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.

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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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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.

What the heck is fennel? ›

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a flowering plant species in the carrot family. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves.

Does roasted fennel taste like licorice? ›

What does it taste like? Raw fennel has a slight licoricy flavor (and it smells like licorice too!), roasted fennel has a much mellower and sweeter flavor that pairs well with root vegetables, most proteins (our favorites are chicken and salmon!), and the texture really softens after it is cooked.

What mixes well with fennel? ›

Meat: Fennel pairs well with meats such as pork, sausage, and chicken. Seafood: Fennel pairs well with seafood such as salmon, cod, and shrimp. Spices: Fennel pairs well with spices such as black pepper, cumin, and coriander. Grains: Fennel pairs well with grains such as quinoa, couscous, and rice.

Can too much fennel be harmful? ›

When taken by mouth: Fennel is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine at appropriate doses for a short period of time. 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.

Is it OK to eat fennel everyday? ›

Although fennel eaten in normal amounts is generally safe, some people may need to be cautious about how much they consume. One study showed that breastfeeding mothers who drank two or more liters of fennel tea each day reported signs of pain in their infants.

Who should not eat fennel? ›

Risks. Some spices, including coriander, fennel, and caraway, might cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals. Those who are allergic to these spices should not eat them. Beta-blockers, a heart disease and anxiety medication, can cause potassium levels to increase in the blood.

What part of fennel can you not eat? ›

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.

What is the sugary disease in fennel? ›

Sugary disease is caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; the disease is spread by aphids. For vector control, spraying with Phosphomedon (0.2%) or Dimethoate (0.03%) or Quinolphos/DPVPC (0.05%) commencing from the 50% emergence of flowers and also at the seed development stage is recommended.

Can dogs eat fennel? ›

Yes! Fennel is safe for your dog to eat and contains vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and potassium. These vitamins and minerals support the health of your dog's immune system, vision, bones, and more. Fennel also helps with bad breath, indigestion, and pups that are gassy.

What is the bitterness in fennel? ›

Fennel fruits contain an essential oil ("Bitter fennel oil") with sweet-tasting trans-anethole (main component) and the bitter fenchone that gives the Bitter fennel its slightly bitter taste. The essential oil of Sweet fennel (var.

Is fennel an acquired taste? ›

While some may consider fennel an acquired taste, the unique flavor and versatile nature of the vegetable gives it a variety of different uses when cooking!

Is fennel a laxative? ›

Can fennel seeds cause constipation? Fennel seeds are unlikely to cause constipation. In fact, they are often used to relieve digestive issues, including constipation, as they can help promote bowel movement and ease digestion.

Why do you soak fennel in water? ›

It helps in regulating the flow of the blood, thus reducing the pain caused by cramps. Soak fennel seeds in water overnight and have them first thing in the morning.

What fruit goes with fennel? ›

Its distinctly anise and camphor-like aromas are a great way to perk up any spring or summer recipe. Learn to use everything from bulb to stalk to frond in these six fennel pairings that will show you how to combine them with grapes, elderflower, pomegranate, guava, grapefruit and dill.

Why is fennel so important? ›

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.

What country uses fennel the most? ›

India leads the world in fennel cultivation, though those varieties are mainly grown for fennel seeds, which are used as a spice. Most U.S.-grown Florence fennel comes from California and Arizona, although it is considered a minor crop here in the U.S.

Why do Italians eat fennel? ›

For example, Italians often eat fennel raw at the end of a meal, saying it helps with digestion and cleansing. If you do a quick search, you'll find that Fennel Bulbs are an impressive source of dietary fiber, which we all know is amazing for digestion and gut health!

What does fennel do to a dish? ›

Though the stalks and leaves are edible, fennel recipes most often call for the bulb. When raw, it has a crisp texture similar to celery and a fresh licorice flavor. It caramelizes as it cooks, taking on a sweeter flavor and tender, melt-in-your mouth texture.

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