Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats taste just like a slice of carrot cake in nourishing oatmeal form! This recipe is packed with grated carrots, walnuts, raisins and the most incredible flavor for creamy deliciousness in every bite. The perfect make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings!
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats have all the flavor of an irresistible dessert served up in a perfectly-portioned, filling breakfast. The easy oatmeal recipe is made with a combination of oats, milk, mashed banana, shredded carrots, optional mix-ins and flavorings for a tasty, nutritious morning meal.
One of the greatest things about overnight oatmeal is that it is so versatile and the flavor options are endless! In the spring, we love to enjoy the wonderful flavor of carrot cake. Honestly, the taste is pretty amazing all year round! And, if you’d like to try a high-protein overnight oats recipe with added greek yogurt, try our Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats!
I make these all of the time! They have the best flavor and texture and I love that they’re healthier!
— Bethany
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and easy: This dessert-inspired recipe is so convenient because it comes together within minutes! After everything has been mixed, move it to the refrigerator to allow the ingredients to set overnight. In the morning, you’ll have breakfast ready to go!
- Super tasty: Each bite is filled with the natural sweetness of carrots and ripe banana, complemented by hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, the chewy raisins and the optional crunch of toasted walnuts.
- Healthy: Old-fashioned rolled oats are high in fiber and protein, and will keep you full for hours. This recipe is also packed with lots of vitamins and minerals from the carrots, bananas and chia seeds.
- Perfect for meal prep: On Sunday, make a double batch and you’ll have breakfast covered for the next four days.
Ingredients needed
This carrot cake overnight oats recipe is filled with nutritious ingredients. They come together so easily for a hearty breakfast, snack or dessert with a good balance of fat, protein and carbs. Here’s everything you’ll need to make them:
- Rolled oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats for that perfect chewy texture. You can use quick oats, but they will have a softer, mushier consistency. Steel-cut oats will not work for this recipe, as they will not soften to the right texture.
- Milk: Make your oats with any favorite milk product.
- Vanilla extract: For a warm subtle sweetness.
- Banana: Naturally sweetens the overnight oats while adding delicious flavor.
- Chia seeds: To thicken up the oat mixture for fabulous texture. They also add healthy fats, fiber, and protein.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon and nutmeg provide warm, cozy flavor.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
- Carrot: About 1 large carrot grated to make this authentic carrot cake oats.
- Mix-ins: For wonderful texture, we love the addition of chopped walnuts and raisins. Sub the raisins for dried cranberries, if you’d like.
How to make this recipe
This recipe could not be easier to make! Simply, stir, soak and enjoy! Here’s the simple process:
- Combine: Add oats, milk, vanilla, mashed banana, chia seeds and spices to a medium mixing bowl and stir.
- Add mix-ins: Mix in grated carrots, chopped walnuts, and raisins.
- Store: Divide overnight oats mixture between 2 mason jars. Seal jars and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- Enjoy: Serve with an extra splash of milk if desired and sprinkle with additional walnuts and raisins before serving. Taste and sweeten as desired.
Recipe tip
You can use your cheese grater to grate the carrots. Use the finest grate on the box grater or you could use the grating tool on a food processor. Just be sure to finely grate the carrot!
Helpful tips
- Type of oats: Rolled oats or quick oats will work, but do not use steel-cut oats, as the consistency will not be very good and the oats will be too hard. Quick oats will be a bit mushier, so rolled oats is the best choice.
- Soak time: Soaking oats for at least 8 hours or overnight is recommended for the best texture and consistency. However, if you’re in a pinch for time, you can actually soak oats for just 2-4 hours with good results. The oats will become more thick and creamy as they absorb the liquid over time, so if you soak them for just 2 hours, they won’t have quite the same volume that they would if you soaked them for 8+ hours.
- Make it vegan: To make this recipe vegan and dairy free, use any plant-based milk. We like unsweetened vanilla almond milk or cashew milk.
- Gluten free: While oats are naturally gluten-free, to ensure that this recipe is in fact gluten free, be sure to buy oats that are labeled as certified gluten-free oats.
- Serve them at room temp or warm: If you’re not a fan of the oatmeal being cold, you can remove the oats from the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to eat them to take off the chill. You can also heat them in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute or two, depending on preference. After warming, stir and add a bit more milk, as needed.
Frequently asked questions
This recipe for carrot cake overnight oats is packed with great nutrition! The ratio of ingredients is a good balance of healthy fats, fiber, carbs, and protein. You will be full and satisfied for several hours. To keep these lower in calories and fat, add toppings sparingly and avoid toppings that are not as nutritious.
Even though, everything should be eaten in moderation, oatmeal is a great everyday breakfast. You can even use different mix-ins and toppings to change the flavor so that you never get bored.
To make the best overnight oats, be sure to have a good liquid-to-oats ratio, usually at least double the liquid per serving of oats, depending on the other ingredients used.
Variations
Overnight oat recipes are really easy to customize, so feel free to change up the ingredients to make this your own. Here are some options:
- Mix-ins: Boost the nutrition by adding in 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or hemp seeds. You can also mix in mini chocolate chips.
- Nuts: Any nuts would be great! Swap out the walnuts for chopped pecans or almonds.
- Fresh fruit: Add chopped apples, pears or berries!
- Yogurt: Instead of mashed banana, use about 1/2 cup vanilla or plain greek yogurt to add more protein.
- Protein powder: You can up the protein by stirring in 1/2 cup to 1 cup protein powder.
- Toppings: Some other toppings that would pair great with the carrot cake flavor are unsweetened coconut flakes, granola, a dollop or drizzle of cream cheese frosting and/or almond butter or peanut butter.
Storage recommendation
Carrot overnight oats will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container or mason jars for up to 4 to 5 days. You’ll have a portable breakfast for on-the-go during busy weekdays! Before enjoying, to refresh them, give them a good stir and add another splash of milk.
More easy breakfast recipes
If you try this, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups almond milk or your favorite milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts , optional
- 2 tablespoons raisins, optional
- Optional: to make these sweeter you can mix in your sweetener of choice – stevia, honey, maple syrup, etc.
Instructions
- Add oats, milk, vanilla, mashed banana, chia seeds and spices to a medium mixing bowl and stir.
- Mix in grated carrots, chopped walnuts, and raisins.
- Divide overnight oats mixture between 2 mason jars. Seal jars and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- Serve with an extra splash of milk if desired and sprinkle with additional walnuts and raisins before serving. Taste and sweeten as desired.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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Love the flavor and texture of this!
I make these all of the time! They have the best flavor and texture and I love that they’re healthier!