Crispy Smashed Carrots with Garlic, Smoked Paprika, and Parmesan Recipe
Crispy Smashed Carrots are a creative and flavorful vegetable side dish that transforms ordinary boiled carrots into a crispy, golden, and savory delight. This recipe involves boiling the carrots until tender, smashing them to increase surface area, then roasting with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Parmesan cheese until caramelized and crisp. Garnished with fresh parsley, these smashed carrots offer a delicious contrast of tender interiors and crunchy edges, making them a perfect low-calorie accompaniment or a standalone vegetarian treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into thick rounds
Seasonings & Toppings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for roasting.
- Boil carrots: Place the carrot rounds in salted boiling water and cook for 10–12 minutes until they are fork-tender but still hold their shape. Drain and let them cool slightly to make handling easier.
- Smash carrots: Arrange the cooked carrots on the prepared baking sheet. Using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, gently press down on each carrot round to flatten it to about half its original thickness, increasing surface area for crisping.
- Season and oil: Drizzle the flattened carrots evenly with olive oil, then sprinkle garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper on top for flavor.
- Add Parmesan: Evenly sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the carrots, helping create a crispy, golden crust as they roast.
- Roast carrots: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping the carrots halfway through cooking to ensure both sides become crispy and golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve the carrots hot to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Do not overcook the carrots while boiling, as they can become too soft and difficult to smash properly.
- Allow carrots to cool slightly before smashing for better control and texture retention.
- Use a generous amount of olive oil to help the seasonings adhere and to achieve crispiness.
- Flip the carrots halfway through roasting to crisp both sides evenly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes rather than microwaving to maintain crispiness.
- For a vegan version, substitute Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or a plant-based cheese alternative.
Keywords: smashed carrots, crispy carrots, roasted carrots, vegetable side dish, Parmesan carrots, healthy side, vegetarian, gluten free
