Honey-Roasted Carrots with Toasted Sesame and Za'atar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

Sweet roasted carrots glazed with honey, finished with toasted sesame seeds and fragrant za'atar spice for a vibrant Hanukkah side. This Middle Eastern-inspired Hanukkah recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs baby carrots, olive oil, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, peeled baby carrots
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp za'atar spice blend
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, toss 1 lb peeled baby carrots with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until well coated.
2. Step 2: Spread the carrots in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Step 3: Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the carrots are tender and caramelized at the edges.
4. Step 4: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle 1 tbsp za'atar spice and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the hot carrots. Toss gently to combine and serve warm.