Sweet Honey-Glazed Slow Cooker Carrots: Tender & Flavorful

These slow cooker glazed carrots are an easy side dish that’s simple enough for busy weeknights and elegant enough for holiday dinners.

These candied carrots are coated in brown sugar, butter, honey, and cinnamon, then slowly cooked until tender and flavorful. The result is sweet, melt-in-your-mouth carrots the whole family will enjoy.

I love both butter roasted carrots and Instant Pot glazed carrots, so I wanted a reliable crockpot carrots recipe for times when I need the oven for other dishes. I’ve tested this with honey and with maple syrup; both work well, though my family prefers the honey for its balanced sweetness.

I tested both sliced carrots and baby carrots; either works, though baby carrots are quicker since they don’t need slicing. The tender carrots and sweet glaze pair perfectly with roasted meats, holiday mains, or a simple weeknight dinner. Using the slow cooker also frees up oven space, which is especially helpful on busy holidays.

Crockpot Glazed Carrot Ingredients

Quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need. Exact measurements and full instructions are in the recipe card below.

• Baby carrots or whole carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch diagonal pieces
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Kosher salt
• Honey (maple syrup can be used instead if you prefer)
• Butter, cubed (salted or add salt if using unsalted)

You’ll also want a 6-quart crock pot or similar slow cooker for best results.

How to Make Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots

1. Prepare the carrots: If using baby carrots, rinse and pat dry, discarding any that look off. For whole carrots, wash, peel, and slice into 1/2-inch diagonal pieces.
2. Place the carrots in the crockpot.
3. Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt over the carrots and drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
4. Toss or stir to coat the carrots evenly with the sugar mixture.
5. Top with cubes of butter spread over the carrots.

6. Cover the crockpot.

Slow cook on High for 3 hours or Low for 5–6 hours.

7. Stir gently about every hour to keep the glaze coating the carrots evenly.
8. When the carrots are fork-tender, remove them with a slotted spoon and transfer to a serving bowl.

Thicken the Brown Sugar Glaze

1. Carefully scrape the cooking liquid and melted sugar into a small saucepan using a rubber spatula.
2. Simmer the glaze over medium-low heat for 5–10 minutes, stirring until it thickens to your desired consistency. For a thicker glaze, cook a little longer, but watch closely so it doesn’t harden into caramel.
3. Either pour the finished glaze over the carrots on a serving dish or return the carrots and glaze to the crockpot set to “Warm” until ready to serve.

You can also reduce the glaze in the crockpot on High with the lid off, but that will take significantly longer unless your cooker has a sauté function.

Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

• Swap the cinnamon for apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice to change the flavor profile.
• If you don’t have a crockpot, you can make brown sugar glazed carrots in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
• Add toppings such as toasted pecans, fresh thyme, parsley, or orange zest to enhance flavor and texture.
• Double the recipe for a crowd. A 6-quart slow cooker can usually hold double or triple the ingredients, but you may need to increase cook time slightly.

Crockpot Maple Glazed Carrots

Use real maple syrup instead of honey if you prefer a maple-forward flavor. Avoid imitation pancake syrup, which tastes artificial and overly sweet.

Storage

Once cooled, store leftover carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator with the brown sugar glaze for 3–5 days. You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months; note the butter and glaze may firm up when frozen.

Reheating

Reheat in the microwave or on the stove, gently warming the carrots in their glaze until heated through.