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Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Carrot cake overnight oats combine rolled oats, finely grated carrots, warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and creamy Greek yogurt into a nutritious, dessert-inspired make-ahead breakfast.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 2 jars
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Oats & Base Liquid
  • 1 cup rolled oats old-fashioned, certified gluten-free if needed
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or oat milk, dairy milk, or soy milk
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt whole milk or 2%, adds protein and creaminess
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds for pudding-like gel and omega-3s
Carrot Cake Core & Spices
  • 3/4 cup fresh carrots peeled and finely grated on the small holes of a box grater
  • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup or raw honey, adjust to sweetness taste
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon warm bakery spice
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg freshly grated preferred
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger adds warm gentle zing
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract bakery aroma
  • 1/8 tsp fine sea salt balances sweetness
  • 2 tbsp golden raisins or chopped dates optional, for sweet bursts
Toppings & Greek Yogurt Swirl
  • 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts roughly chopped for crunch
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut toasted or raw
  • 4 tbsp Greek yogurt mixed with 1 tsp maple syrup for cream cheese style topping

Equipment

  • Box grater (fine shredding side) essential for soft, tender carrot texture
  • 16 oz wide-mouth mason jars with airtight lids for portioning and meal prep
  • Glass mixing bowl for combining wet and dry ingredients
  • Silicone spatula or wooden spoon for folding ingredients evenly

Method
 

  1. Wash and peel 2 medium carrots. Using the small, fine shredding holes of a stainless steel box grater, finely grate until you have 3/4 cup of light, fluffy carrot shreds. Set aside.
    Finely grating fresh carrots on the small holes of a stainless steel box grater into a bowl
  2. In a medium glass bowl, combine the unsweetened almond milk, Greek yogurt, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and fine sea salt. Whisk vigorously until the yogurt is smoothly dissolved and the spices are evenly suspended.
    Whisking milk, Greek yogurt, pure maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a glass bowl
  3. Add the old-fashioned rolled oats, chia seeds, finely grated carrots, and raisins (if using) into the spiced yogurt liquid. Use a silicone spatula to fold and stir thoroughly until every oat flake is coated and the bright orange carrots are distributed uniformly.
    Folding rolled oats, chia seeds, and finely grated carrots into the spiced yogurt liquid
  4. Divide the oat mixture evenly between two 16-ounce wide-mouth glass mason jars (or sealable airtight meal-prep containers). Use a spoon to gently tap the jars down so there are no large air pockets.
    Spoon portioning creamy carrot cake overnight oats mixture into clean glass mason jars
  5. Secure the airtight lids tightly onto each jar. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight (8 to 12 hours), allowing the oats to absorb the spiced liquid and thicken into a luscious pudding.
    Sealed glass mason jars with carrot cake overnight oats chilling on a refrigerator shelf
  6. In the morning, unseal the jars and give the oats a gentle stir. If the mixture is thicker than you prefer, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra milk. Crown each jar with a dollop of maple-sweetened Greek yogurt, crunchy toasted pecans, shredded coconut, and a light dusting of cinnamon.
    Vintage silver spoon scooping creamy carrot cake overnight oats crowned with Greek yogurt and pecans

Notes

Storage: Store sealed in airtight mason jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Do not add crunchy toasted nuts until right before serving to keep them crisp.
Carrot Texture: Always grate carrots on the fine side of a box grater. Never use bagged pre-shredded matchstick carrots, which are too dry and thick to soften overnight.
Warm Option: These oats can be enjoyed warm. Microwave unsealed jar without toppings for 45 to 60 seconds, stir in an extra splash of milk, then add your toppings.
Vegan / Dairy-Free: Swap Greek yogurt for dairy-free coconut yogurt or almond yogurt, and ensure your milk is plant-based (almond, oat, or soy).