Carrot Cake Overnight Oats (Printer View)

Creamy oats with grated carrot and warm spices, chilled overnight for a wholesome morning boost.

# Components:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
04 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
05 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Carrot Cake Mix-Ins

06 - 3/4 cup finely grated carrot (about 1 medium carrot)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - Pinch of salt
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans
12 - 2 tablespoons raisins

→ Optional Toppings

13 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
14 - 1 tablespoon milk
15 - 2 teaspoons maple syrup
16 - Additional nuts, shredded coconut, or grated carrot as desired

# Method steps:

01 - In a medium bowl or jar, mix oats, milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract thoroughly.
02 - Fold grated carrot, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, walnuts or pecans, and raisins into the oat mixture until evenly combined.
03 - Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 8 hours to allow flavors to meld and oats to soften.
04 - Whisk cream cheese, milk, and maple syrup in a small bowl until smooth to create a creamy topping.
05 - Stir the oats before serving and garnish with the cream cheese drizzle, extra nuts, shredded coconut, or grated carrot as preferred.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get to enjoy carrot cake flavors without any guilt—the spices make it taste like a treat, but it's packed with fiber and protein.
  • Overnight oats mean zero cooking and zero cleanup, which somehow makes breakfast taste even better.
  • Everything blends overnight so the flavors actually taste more intense the next day than they do in the jar.
02 -
  • Don't use finely shredded carrot from a package—the moisture content is different and it'll make your oats watery by morning, so take the two minutes to grate it fresh.
  • Eight hours is the minimum, but up to 48 hours in the fridge is fine and actually tastes better because the spices have even more time to bloom.
03 -
  • Toast your walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet for two minutes before chopping—the warm, nutty taste against creamy oats is a noticeable upgrade for minimal effort.
  • Use cream cheese straight from the fridge and let it sit for five minutes before whisking with milk so it blends smoothly into a frosting.
Return