Let’s be honest—everything tastes better with a little bit of bacon, right? If you’ve been hunting for the perfect way to upgrade your veggies, these Baked Carrots with Bacon are about to become your new obsession. This recipe takes simple ingredients and transforms them into a sweet and savory masterpiece, thanks to a sticky maple glaze and a kick of black pepper. Whether you need an easy side dish for a busy weeknight or a crowd-pleaser for a holiday spread, these bacon-wrapped beauties deliver huge flavor with minimal effort.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 35 minutes Servings: 4
Ingredients
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1.5 lbs (24 oz / 680 g) carrots, peeled
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12 slices bacon
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1 tbsp black pepper
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0.33 cup (approx. 3.7 oz / 105 g) maple syrup
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1 pinch parsley
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wrap the bacon slices tightly around the carrots, winding from top to bottom.
- Season evenly with the black pepper and drizzle the maple syrup over the wrapped carrots.
- Bake for 23 minutes until the bacon is crispy and carrots are tender.
- Remove from the oven, top with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Values are estimated per serving.
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Calories: 279 kcal
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Total Fat: 10.4 g
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Saturated Fat: 3.4 g
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Cholesterol: 27 mg
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Sodium: 480 mg
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Total Carbohydrates: 35.6 g
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Dietary Fiber: 4.8 g
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Total Sugars: 24.5 g
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Protein: 10.5 g
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Bacon-Wrapped Carrots
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Choose the Right Bacon: Stick to standard or thin-cut bacon for this recipe. Thick-cut bacon takes much longer to render and crisp up, which might leave you with slightly soggy bacon or overcooked carrots.
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Size Matters: Try to buy carrots that are relatively uniform in thickness. If you have a few very thick carrots, slice them lengthwise in half so they finish cooking at the same time as the smaller ones.
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Avoid the Burn: Maple syrup has a high sugar content and can burn quickly at 400°F. Keep an eye on them during the last 5 minutes. If you want to be extra safe, bake them for the first 10 minutes without the syrup, then brush the glaze on for the second half of cooking.
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Crisp it Up: If the carrots are tender but the bacon isn’t as crispy as you’d like, switch the oven to broil for the last 1–2 minutes. Just watch them closely so the glaze doesn’t char!
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Easy Cleanup: This recipe gets sticky! Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. It makes cleanup instant and saves your pan from caramelized sugar scrubbing.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use baby carrots instead of whole carrots? Yes, you can absolutely use baby carrots. Since they are smaller, you may need to wrap small bundles of 2–3 baby carrots in a single slice of bacon. Check them around the 15–20 minute mark, as they might cook faster than large whole carrots.
How do I make sure the bacon gets crispy? To ensure crispy bacon, use standard or thin-cut bacon rather than thick-cut. If the carrots are cooked but the bacon is still soft, you can switch your oven to “broil” for the final 1–2 minutes. Just watch closely, as the maple glaze can burn quickly.
Can I prep these bacon-wrapped carrots ahead of time? Yes! You can peel the carrots and wrap them in bacon up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator. When you are ready to cook, arrange them on the baking sheet, add the pepper and maple syrup, and bake as directed.
What can I substitute for maple syrup? If you don’t have maple syrup on hand, honey or agave nectar work as excellent substitutes. For a non-liquid alternative, you can sprinkle brown sugar over the bacon before baking to get a similar caramelized finish.
How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the oven or an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–8 minutes. Microwaving is not recommended as it will make the bacon soggy.
Conclusion
There you have it—a side dish that truly steals the show! These Baked Carrots with Bacon prove that you don’t need a complicated ingredient list to create something memorable. The combination of sweet maple glaze, savory bacon, and tender carrots hits every flavor note, making it perfect for holiday dinners or just treating yourself on a Tuesday night. Give this recipe a try, and don’t be surprised when the veggies disappear from the table before the main course!
