Honey-Roasted Parsnips Recipe

Name: Honey-Roasted Parsnips Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 3.3lbs (1.5kg) parsnips, peeled & trimmed; 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 4 sprigs fresh thyme; 1/2 tsp fennel seeds; 2 tbsp raw runny honey

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If you’re looking for a delicious and simple side dish to add to your Christmas day feast, look no further than honey-roasted parsnips! It’s such an easy recipe that requires only five ingredients. Plus, the sweet and savory flavor combination fits perfectly with a traditional Christmas spread. So why not give honey-roasted parsnips a try this year? You won’t regret it!

honey-roasted parnsips in an oval serving bowl placed on top of a napkin

Page Contents

Ingredients You’ll Need
How To Make Honey-Roasted Parsnips ~ Step-By-Step
Why You’ll Love My Honey-Roasted Parsnips
Recipe Variations
Tips For Making The Perfect Honey Roasted Parsnips
Health Benefits Of Parsnips
Honey-Roasted Parsnips ~ FAQs
Pin Honey-Roasted Parsnips For Later!

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about simple recipes is that they are often the most flavorful. With just a few ingredients, each one is able to shine. That’s certainly the case with these honey-roasted parsnips. With just five ingredients, plus salt and pepper, you can have delicious parsnips on the dinner table in no time. It’s the perfect side dish!

ingredients for honey-roasted parnsips - 6 medium parsnips, olive oil, fennel seeds, honey, thyme, salt and pepper

Parsnips – one of the best root vegetables to deliver natural sweetness.
Fresh Thyme – adds savory flavors without overwhelming the dish. Ideal for balancing the sweetness.
Runny Honey – caramelizes the parsnips, making them divinely sticky and crispy all at the same time.
Fennel Seeds – bring a gentle aniseed flavor that pairs incredibly well with the sweet sticky parsnips.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – helps the parsnips get crispy on the outside.
Sea Salt & Pepper

How To Make Honey-Roasted Parsnips ~ Step-By-Step

Prep
Cut down the length of the parsnips so that each creates 4 wedges. Then transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss well, so each parsnip is coated.
Baking Tray
Tip the parsnips onto a roasting tray in a single layer, giving them plenty of room. Use two smaller baking trays if you don’t have a large baking sheet. This will ensure the parsnips roast instead of steam in the oven.
Roast
Place the parsnips in a preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the parsnips from the oven, add the thyme sprigs and fennel seeds, and drizzle with honey. Give everything a good toss together and roast for another 10-15 minutes until the parsnips are golden and crispy.
Serve & Enjoy
Once cooked, remove the thyme leaves from the sprigs and sprinkle them over the parsnips. Discard the sprigs.

A full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Why You’ll Love My Honey-Roasted Parsnips

They’re roasted, not fried. Roasting is a healthier way to cook vegetables to bring out their natural sweetness. These parsnips are roasted to perfection so that you can enjoy all the flavor without excessive use of fat.
They’re sweetened with honey. These parsnips are lightly sweetened with a drizzle of honey, which gives them a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory herbs. The honey also helps to caramelize the parsnips, making them extra delicious.
They’re spiked with fennel seeds. Fennel seeds add a lovely aniseed flavor to the parsnips that take them to next level delicious.
They’re perfect for holiday gatherings. Sure to be a hit with your guests, these honey-roasted parsnips are ideal for holiday gatherings, Sunday roasts, or potluck dinners.
They’re easy to make! Despite their fantastic flavor, these parsnips are relatively easy to make. Simply roast the parsnips in the oven until they’re tender, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with herbs. That’s it!

honey-roasted parnsips in an oval serving bowl

Recipe Variations

Spicy Honey-Roasted Parsnips. Suppose you want to add a little heat to your honey-roasted parsnips. In that case, add half a teaspoon of chili powder into the mixing bowl with the olive oil before roasting. The chili will give the parsnips a nice kick that balances the sweetness of the honey.
Maple-Roasted Parsnips. For a delicious twist on honey-roasted parsnips, try using maple syrup in place of honey. The maple syrup will give the parsnips a rich, deep flavor that pairs perfectly with the roasted fennel seeds and thyme.
Rosemary-Roasted Parsnips. If you’re looking for a more savory option, try adding some fresh rosemary. The rosemary will infuse its flavor into the parsnips as they roast, creating a wonderfully fragrant dish.
Garlic-Roasted Parsnips. For an extra flavorful dish, try adding some garlic to the mix. The garlic will roast with parsnips and infuse them with its delicious flavor.
Orange-Roasted Parsnips. Try adding some freshly squeezed orange juice when you add the olive oil for a citrusy twist. The orange juice will add a lovely brightness to the dish that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the honey and the earthiness of the roasted herbs.

honey-roasted parnsips on a baking tray lined with baking parchement.

Tips For Making The Perfect Honey Roasted Parsnips

1
Chop Into Similar Size Pieces

When cooking parsnips, it’s important to chop them into similar size pieces so they cook evenly. If some of the chopped parsnips are bigger than others, they’ll take longer to cook. And if some pieces are too small, they’ll overcook and burn. By their very nature, parsnips will be thicker from one end to the other – but don’t worry too much about that. It can add a nice amount of texture to a bite.

2
An Even Coat of Oil

To ensure the parsnips get an even coat of oil, I place them in a mixing bowl, drizzle over the oil and seasonings and then give everything a good mix with my hands. This way, every bite will have just the right amount of crispiness.

3
Add The Honey In The Final 10 Minutes

Adding the honey to the parsnips for the last 10 minutes will ensure it doesn’t end up burnt on the baking tray.

Health Benefits Of Parsnips

The parsnip is a nutrient-packed powerhouse that deserves a spot on your table. This root vegetable is an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C. In the body, vitamin C doubles up as a powerful antioxidant, which may protect against chronic conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and heart disease¹. So the next time you’re at the grocery store, give parsnips a try and enjoy all their health benefits.

coco loves honey-roasted parsnips — Even Coco Loves ‘Em

Honey-Roasted Parsnips ~ FAQs

Are Honey-Roasted Parsnips Gluten-Free

Yes, this recipe is gluten-free.

Honey Roasted Parsnips Without Honey

Maple syrup or agave nectar are great natural alternatives in place of the honey. Avoid maple-flavored syrup and agave syrup, as these are highly processed versions. Using maple syrup or agave nectar would make the roasted parsnips suitable for vegans. Alternatively, you can skip the added sugars altogether. Roasting parsnips brings out their natural sweetness. You may find they are sweet enough without them.

What Honey To Use For Parsnips

The best type of honey is raw and unprocessed, as it doesn’t contain added sugars or preservatives. I love to buy local honey or from small producers in the UK. Check out what’s available where you live.

Can You Freeze Honey-Roasted Parsnips?

Yes! Once the honey-roasted parsnips have cooled at room temperature, place them on a baking sheet and freeze them for about 2 hours. This will stop them from freezing in one big clump. Then, place the frozen parsnips into a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. However, it is worth mentioning that they will lose some flavor and texture once frozen.

Can You Reheat Honey-Roasted Parsnips?

Yes! If the parsnips are frozen, defrost them in the fridge overnight before reheating. For best results, reheat chilled parsnips in the oven, on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, for 15-20 minutes at 375ºF/190ºC/gas mark 5.

Do You Have To Peel Parsnips When Making Honey-Roasted Parsnips?

Large and medium-sized parsnips are better peeled as the skin can become quite leathery as the parsnip ages. You can avoid peeling if you buy good quality, small parsnips. Just scrub them really well with a vegetable brush.

More Side Dish Ideas

If you like the look of these honey-roasted parsnips, I have more side dishes for you to try…

How To Make Honey-Roasted Parsnips ~ Full Recipe