Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Imagine all the flavors of carrot cake transformed into a creamy, healthy, nutrient-rich breakfast—these Carrot Cake Overnight Oats are the perfect way to kickstart your day!

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If you’re like me and love the warm, spiced flavors of a classic carrot cake, you need to make these Carrot Cake Overnight Oats– ASAP! They’ve got all the cozy notes of cinnamon, sweet shredded carrots, and a hint of allspice that make carrot cake so irresistible, but in a quick and easy breakfast that’s super easy to meal prep for the entire week. 

I love how just a few minutes of prep the night before means I wake up to a creamy, delicious meal that feels like a treat—but is packed with the nutrition like protein and fiber that I need to start my day off right.

Plump raisins, sweet shredded carrots, and warm cinnamon take this from a basic overnight oats recipe to basically a breakfast dessert. Rotate this recipe with my banana bread overnight oats, blueberry overnight oats, and cinnamon roll overnight oats, and you’ll have a different delicious and nutritious breakfast ready every morning! 

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• 🛒 Key Ingredients
• 🥣 Step by Step Instructions
• 🗯 Tips and Tricks
• ↔️ Customize it
• 🍽 Equipment
• 🍲Make ahead and storage instructions

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Just 10 simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep are all you need to make these Carrot Cake Overnight Oats. Perfect for busy mornings when you want breakfast ready to go.
• It’s like having a slice of carrot cake for breakfast—without the hassle of baking! The sweet carrots, warm cinnamon, and hint of allspice bring those cozy flavors you love.
• These oats are packed with whole grains, protein, and healthy fats to keep you full and satisfied all morning long.
• You can easily make it your own! Toss in extra raisins for more sweetness, swap the walnuts for your favorite nuts, or add a spoonful of almond butter on top for an extra treat.
• Make a batch at the start of the week, and you’ll have breakfast ready whenever you need it. These oats store well in the fridge, making them a convenient, delicious option for those hectic mornings.

🛒 Key Ingredients

• Rolled oats: These are the foundation of this recipe. Whole grain rolled oats give these overnight oats a hearty texture that keeps you full and satisfied. For a gluten-free option, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
• Milk: This adds creaminess and helps the oats soften overnight. You can use any type of milk you prefer—whether it’s cow’s milk, almond, oat, or even coconut milk. It’s all about your personal taste.
• Plain Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt makes the oats rich and creamy while adding a nice protein boost. If you like your oats a bit sweeter, try using a low-sugar vanilla yogurt instead. Oikos Triple Zero Vanilla is my favorite!
• Shredded carrots: Freshly shredded carrots add natural sweetness and give you that classic carrot cake flavor. They also add a bit of texture and extra nutrition. You can finely shred them so they blend right in, or leave the shreds a little thicker for a slight crunch. 
• Chia seeds: These tiny seeds help thicken the oats and add a dose of fiber, protein, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. They’re a great way to make your breakfast even more satisfying.
• Raisins: A small handful of raisins brings a burst of sweetness that complements the spiced flavors of the oats. They also add a little chewiness that helps vary the texture. 
• Maple syrup: Just a tablespoon of pure maple syrup adds the perfect touch of sweetness and a subtle maple flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount based on your taste or swap it with another sweetener you like.
• Walnuts: Chopped walnuts add that perfect bit of crunch and healthy fats, giving your oats that classic carrot cake texture. They’re also great for topping just before serving.
• Cinnamon: This warm, aromatic spice gives the oats a cozy, comforting flavor essential to any carrot cake recipe.
• Allspice: Just a pinch of allspice adds a depth of flavor that enhances the overall spiced notes in the oats, making them taste even more like a slice of carrot cake. Just don’t add too much, or it can add almost a bit of bitterness to the oats. 
• Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla ties all the flavors together and adds a hint of sweetness. It’s optional, especially if you’re using vanilla-flavored yogurt, but it’s a nice touch if you have it on hand.

See recipe card for quantities.

🥣 Step by Step Instructions

1. Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl or mason jar. 
2. Shake or stir until well combined, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 
3. The next morning, stir the oat mixture and eat as is, or top with a handful of walnuts, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a few shredded carrots if you’d like!

🗯 Tips and Tricks

• Grate your carrots finely: Finely grated carrots blend more seamlessly into the oats, giving you that classic carrot cake texture without any big chunks. Plus, they’ll soak up the flavors better overnight. You can add a few larger shreds if you want a bit of crunch to your oats! 
• Soak overnight for the best flavor: While you can eat your oats after just 4 hours, letting them soak overnight gives the spices and flavors time to meld together, making for a richer, more delicious taste. It also helps the oats soften even more for an extra doughy texture. 
• Adjust the sweetness to your taste: Start with the suggested amount of maple syrup (or a little less), but feel free to add more if you prefer a sweeter breakfast. You can also reduce it if you’re watching your sugar intake.
• Customize your texture: If you prefer your oats thicker, add a little less milk. If you like them creamier, add a splash more milk in the morning before eating.
• Make a big batch: Save time by preparing a big batch at once. You can portion the oats into individual jars or containers, so you have a ready-made breakfast all week.

↔️ Customize it

Use these substitutions and variations to make this easy carrot cake overnight oats recipe your own! 

• Mix up your toppings: Get creative with your toppings! Try adding an extra dollop of Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, or even a sprinkle of shredded coconut for extra flavor and texture.
• Experiment with milk and yogurt types: Use different types of milk and yogurt to change up the flavor profile. Coconut milk and coconut yogurt can give a tropical twist, while almond milk keeps it light and nutty.
• Sweeten it your way: If maple syrup isn’t your go-to, try honey, agave, brown sugar, or a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit or stevia. Adjust the amount to match your preference.
• Swap the nuts: Not a fan of walnuts? You can easily swap them out for pecans, almonds, or even hazelnuts for a different nutty flavor and crunch. Add a nutrient boost and a little extra crunch by stirring in a spoonful of extra chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, or pumpkin seeds. 
• Add extra mix-ins: Stir in some shredded coconut, chopped dates, or even a spoonful of almond butter for an extra boost of texture, flavor, and nutrition. 
• Make it dairy-free: Use plant-based yogurt and milk, like almond, oat, soy, or coconut, to make this recipe completely dairy-free while still keeping it creamy and delicious.
• Add more protein: For high protein oatmeal, add vanilla protein powder or use a pre-mixed protein shake instead of milk for this recipe!

🍽 Equipment

Making carrot cake overnight oats is so simple that you won’t need anything more than a bowl and spoon. Here are a few tools that might make the process easier if you often make overnight oats!

• 12-ounce jars with plastic lids to portion out individual servings for easy breakfast on the go
• Silicone spatula set for mixing
• Large glass bowls for making these oats in batches

🍲Make ahead and storage instructions

Make Ahead: Carrot Cake Overnight Oatmeal is perfect for meal prepping! You can easily mix up a big batch in one go, making your mornings a little bit easier all week long. Simply combine all your ingredients in a large bowl, then portion the oats into individual jars or containers. 

Storage: Store your overnight oats in airtight containers or jars in the refrigerator once prepared. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4-5 days. If you find the oats have thickened too much as they sit, just stir in a splash of milk and give everything a stir before eating. 

Tip: For the best texture, wait to add any crunchy toppings, like nuts or extra shredded carrots, until just before you’re ready to eat. This keeps them crisp and prevents them from getting soggy.

Did you make this carrot cake overnight oats recipe? 

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