Carrot Cake Overnight Oats (Printable)

Creamy overnight oats infused with classic carrot cake flavors—grated carrot, warm spices, maple sweetness, and crunchy nuts make for a wholesome breakfast.

# What You'll Need:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
03 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or plant-based yogurt)
04 - 2 tablespoons chia seeds
05 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

→ Mix-ins

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

→ Optional Toppings

13 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 teaspoons maple syrup
15 - Additional nuts, carrots, or coconut flakes

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl or large jar, combine rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup. Stir well until fully incorporated.
02 - Add grated carrot, walnuts or pecans, raisins, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until thoroughly combined and spices are evenly distributed.
03 - Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6-8 hours) to allow the oats and chia to absorb the liquid and flavors fully.
04 - Before serving, prepare the optional frosting by combining softened cream cheese and maple syrup in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
05 - Stir the oats in the morning. Divide between two bowls or jars. Top with cream cheese mixture, extra nuts, grated carrot, or coconut flakes as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Tastes like dessert but fuels your morning with fiber and protein
  • Prep once and wake up to breakfast waiting for you
02 -
  • Grating carrots the night before can make them taste slightly bitter, so grate fresh when possible
  • The chia seeds need at least 6 hours to fully gel, otherwise the texture remains watery
03 -
  • Use the smaller side of your box grater for carrots, almost a mince, so they virtually disappear into the oats
  • Warm your cream cheese slightly for 10 seconds if it will not whisk smoothly