These Maple-Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Carrots are the perfect blend of sweet and savory making them an irresistible side dish for any meal! The natural sweetness of carrots, combined with crispy bacon and a sticky maple syrup glaze, creates a flavorful treat that’s both elegant and comforting. They’re easy to make yet fancy enough to impress at your next gathering.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet & Savory Combo: The crispy, salty bacon pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of carrots and maple syrup.
- Simple Ingredients: Just three main ingredients carrots, bacon, and maple syrup—create a dish that’s packed with flavor.
- Perfect for Entertaining: These bacon-wrapped carrots are a crowd-pleaser, making them ideal for holidays, dinner parties, or even a special weeknight treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 pounds small peeled carrots: Opt for small carrots so they cook evenly with the bacon. Baby carrots or thinly sliced regular carrots also work.
- 1 pound thin-sliced bacon: Thin-sliced bacon crisps up more easily, wrapping the carrots beautifully.
- ¼ cup maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor it adds a wonderful caramelized sweetness to the dish.
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). You want the oven hot enough to crisp up the bacon while cooking the carrots to tender perfection.
2. Wrap the Carrots
Take one slice of thin-sliced bacon and tightly wrap it around each carrot, starting from the thicker end. Try not to overlap the bacon layers too much, as this will ensure that the bacon cooks evenly and crisps up. Continue wrapping until all the carrots are wrapped.
3. Bake the Carrots
Place the wrapped carrots on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows the bacon to crisp all the way around. Bake the carrots in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
4. Glaze with Maple Syrup
Once the bacon is crisp, remove the carrots from the oven. Using a pastry brush, gently coat each carrot with maple syrup on all sides. Be careful not to overdo it you want a light layer that will caramelize in the oven.
5. Finish Baking
Return the maple-glazed carrots to the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes, allowing the glaze to bubble and caramelize. The bacon will become extra crispy, and the syrup will add a glossy, sweet finish to the dish.
6. Serve
Once the carrots are done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. These Maple-Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Carrots are best enjoyed warm, and they make a fantastic side dish or appetizer!
Tips for Perfect Maple-Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Carrots
- Use a Wire Rack: Placing the carrots on a wire rack allows the bacon to crisp up evenly and keeps the carrots from sitting in bacon grease.
- Thinner Carrots: Smaller, thinner carrots work best for this recipe since they cook through at the same time as the bacon.
- Crispier Bacon: If you want extra crispy bacon, you can briefly broil the carrots for 1-2 minutes at the end of the cooking time just be sure to watch closely so they don’t burn.
Customizations and Variations
- Add Herbs: For a savory twist, sprinkle some fresh rosemary or thyme over the carrots before baking.
- Spice It Up: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the maple syrup for a little heat and extra depth of flavor.
- Swap the Maple Syrup: Try using honey or brown sugar for a different kind of sweetness in the glaze.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these Maple-Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Carrots with:
- Roast Chicken or Turkey: These carrots make a delightful side dish for any roasted meat.
- Mashed Potatoes: The sweet, savory flavors of the carrots go perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes.
- Grilled Vegetables: Add more veggies to the mix by serving with grilled asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or a fresh green salad.
Storing and Reheating
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and the bacon crisps up again about 10-15 minutes.
- Freezing: These carrots don’t freeze well due to the bacon’s texture after thawing, so enjoy them fresh!
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~150 kcal per serving
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fat: 11g
Maple-Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Carrots
This Maple-Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Carrots recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer.
Ingredients
2 pounds small, peeled carrots
1 pound thin-sliced bacon
¼ cup maple syrup
Directions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wrap the carrots: Take one slice of bacon and tightly wrap it around each carrot, starting at the thicker end. Ensure the bacon layers do not overlap too much for even cooking.
- Bake the carrots: Place the wrapped carrots on a wire rack placed on top of a baking sheet to allow for even cooking. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the carrots are tender.
- Glaze with maple syrup: Remove the carrots from the oven and carefully brush them with maple syrup on all sides.
- Finish baking: Return the carrots to the oven for an additional 8-10 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize.
- Serve: Once done, serve the maple-glazed bacon-wrapped carrots warm and enjoy this sweet and savory treat!
Final Thoughts
These Maple-Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Carrots are an easy yet impressive dish that balances sweetness with savory flavors. They’re perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or any occasion where you want to serve something a little special. With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, you’ll find yourself making this dish over and over again!