5 Best Carrot Recipes to Root For

If you're anything like most people out there, you probably eat carrots in the raw. You may occasionally plunge them into a bowlful of tzatziki or ranch dip, but more often than not, you munch on them as is, no? Well, if you do, we've got some news for you: Cooked carrots are where the money's at. From crisping up your stir-fries to sweetening just about any soup or stew, the bright orange root can be any cook's secret weapon. Plus, research⁽¹⁾ shows that the veggie retains its nutrients more in cooked form. So, if you want to reap all the health benefits without having to resort to those bland, tasteless sticks, these 5 best carrot recipes will put the root front and center.

1. Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Between the warm spices, the rich-flavored nuts, and the oh-so-yummy carrots, we're all familiar with the culinary masterpiece that is the carrot cake. However, if you don't have the time to bake the thing (who does, actually?), you can still get all the feels by whipping up this version instead. The best part? This twist of a dish is actually healthier than the real deal, because it skips the butter and sugar and sneaks in lots of fiber - thanks to the oats. 

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup dehydrated carrots

2 1/2 cups almond milk (or any nut milk of your choice)

1/3 cup walnuts, crushed

2 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 tbsp flaxseed

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tbsp almond butter

Directions:

1. In a bowl, add the carrots along with one cup of lukewarm water. Let them sit until they hydrate for about 10-15 minutes.
2. Then, remove the carrots from the bowl and get rid of all excess water by squeezing them as hard as you can.
3. Add all the ingredients (except for the walnuts) to a saucepan over low to medium heat and stir well.
4. Let them simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Transfer to a bowl and top with the walnuts. Enjoy!

2. Spicy Carrot Frittata

If you thought frittatas are all about eggs, think again. This take on the breakfast staple puts more emphasis on the veggies than the eggs. So, now you can start your day on an uber-nutritious note. And since carrot and harissa go hand in hand, you can always add a tablespoon of the thing to spice up the dish (if your stomach is up for it, of course!).

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups dehydrated carrots

1 dry onion, peeled and diced

2 eggs

3 tbsp almond milk

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp harissa sauce (optional)

1/4 tsp cumin

Salt and pepper, to taste

A handful of fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Add the carrots to a bowl along with 3 cups of warm water. Let them sit for 15 minutes or until they hydrate.
2. Once they are ready, remove them from the water and squeeze away any excess liquid.
3. Place them into a bowl along with the milk, eggs, harissa, salt, and spices. Mix well to combine.
4. Pour the olive oil in a saucepan and heat over medium heat.
5. Then, add the onion and sauté until it's translucent.
6. Pour the carrot mixture in the pan and stir until all ingredients are coated.
7. Cover with a lid and cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to prevent the frittata from burning and sticking.
8. Once done, remove from and serve with the fresh chopped parsley.

3. Carrot Mango Smoothie

From pancakes and ice cream to salsa and jam, mango is one of those fruits that tastes great, no matter how you eat it. However, this colorful smoothie goes above and beyond in the flavor department as it combines the fruit's natural sweetness with carrot's earthy zing. Plus, the hint of orange in this bad boy turns it in an antioxidant powerhouse, so what's not to like?

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dehydrated carrots

1/2 cup freeze dried mangos

2 tbsp orange juice

1/2 tsp coconut sugar (optional)

2 cups cold water

A handful of ice

Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients (except for the ice) to a food processor and blend until they're all juiced up.
2. Then, add the ice and continue to pulse until the cubes are crushed.
3. Serve and enjoy!

4. Carrot Gnocchi

When you hear the words "carrot gnocchi," chances are your mind roams to some fancy Italian restaurant that serves only the finest of dishes. But, what if we told you that making carrot gnocchi at home is as easy as ABC? The secret? You need to add a few potatoes to the mix to make the dough more flavorful and less sticky. Fun fact: They pair great with pretty much anything, from pesto to red pasta sauce.

Ingredients:

2 large potatoes

1 cup dehydrated carrots

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp nutritional yeast

3/4 cup water

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a bowl, add two cups of lukewarm water and the carrots, and let them sit there for about 15 minutes. Once done, remove from the bowl, squeeze away any excess fluid, and set them aside.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven at 400^oF.
3. Rinse the potatoes, and bake them until fork-tender (that's about 1 hour).
4. Once they're cooked through, cut them in half and rice the flesh.
5. Then, put the carrots, riced potatoes and 1/4 of water in a food processor and puree.
6. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients until you form a semi-sticky dough.
7. Now, flour a surface, shape the dough into a disc and slice it into four pieces.
8. Knead each one, forming a rope and using a knife, slice it into small 1-inch pieces.
9. Cook the gnocchi in boiling water and once they're cooked, top them with your favorite pasta sauce.

5. Cheesy Carrot Bites

Even though cheese and carrots aren't the most common of food pairings, these delicious balls prove that it's high time we gave this combo a shot. In fact, between Feta's tangy flavor and carrot's earthiness, these bites are going to be a hit, no matter when or to whom you serve them. The best part? They're oven-baked, so you can easily avoid all that frying grease.

Ingredients:

1 cup dehydrated carrots

3/4 cup oats

1/3 cup Feta cheese, crumbled

2-3 tbsp breadcrumbs

1 small egg

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tbsp BBQ sauce

1/2 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a bowl, pour 2 cups of water.
2. Then, toss the carrots and let them hydrate for about 15 minutes.
3. Now, preheat the oven to 400^oF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Once they do, take them out of the water and remove all excess liquid.
5. Then, add them to the food processor along with the rest of the ingredients.
6. Pulse for a couple of minutes or until all of them are combined.
7. Adjust the seasoning, if needed.
8. Now, using your hands, form small balls of the "dough" and place them onto the baking sheet.
9. Bake for about 20 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
10. Serve with your favorite sauce or condiment. Enjoy!

Do you often cook with carrots? We' love to hear your answers in the comments down below!

References:

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2009.01091.x

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