Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (1)

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Table Of Contents hide

  • Why You’ll Love This Roasted Fennel Recipe
  • What Is Fennel?
  • How To Cut Fennel For Roasting
  • How To Cook Fennel
  • Storage Instructions
  • What To Serve With Fennel Recipes
  • Tools For This Roasted Fennel Recipe

Not sure how to cook fennel? This roasted fennel recipe is perfect for any occasion, and it’s so easy to make! If you dislike the taste of this veggie raw, this method is a game changer that brings out its natural sweetness. Just like rutabaga recipes or roasted sweet potato recipes, this sheet pan healthy side dish needs only a few staple ingredients for stunning results.

Why You’ll Love This Roasted Fennel Recipe

  • Sweet, buttery flavor similar to caramelized onions
  • Soft texture with crispy, caramelized edges
  • 5 simple ingredients
  • Nutrient-dense: high in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium
  • Vegan,whole30,paleo,dairy free,& gluten-free
Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (2)

What Is Fennel?

Fennel is a vegetable in the carrot family and has a mild anise flavor, similar to licorice. It’s a fully edible plant with stalks that look like celery and fronds (leaves) that look a lot like dill.

Fennel is in season during the cooler months, late fall, through the winter, and into early spring. You can often find it in Italian recipes (fennel seeds are commonly used in pizza sauce), but can be used in all sorts of dishes.

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for roasted fennel recipes, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Fennel Bulbs – You can usually find raw fennel bulbs in the produce section of most grocery stores, and they are typically sold whole.
  • Olive Oil – Promotes browning and caramelization, and helps the seasonings stick. I used 3 tablespoons. You could cut back the oil to 2 tablespoons, but they might not brown quite as well and will be less flavorful.
  • SpicesSea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder bring out natural sweet flavors in this recipe for roasted fennel.

Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (3)

VARIATION: Add parmesan!

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese on the fennel recipe after roasting for extra flavor.

Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (4)

How To Cut Fennel For Roasting

The best way to cut a fennel bulb for roasting is to make pieces, for maximum surface area that can brown and caramelize. It’s easy to do:

  1. Trim the stalks. With a sharp knife, slice off the stalks of the fennel bulbs.
  2. Remove the ends. Trim the end of each bulb.
Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (5)
Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (6)
  1. Cut lengthwise. Slice each fennel bulb in half lengthwise.
  2. Chop pieces. From the halved bulbs, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices or wedges.
Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (7)
Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (8)

How To Cook Fennel

This section shows how to roast fennel, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Season. Place the sliced fennel in a large bowl. Gently toss in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder until evenly coated.
  2. Transfer. Arrange the fennel pieces on asheet panand spread in a single layer.

Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (9)

TIP: Make sure each piece is touching the pan.

Crowding the pan can cause the fennel to steam instead of roasting. Make sure there is plenty of room to allow for proper browning.

Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (10)
Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (11)
  1. Roast. Cook the roast fennel recipe in the oven, until it’s fork tender and caramelized.

Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (12)

TIP: Flip the fennel if you can.

If desired, you can flip each wedge over at 20 minutes to get both sides evenly caramelized, but a quick stir works as well.

  1. Garnish. If you like, garnish with fresh parsley or fennel fronds (what I used).
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Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep leftover fennel in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Meal prep: Cooking roasted fennel is a great way to prep for other recipes since it can be added to a variety of different dishes. Simply make ahead and store.
  • Reheat: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place leftover fennel on a baking sheet and roast for about 10 minutes, or until warm. The microwave also works if needed, but you’ll lose any crispy edges.
  • Freeze: Wrap the fennel recipe tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, place in a freezer bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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What To Serve With Fennel Recipes

If you’re looking for something to serve with this roasted fennel recipe, look no further! There are so many delicious ways to plate it:

Serve Fennel With:

  • Chicken – Pair this sweet side with Italian-inspired chicken dishes like chicken piccata, grilled bruschetta chicken, balsamic chicken, and grilled chicken kabobs.
  • Seafood – After roasting fennel, pair it with grilled shrimp skewers, pan seared salmon, surf and turf, or grilled lobster tails for a fancier meal.
  • Pork – Try these sweet roasted fennels with savory pan seared pork chops, pork tenderloin, pork steaks, or air fryer sausage.
  • Steak – Serve with air fryer baked potatoes and a ribeye steak, reverse sear steak, or air fryer filet mignon.
  • Sauces – Drizzle this fennel recipe with tahini sauce or marinara.

Add Fennel To:

  • Eggs – Add roasted fennel to an omelette or frittata. The sweetness of the fennel pairs well with eggs, and it makes a filling and satisfying meal.
  • Fennel Salad – Let the roasted fennel cool completely, then toss with mixed greens, crumbled bacon, shaved parmesan, pine nuts or walnuts, and your favorite vinaigrette (I love it with Greek salad dressing!).
  • Soup – Fennel makes a great addition to any healthy soup. Some of my favorites to add it to are vegetable soup or stuffed pepper soup.
  • Noodles – Prepare your favorite pasta, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash. Toss with roasted fennel, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.
  • Knife– A quality knife will ensure that you keep the bottom of the bulb intact while slicing fennel.
  • Sheet Pan– This warp resistant sheet pan ensures even cooking, and the patented silicone surface is non-stick enough to not need lining.

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Recipe Card

Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (16)

5 from 7 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!)

The BEST roasted fennel recipe – caramelized and buttery! Learn how to cook fennel with olive oil, salt, and pepper to bring out its flavor.

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 30 minutes

Total: 40 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 4 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).

  2. Slice off the stalks of the fennel bulbs and trim the end of each with a knife. It’s important to keep the bottom of the bulb intact, so you can slice into wedges.

  3. Slice each fennel bulb in half lengthwise, then slice into 1/2-inch pieces.

  4. Place the fennel in a large bowl. Gently toss in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder until evenly coated.

  5. Transfer to a sheet pan and spread in a single layer (without any pieces touching).

  6. Roast fennel in the oven for 20 minutes, stir, then return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, until the fennel is fork tender and caramelized.

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Related Easy Recipes

  • Mediterranean Chicken Recipe

  • Oven Roasted Cauliflower

  • Romanesco Recipe

  • Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 6-8 pieces

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories146

Fat10.5g

Protein2.3g

Total Carbs13.4g

Net Carbs7.8g

Fiber5.6g

Sugar6.9g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Side Dish

Cuisine:American

Keywords:fennel recipe, how to cook fennel, roasted fennel, roasted fennel recipe

Calories: 146 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

Roasted Fennel Recipe

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Roasted Fennel Recipe (Easy & Caramelized!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

FAQs

Why do chefs use fennel so much? ›

Though often overlooked by home cooks, this versatile ingredient is beloved by chefs for its pleasantly sweet, fresh flavor and mild aromatic character.

Does roasted fennel taste like licorice? ›

What Does Roasted Fennel Taste Like? The short and sweet answer is that fennel has a complex and rich flavor profile with notes of licorice, anise, and hints of mint! But there are many ways to prepare fennel and commonly people grapple with the question of is fennel better roasted or raw. We love it both ways!

How to prepare fennel bulbs for roasting? ›

Prepare the fennel: Trim the root end of the fennel bulb and cut the stems off. Season the fennel: Place the fennel wedges in a bowl and add the olive oil, herbs, zest from one lemon, a generous pinch of salt, and freshly ground pepper. Roast the fennel: Spread the fennel wedges out on the prepared baking sheet.

What are the disadvantages of fennel? ›

There isn't enough reliable information to know whether fennel is safe when used long-term. Although rare, side effects might include stomach upset and seizures. When applied to the skin: Fennel is possibly safe. Fennel can make skin extra sensitive to the sun and make it easier to get a sunburn.

Why do you soak fennel in water? ›

Hydration: Fennel seeds can release some of their nutrients into water by being soaked in it, making the water more delicious and hydrating than plain water. Hydration is important for general health, so consuming this infused water can assist.

What is the difference between bitter fennel and sweet fennel? ›

Three variants of this have developed over time: var vulgare, the Bitter fennel, with its bitter-sweet and slightly pungent fruit; var dulce, the Sweet or Roman Fennel with pleasant sweet-tasting fruits, var.

What are the health benefits of fennel? ›

Fennel contains many antioxidant compounds including rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and apigenin. Antioxidants can help fight cell damage from free radicals and reduce your risk of many chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

What is the best way to eat fennel? ›

Eaten raw, fennel works particularly well with fish and pork. It can be oven-baked to add complexity to roast vegies. Sautéed fennel is a great side dish and adding raw slices to a fresh salad will add a sharp bite and crunch to the mix.

Is fennel a laxative? ›

Fennel. Fennel is a traditional folk remedy for digestive symptoms, including gas, bloating, and constipation. A small 2022 study of 50 older adults found that those who drank tea containing fennel and rose had improved constipation symptoms after 4 weeks.

What spices compliment fennel? ›

Spices that pair with fennel

Anise, star anise, dill seed, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper, cumin, coriander seeds cassia, cinnamon, turmeric, cloves and fenugreek.

What liquor is made from fennel? ›

Fennelcello, also known as finocchietto, is a similarly infused liqueur but instead features fennel's licorice-like bite. If you like anise-flavored spirits such as sambuca or absinthe, you'll love this fennel-infused liqueur.

Can I freeze fresh fennel? ›

Long-Term Storage. Fennel stalks and fronds freeze well. Simply rinse them in a cool stream of water, and then place them in freezer-safe bag or container.

Is it okay to drink fennel tea every day? ›

There is no recommended daily limit established for how much fennel tea is safe to drink. Since fennel tea affects digestion, start with one cup at a time and see how your body reacts to drinking it.

Do you use the stalks of a fennel bulb? ›

Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.

Is it OK to eat fennel everyday? ›

Fennel is usually safe if you eat it in normal amounts, but there are some possible risks for certain people: Allergies. If you are allergic to plants in the carrot family, you might have an allergic reaction to fennel.

Why does fennel suppress appetite? ›

8 showed that taking fennel as tea (containing 2 g of dried tea) or as aromatherapy (2-4 drops of fennel oil on dried cotton)9 could suppress appetite in overweight women. This effect was attributed to the content of trans-anethole, which acted on amphetamine and helped appetite control.

What flavor does fennel add? ›

Fennel has a very mild anise or licorice flavor that can be enhanced or sweetened depending on how it is cooked (or not cooked). When diced and sauteed with onions as one of the first steps when making a soup or stew, fennel becomes very sweet.

What is the point of fennel? ›

Fennel contains beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A in the body) and vitamin C, a nutrient important for collagen production and tissue repair. Both these nutrients play an important role in maintaining the health of the skin, as well as the mucous membranes that protect organs like the respiratory tract.

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