Easy Carrot Cake Overnight Oats Recipe
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This carrot cake overnight oats recipe is the perfect grab-and-go breakfast for spring. Made with yogurt and whole milk, it’s rich, creamy, and incredibly easy. Sweet carrots, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of coconut give this whole-grain breakfast a classic carrot cake flavor.
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Spring is finally here, and I am ready for all of the sunshine, bright flavors, and outdoor fun.
After a chilly winter in North Carolina (our beach town even saw 4 inches of snow!), we’re soaking up the sunshine and celebrating with our favorite spring recipes.
For those indulgent spring cravings, we’ve been loving sourdough carrot cake and strawberry cake. But since we can’t eat cake every day (or can we?), I’ve been whipping up this simple carrot cake overnight oats recipe instead.
Spring cooking, at least for me, has to be simple so I can make space for spring activities.
Don’t get me wrong, I love making sourdough bagels or fresh-milled cheese grits on a slow morning.
But spring mornings aren’t slow for us. If I’m going to have the time to run my daughter to preschool, work in the greenhouse, and start our cut flower garden and herb garden, I can’t be in the kitchen cooking as much.
So I lean on nearly effortless recipes like sourdough discard pancakes and overnight oats.
In just a few minutes, I whip up a few jars and pop them in the fridge. Then, I’m back outside to get my hands in the dirt or enjoy our local beaches.
It’s easy, delicious, and perfect for busy spring mornings! You’re going to love them. Happy spring, y’all!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick: This carrot cake overnight oats recipe comes together in just 5 minutes. Then, they just have to soak while you sleep. So easy!
Spring Flavors: After a full season of winter breakfasts, this recipe feels like a fresh breath of spring with its bright carrots and light flavors.
Grab-and-Go: Jars of overnight oats are a perfect no-fuss option for busy mornings. I like to pair my overnight oats with Instant Pot boiled eggs for a quick, well-rounded breakfast.
Simple Ingredients: This recipe combines simple ingredients and pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
Versatile: This overnight oats recipe is forgiving, so feel free to tweak the ingredients to suit your taste.
Batch Prep: Overnight oats are so easy to batch prep. If you have the time, I also recommend batch-prepping homemade cottage cheese so you can have a few easy breakfasts on hand.
Ingredients
Oatmeal: Use rolled oats for the best texture. Steel-cut oats work, too, but need more liquid and soaking time. Skip quick oats though; they get too mushy.
Carrots: For the best flavor, use fresh, hand-grated carrots. Store-bought shredded carrots work but aren’t as flavorful.
Yogurt: I used full-fat Greek yogurt, but you can use any yogurt you have on hand.
Get the full list of ingredients and measurements on the printable recipe card below.
Tools You May Need
Mason jars: For individual servings, use pint jars. Make sure you have airtight lids and rings or reusable mason jar lids.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the oatmeal, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to a pint-sized mason jar and stir to combine.
Step 2: Top the oatmeal mixture with the carrots, yogurt, maple syrup, raisins, coconut, and walnuts.
Step 3: Pour the milk and vanilla into the jar. Stir to combine thoroughly.
Step 4: Add the lid to the jar and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Step 5: Serve as is for a grab-and-go breakfast, or add a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of coconut, walnuts, white chocolate chips, chia seeds, or your other favorite toppings.
Tips for Success
Make Individual Jars: I tried mixing everything in one bowl and portioning it into jars, but it was messy and hard to get even amounts. It’s much easier to make them in individual jars from the start.
Adjust the Liquid: I prefer my overnight oats with a little extra milk. But you can reduce the milk to 1/2 cup for thicker overnight oats.
Hand-Grate the Carrots: A food processor can make your carrots watery, so I recommend grating them by hand instead.
Use Rolled Oats: Quick oats absorb less water and will become mushy after soaking. For the best results, make sure you use rolled oats.
Storing & Meal Prep
- Store extra jars of carrot cake overnight oats in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Make multiple jars for grab-and-go breakfasts throughout the week.
- Store them in mason jars with a tight lid so you can easily toss them in your bag or a lunch box.
FAQs
Yes, but they will require extra liquid and longer soaking time. For steel-cut oats, use 1 part oatmeal to 2 parts milk.
Definitely! After soaking them overnight, you can warm them on the stove or in the microwave.
Sure! Mix in a dollop of cream cheese before serving.
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Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Equipment
- 1 Pint-sized mason jar with lid
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 – 1 tablespoon raisins, optional
- 1/2 – 1 tablespoon shredded coconut, optional
- 1/2 – 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts, optional
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the oatmeal, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to a pint-sized mason jar and stir to combine.1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, pinch of salt
- Top the oatmeal mixture with the carrots, yogurt, maple syrup, raisins, coconut, and walnuts.1/4 cup carrots, 1/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt, 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/2 – 1 tablespoon raisins, 1/2 – 1 tablespoon shredded coconut, 1/2 – 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- Pour the milk and vanilla into the jar. Stir to thoroughly combine.3/4 cup whole milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the lid to the jar and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Serve as is for a grab-and-go breakfast, or add a dollop of yogurt and sprinkle of coconut, walnuts, white chocolate chips, chia seeds, or your other favorite toppings.
Notes
- This recipe makes one pint-sized jar. For individual servings, fill separate jars. Or double/triple up the batch in a large jar.
- I tried mixing everything in one bowl and portioning it into jars, but it was messy and hard to get even amounts. It’s much easier to make them in individual jars from the start.
- I prefer my overnight oats with a little extra milk. But you can reduce the milk to 1/2 cup for thicker overnight oats.
- A food processor can make your carrots watery, so I recommend grating them by hand instead.
- Quick oats absorb less water and will become mushy after soaking. For the best results, make sure you use rolled oats.