with a drizzle of sweet and spicy hot honey. It’s a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors that can complement any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots and Seasoning
- 1 lb baby or heirloom carrots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Whipped Ricotta
- 1 cup ricotta
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Toppings and Garnish
- 2 tbsp hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
- Fresh herbs (like mint or parsley), for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Toss Carrots: In a large bowl, combine the baby or heirloom carrots with olive oil, maple syrup, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss thoroughly so each carrot is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Roast Carrots: Spread the seasoned carrots evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping the carrots halfway through cooking to ensure they caramelize evenly and become tender.
- Whip Ricotta: While the carrots roast, place the ricotta cheese, heavy cream, and lemon zest in a food processor or use a hand mixer to whip the mixture until it becomes smooth, light, and airy. Set this whipped ricotta aside for serving.
- Assemble the Dish: Once the carrots are roasted and caramelized, spread the whipped ricotta evenly on a serving platter. Arrange the warm roasted carrots on top of the ricotta layer.
- Add Final Touches: Drizzle the hot honey over the carrots and ricotta for a sweet and spicy finish. Garnish with fresh herbs such as mint or parsley if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute honey for the hot honey if you prefer less heat or don’t have hot honey available.
- For a vegan version, substitute ricotta with a plant-based cheese alternative and use maple syrup without honey.
- Adjust the amount of cumin and smoked paprika to taste for more or less smoky flavor.
- Carrots can be roasted ahead of time and the dish assembled just before serving.
Keywords: roasted carrots, whipped ricotta, hot honey, side dish, easy carrot recipe, roasted vegetable, vegetarian appetizer
