These easy Carrot Cake Overnight Oats are made with chewy rolled oats, crunchy pecans, hearty grated carrots, warm cinnamon and more! The whole family will fall in love with this foolproof make-ahead breakfast. Gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free and vegan with grain-free, paleo, keto & low-carb options.
Crave-Worthy Carrot Cake Overnight Oatmeal
Everyone in our family is crazy about carrot cake, and it’s always nice to start your day with something you love. Enjoying last night’s dessert for breakfast probably isn’t the healthiest thing, so why not transform that treat into a wholesome helping of oatmeal?
These easy carrot cake overnight oats combine creamy, chewy and crunchy textures into one sweet and nutty jar of perfection. They’re so scrumptious, you’ll forget you didn’t make them for dessert in the first place.
All you have to do is combine the ingredients and wait for the mixture to set in the fridge. You don’t even have to cook the oatmeal, but you can easily warm it up if you’d rather not serve it cold. With only 5 minutes of prep work the night beforehand, breakfast will be ready as soon as you are!
Are Overnight Oats Healthy?
No-cook oats are not just a reward for your taste buds – they’re also loaded with a variety of nutrients. From vitamins and minerals to fiber and protein, you really couldn’t ask for a heartier breakfast. The nourishment you get from overnight oats will keep you from having to recharge with a snack before lunchtime.
What You’ll Need
Carrot cake overnight oats are super easy to customize. Let’s start with the basics (see the recipe card below for the full amounts).
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Make sure they’re gluten-free if needed. Do not use quick oats or steel-cut oats.
- Almond Milk: Or whatever kind of milk you have on hand. Feel free to swap out half of the milk for Greek yogurt (dairy-free if needed) for added creaminess.
- Chia Seeds: For that almost pudding-like texture and an added boost of fiber. These can be left out if you really don’t like them.
- Maple Syrup: Or honey. Use your favorite low-carb sweetener for keto oatmeal.
- Ground Cinnamon
- Carrots: Freshly grated.
- Shredded Coconut: You can toast it if you’d like.
- Chopped Pecans
- Raisins: Optional.
How to Make Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
You don’t technically have to make your oatmeal a whole night in advance – it only takes 4 hours for the oats to soak up the liquids.
Add Ingredients to Jar: Add the oats, milk, chia seeds, sweetener, cinnamon, carrots, coconut, pecans and raisins to a bowl or a mason jar.
Combine: Shake the jar well or mix everything together with a spoon.
Chill: Seal the jar and set the mixture in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Enjoy! Sprinkle your oatmeal with additional coconut, pecans and raisins just before serving if desired. Enjoy it cold or microwave it for 20-25 seconds at a time, stirring in between each interval until it reaches your desired temperature.
Tips for Success
Make this recipe even more effortless by checking out these helpful tips. Let’s whip up some stellar oatmeal!
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats Are Key: This recipe won’t work with quick oats or steel-cut oats in place of the rolled oats. These varieties require totally different amounts of liquid.
- No Jar, No Problem: If you don’t have a mason jar ready to go, you can make your oatmeal in any other container with an airtight lid.
- Control the Consistency: You don’t have to use half milk and half yogurt to make a creamier version of carrot cake oatmeal – you could also simply add more milk. Just don’t go overboard or your oatmeal may come out soupy. If you’d like a chunkier consistency, add a little less milk than the recipe calls for.
- Don’t Skimp on the Chill Time: It’s important to chill your oat mixture in the fridge for 4 hours minimum. Consuming oats that aren’t fully soaked can cause discomfort during the digestion process.
Add-In Ideas
Don’t be afraid to build off of this recipe to create your own ideal carrot cake oatmeal. There are tons of tasty add-ins to experiment with!
- Pineapple Chunks
- Nut or Seed Butter
- Mashed Banana
- Hemp Seeds
- Nutmeg
- Shaved White Chocolate
- Sea Salt
- Chopped Walnuts
Storage Instructions
As long as you keep it in an airtight jar or container in the fridge, your no-cook oatmeal will last for up to 5 days. You’re more than welcome to triple or quadruple the recipe, combine the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, then soak and store each serving in its own container.
If you’d like to warm up your oatmeal, make sure it’s in a heat-proof dish. Microwave individual servings for 20-25 seconds at a time, stirring after each burst until the oatmeal is warmed through.
Can I Freeze No-Cook Oatmeal?
Yes, but only if you freeze it right after combining the ingredients. Place each serving of overnight oatmeal into its own freezer-safe container, making sure each container is large enough to leave plenty of room for expansion. Freeze the oatmeal for up to 3 months, thawing it out in the fridge overnight before digging in.
More Easy Make-Ahead Breakfasts to Try
Want more healthy breakfasts you can make in advance? We’ve got you covered.
These easy Carrot Cake Overnight Oats are made with chewy rolled oats, crunchy pecans, hearty grated carrots, warm cinnamon and more! The whole family will fall in love with this foolproof make-ahead breakfast. Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan with keto & low-carb options.
- 1/2 cup gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats For a grain-free, paleo, low carb + keto option, sub with 1/4 cup of roughly chopped coconut flakes and 1/4 cup roughly chopped sliced almonds.
- 2/3 - 3/4 cup almond milk , or your favorite milk for a non-vegan version - you can add half milk and half Greek yogurt for creaminess as well
- 2 tsp chia seeds , hemp seeds or flax seeds work too
- 1 tbsp maple syrup , can sub date syrup, agave, honey (if not vegan) or preferred sugar-free liquid sweetener for lower sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp grated carrots , plus more for topping if desired
- 1/2 tbsp shredded coconut plus more for topping
- 1 tsp chopped pecans or chopped walnuts
- 1/2 tsp raisins , optional plus more for topping
Add oats, milk, chia seeds, sweetener, cinnamon, carrots, coconut, pecans, and raisins to a mason jar or a bowl.
- Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side - you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave for 20-25 seconds at a time, stirring between each interval until warmed through.
- Serve with more milk as desired and sprinkle with additional coconut, pecans and raisins before serving (optional) together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl.
Recipe Video
- To Store: Keep oatmeal refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If you'd like to warm it up, make sure it's in a heat-proof dish. Microwave individual servings for 20-25 seconds at a time, stirring after each burst until warmed through.
- To Freeze: Place each serving of overnight oatmeal into its own freezer-safe container immediately after combining the ingredients. Make sure each container is large enough to leave plenty of room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing oatmeal in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
Did you try this recipe?
Cara T -
Yum! This was sooo good! Love all your overnight oats recipes and this one is a keeper! thanks
Irene -
My kids loved this! We added cranberries too – so good! Thank you!
Helen -
This was delicious! Thank you!