Smashed Carrots – Easy Crispy Roasted Carrots with Garlic, Parmesan & Herbs
Samantha
These Smashed Carrots are roasted until golden and crispy, then topped with garlic, parmesan, and fresh herbs. A quick and easy side dish that’s healthy, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners, vegetarian meals, or holiday spreads.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Modern Comfort
Servings 4 servings
Calories 120 kcal
- 2 lbs carrots whole, peeled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese optional
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or parsley
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Boil carrots: Cook whole carrots in salted water until fork-tender, about 12–15 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
Smash: Place carrots on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use the bottom of a glass or fork to gently smash them flat.
Season: Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle garlic, salt, pepper, and parmesan if using.
Roast: Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, until edges are golden and crispy.
Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve warm.
Secret Tips for the Best Smashed Carrots
1. Use evenly sized carrots: Choose medium carrots that are similar in size so they cook evenly. This helps you get perfectly crispy smashed carrots without some burning while others stay undercooked.
2. Boil before roasting: Parboil the carrots until fork-tender before smashing. This step ensures a soft inside while still allowing you to get that crispy roasted carrot texture in the oven.
3. Smash gently, not flat: Press the carrots just enough to break them open. Over-smashing can cause them to fall apart, but a light smash creates more surface area for garlic, Parmesan, and herbs to stick to.
4. Don’t skimp on olive oil: A generous drizzle of olive oil makes all the difference. It enhances the flavor and ensures those smashed carrots crisp up beautifully in the oven.
5. Finish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle parsley, thyme, or rosemary right before serving. This not only boosts flavor but makes these easy garlic Parmesan smashed carrots look gorgeous on the table.Keyword air fryer smashed carrots, crispy smashed carrots, easy smashed carrots recipe, garlic butter smashed carrots, healthy smashed carrots side dish, honey glazed smashed carrots, oven baked smashed carrots, parmesan smashed carrots, smashed baby carrots, smashed carrots for meal prep, smashed carrots for thanksgiving, smashed carrots recipe, smashed carrots with herbs, smashed roasted carrots, vegetarian smashed carrots side dish
