These Easy Instant Pot Glazed Carrots are my go-to holiday side dish. Made with just 8 ingredients in under 25 minutes, they’re sweet, buttery, and always a crowd-pleaser. You’ll definitely be reaching for seconds!
I used to make honey-glazed carrots on the skillet for years, but once I started making Instant Pot carrots, there was no going back. It’s so much easier, more consistent, and gives me perfectly tender glazed carrots every single time.
The Instant Pot does the hard work for me. Only 2 minutes of pressure cooking, plus 8-10 minutes roasting for that perfect glaze. If you’re wondering why the Instant Pot carrots recipe says 25 minutes? Most of that is just the pressure build-up time and release. Something we often forget to account for, especially when cooking for the holidays.
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Sandhya's Top Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Glazed Carrots
- Roast for sweetness. After pressure cooking, roast carrots 10 minutes to caramelize and bring out natural sweetness.
- Don’t overcook. Pressure cook on HIGH for just 2 minutes with Quick Pressure Release. Overcooking makes mushy carrots.
- Check if steaming. For stovetop or steaming, test with a fork—they should be tender but firm. See my Honey Glazed Carrots recipe for stovetop tips.
- Use fresh ingredients. Good-quality butter, maple syrup, and fresh carrots make all the difference.
- Finish with a sprinkle of herbs, a dash of sea salt, or a touch of citrus zest elevate this holiday side dish.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Carrots: I use baby carrots or Chantenay carrots for the best texture and sweetness. You could also use regular carrots and cut them into bite sized pieces as I do for air fryer carrots.
- Unsalted Butter: dairy or dairy-free options are fine too.
- Maple Syrup: I use high-quality Canadian maple syrup. If you prefer, honey or brown sugar works as a 1:1 substitute.
- Garlic: Garlic powder works best in this recipe; fresh garlic can sometimes overpower the delicate glaze.
- Spices: I love a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the warmth and sweetness of the carrots.
How to Make Instant Pot Glazed Carrots?
Step 1: Add 1 cup of water to the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Place carrots in the steamer basket.
Step 2: Place the lid, turn the vent to sealing. Pressure Cook High for 2 minutes, followed by quick release.
Tip: Check with fork, if the carrots are fork-tender.
Step 3: Press Saute and add butter, maple syrup.
Step 4: Add Instant Pot carrots and coat with the glaze. Add the spices, salt and pepper and roast for a total of 8-10 minutes.
Add a garnish of your favourite herbs and serve.
Serving
These Instant Pot glazed carrots make a beautiful holiday side dish and pair effortlessly with classic Christmas mains. I often serve them alongside favourites like Dauphinoise Potatoes, Whole Roasted Cauliflower, or a cosy Christmas Vegetable Gratin.
They also sit perfectly on the table with Smashed Potatoes, or even a simple yellow pilau rice.
How to Store Them?
Store leftover Instant Pot glazed carrots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
They also freeze well. Place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and thaw before reheating.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes! Just cut them into even-sized pieces so they cook uniformly and come out perfectly tender.
If prepping ahead, make them a day in advance, store in an airtight container in the fridge, and reheat on the stove with 2 tablespoons of butter.
Not really. You can also place the carrots on the trivet if you prefer. They’ll cook either way perfectly.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the carrots in an oven-proof baking dish and drizzle with a mixture of melted butter, maple syrup, garlic, and a pinch of nutmeg. Toss well to coat all the carrots evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, turning the carrots halfway through (around 20 minutes).
For slightly caramelised edges, bake a few minutes longer until golden and tender.
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (356°F). Toss the raw carrots with melted butter, maple syrup, garlic, and a pinch of nutmeg until evenly coated.
Place the carrots in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8–12 minutes, shaking or stirring halfway through, until tender and slightly caramelised at the edges.
More Easy Instant Pot Vegetable Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 lb baby carrots or chantenay carrots scrubbed and trimmed {454g }
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoon maple syrup {60ml}
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg Powder
- 1 cup Water {250ml}
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
Garnish (Optional)
- Parsley
Instructions
Pressure Cook Carrots
- Pour 1 Cup of water to the instant pot insert. Place the carrots inside the steamer basket and place it inside the instant pot insert. Pressure Cook at HIGH PRESSURE for 2 minutes, followed by QPR.
- Fork test the carrots to see if they are tender.
- Remove the steamer basket with carrots and allow the water to drain and set it aside.In the meanwhile, discard the water in the instant pot insert.
Glaze the Carrots
- Press SAUTE button. Once the indicator beeps HOT, add butter. Allow it melt and add maple syrup.
- Add Carrots and saute gently until well coated with the glaze. Allow the carrots to roast for 5 minutes without moving around much.
- Now add garlic powder, nutmeg powder, salt & pepper to taste. Gently mix and rotate all the carrots. Allow the glazed carrots to roast for another 5 minutes until all the glaze sticks to the carrots.
- Season with more salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with Parsley.Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy the glazed carrots with your main dish.
Video
Notes
Expert Tips:
- Roast for sweetness. After pressure cooking, roast carrots for 8-10 minutes to caramelise and bring out natural sweetness. You want the glaze to coat the carrots well.
- Don’t overcook. Pressure cook on HIGH for just 2 minutes with Quick Pressure Release. Overcooking makes mushy carrots.
Dannii says
What a great way to use the instant pot. These carrots look amazing.
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Oh yes, Instant Pot is simply the best for a lot of dishes just like this glazed carrots and roast potatoes.
Andrea Metlika says
Such an easy to make and flavorful side dish. It is perfect for my family.
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Instant Pot is my go-to gadget for a quick and easy side dish, just like this Maple Glazed carrots. It's perfect to feed a crowd or even for occasions like Easter and Thanks giving.
Laura says
I do have a pressure cooker and will definitely try to make them. They look delicious
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Absolutely.. Do try Glazed Carrots in your pressure cooker. The recipe comes together quickly.
Biana says
I love that you are using Instant Pot for this, and carrots sound so flavorful with all the spices! Will be making them soon.
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker speeds up the process of cooking multifold. They are so easy to make too.
Lilly says
The flavor of these carrots is incredible! Thanks for the recipe!
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Glazing carrots with maple syrup adds delicious flavors. You can use Brown Sugar or Honey too.