Description
Crispy Smashed Carrots is a delightful twist on traditional carrots, offering a caramelized, crunchy texture enhanced with parmesan cheese and garlic powder. This side dish is perfect for adding flavor and crunch to any meal, or serving as a tasty appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Carrots
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into uniform 2-inch pieces
Seasonings & Toppings
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground pepper
- Flake salt, for finishing (optional)
- Extra parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Boil the carrots: Place the peeled and cut carrots into a medium-sized saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook the carrots for about 10 minutes or until fork tender, ensuring they are soft enough to smash but not overcooked.
- Drain and cool: Drain the cooked carrots thoroughly and allow them to cool slightly to handle safely.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even roasting.
- Toss carrots with seasoning: In a medium bowl, combine the cooled carrots with grated parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and coarse ground pepper. Stir well until each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Smash the carrots: Transfer the seasoned carrots to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out in a single layer so they don’t touch. Using the flat bottom of a glass or jar, gently press down on each carrot piece to smash it.
- Roast the carrots: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 20 minutes. Then, remove the sheet and flip each smashed carrot to promote even crisping on all sides.
- Continue roasting until crispy: Return the tray to the oven and roast for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the carrots are crispy, caramelized around the edges, and golden brown.
- Finish and serve: Remove from oven and, if desired, sprinkle with flake salt and extra parmesan cheese for added flavor and texture. Serve warm as a delicious side dish or snack.
Notes
- Ensure carrots are cut into uniform pieces for even cooking and smashing.
- Do not over-boil the carrots; they need to be tender but still hold their shape for smashing.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Flipping the carrots halfway through roasting is key to achieving even caramelization and crispiness.
- Parmesan cheese adds a wonderful umami flavor but can be omitted or substituted with nutritional yeast for a vegan variation.
- These carrots are best served fresh but can be reheated gently in the oven for 5-10 minutes to restore crispiness.
