Carrot Cake Overnight Oats Recipe

Do you need some new tasty and quick ideas for breakfast? This carrot cake overnight oats recipe is a new take on a morning classic. It’s a healthier version of carrot cake where you can have your cake and eat it too!

carrot cake overnight oat jars

Type of Oats to Use

rolled oats closeup

For overnight oats, we prefer using rolled oats (or old-fashioned oats) because they keep their al dente texture whereas quick oats will get soggy after sitting in the container with the liquid awhile. You can also use steel-cut oats, but they require double the amount of liquid. Rolled oats seem like the goldilocks choice between the three varieties. 

Type of Milk to Use

almond milk in measuring cup

You can use any variety of milk for overnight oats: dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc. Rolled oats have a 1:1 ratio of oats to milk. If you want a creamier consistency, you also have the option of adding or substituting part of the milk portion with yogurt. For carrot cake overnight oats, we prefer using almond milk because it’s low in fat and its neutral flavor balances the carrot and spices. 

Topping Ideas

overnight oat topping ideas

The toppings are our favorite part about this carrot cake overnight oats recipe! Here are some ideas on what to top yours with just as you’re ready to serve it:

  • Greek yogurt
  • Shredded unsweetened coconut
  • Roasted chopped pecans
  • Roasted chopped walnuts 
  • Shredded carrots

If you want a wider range of the best oatmeal toppings, check out our post here.

Cup Options & How to Assemble

divided oats into jars

This recipe fits into two 12 oz mason jars and is one large serving of overnight oats or four smaller servings. We like using mason jars because they’re reusable and are great for single-serving options. 

Since this recipe has a lot of ingredients, we found that it was easier to mix all the ingredients in a bowl and then transfer them to a mason jar. In the morning, add your favorite toppings and eat right out of the mason jar. 

Don’t just stop at carrot cake overnight oats, there is a myriad of ways to dress up your overnight oats. If you want more oat options for breakfast you can also make baked oatmeal breakfast bars, oatmeal waffles, egg white oatmeal, and more.

Are Overnight Oats a Fattening Snack?

Eating overnight oats has a lot of beneficial nutrients like fiber, zinc, iron, and many more antioxidants and vitamins. However, depending on what you add to your overnight oats can be heavy on fat. Substitute almond milk for cow’s milk for a lower fat option. Instead of using cane sugar as a sweetener, you can use maple syrup, honey, or monk fruit sweetener.

For our version of chocolate peanut butter overnight oats, yes there’s added fat from the peanut butter but it’s one we welcome in small quantities.

Why Shouldn’t You Use Quick Oats for Overnight Oats?

Quick oats do exactly what they’re named for and will quickly soak up the liquid in your overnight oats recipe. This means they will get soggy faster and can give you mushy overnight oats in the morning. If you want more texture, use rolled oats.

carrot cake overnight oats
carrot cake overnight oats recipe
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5 from 2 votes

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Make this carrot cake overnight oat recipe if you love a quick and tasty breakfast.
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword easy breakfast, overnight oats
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Fridging 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 4 small servings
Calories 292kcal

Equipment

  • peeler
  • grater or food processor
  • Mixing bowl
  • spatula
  • 2 (12 oz) mason jars (or other containers)
  • measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  • 1 c rolled oats
  • 1 c grated carrots
  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ¼ c almond milk or other milk you prefer (add more if necessary)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
  • 2 tbsp walnuts chopped, optional topping
  • 2 tbsp shredded coconut unsweetened, optional topping
  • ½ c yogurt optional topping

Instructions

  • Wash your carrots and peel the skin.
    peeled carrots on cutting board
  • Use a box grater or food processor to grate the carrots.
    shredded carrot in food processor
  • In a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients except the toppings and mix thoroughly.
    pouring almond milk into overnight oats
  • Transfer to a mason jar and close the lid. Place in the fridge overnight.
    divided oats into jars
  • Top with chopped walnuts, shredded coconut, and/or greek yogurt.
    overnight oat topping ideas

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 480mg | Potassium: 373mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 5382IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 287mg | Iron: 2mg