Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Name: Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats; ½ cup milk of choice; 1 tablespoons 0% fat plain greek yogurt, plus more for serving; 2 teaspoons maple syrup; ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons grated carrots

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These Carrot Cake Overnight Oats have all the cozy, cinnamon-spiced flavors of carrot cake in a wholesome, make-ahead breakfast. Just stir it together, refrigerate, and wake up to something seriously delicious!

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats in a glass jar with a spoon.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I’m a huge overnight oats fan and am always trying new flavor combinations. I love that they’re such a simple, nutritious breakfast option.

They’re great for meal prep as an on-the-go option for busy mornings. Just combine the ingredients and refrigerate overnight. It takes just 10 minutes of prep time for a delicious and easy breakfast in the morning.

Overnight oats are one of our favorite things to make for breakfast in my house because they’re low-fuss and super customizable. When I started recipe testing these carrot cake-inspired oats, they immediately became a new favorite — I could eat these every day because they’re SO good!

These carrot cake oats taste like dessert but are packed with fiber and protein, so they’re a great breakfast option to keep you satisfied until lunchtime.

Love quick and easy breakfasts? Try one of these favorite overnight oats recipes: Raspberry Overnight Oats and Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats are my go-to choices with fresh fruit. And, of course, Cookie Dough Overnight Oats are a favorite on Fresh Apron.

Ingredients

Oats: Old-fashioned oats work best to soak up the liquid and create a soft, creamy texture. Steel-cut oats won’t absorb the liquid as well and will be tough to chew. Quick oats will absorb the liquid too quickly and become soggy.
Milk: You can use just about any type of milk, whether dairy or a dairy-free alternative like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
Greek Yogurt: I opt for plain, but you can also use vanilla Greek yogurt. Just leave out the vanilla extract if you choose vanilla yogurt. You can even use a plant-based yogurt alternative if you need a dairy-free option.
Maple Syrup: A drizzle of maple syrup (about two teaspoons) is all you need to sweeten these oats. You can swap with honey.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is a key ingredient in carrot cake, and it gives these carrot cake oats an additional hint of sweetness without the added sugar.
Grated Carrots: I recommend finely grating fresh carrots yourself using the smaller holes on a box grater. You could also buy pre-shredded carrots and chop them up more finely.
Spices: Cinnamon gives these oats their undeniable carrot cake-like flavor. You can add more warm spices, like a small pinch of ground cloves, nutmeg, and/or ginger.

*The full ingredient list with amounts is in the recipe card below.

How to Make Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

In a glass jar or airtight container, mix the oats, milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, until well combined.
Stir in the grated carrots, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Give it a good stir before serving. Enjoy as-is or top with a dollop of Greek yogurt, nuts, raisins, or a drizzle of extra maple syrup.

Expert Tip: Let them sit overnight for the best texture. This allows the oats to fully absorb the liquid and soften and thicken.

Variations

Add protein powder: Overnight oats are a great way to add extra protein to your day. Stir in a tablespoon of vanilla protein powder, and leave out the vanilla extract.
Include chia seeds: Chia seeds are rich in fiber and protein, and adding some to your overnight oats can help you feel satisfied longer. If using, be sure to add an additional splash of milk.
Make it vegan: Swap the Greek yogurt and milk for dairy-free alternatives. Choose a thicker dairy-free yogurt, like one made of coconut milk or cashew milk, for best results.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these carrot cake oats for breakfast, a grab-and-go snack, or even for dessert.

When you’re ready to eat, top with chopped walnuts or pecans, raisins, unsweetened coconut flakes, additional maple syrup, a drizzle of almond butter or peanut butter, or any of your favorite toppings.

A spoonful of Carrot Cake Overnight Oats.

Make Ahead and Storage

To Make Ahead: These overnight oats are perfect to make ahead and eat for breakfast throughout the week. You can double or triple the recipe to have them for a few days.

To Store: Keep these refrigerated and stored in an airtight container, like a Weck or Mason jar for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Can I make overnight oats gluten-free?

You can use certified gluten-free oats to make this recipe gluten-free-friendly.

How much liquid should I use for overnight oats?

Start with a 1:1 ratio of oats and milk and adjust based on your preference. Add more liquid for creamier oats and use less liquid for thicker oats.

Do I need to cook the oats first?

Nope, no cooking required! The oats will soften as they soak up the liquid.

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats topped with greek yogurt and grated carrots.

More Breakfast Recipes with Oats

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