Carrot Cake Overnight Oats (Print Version)

Creamy oats blended with grated carrots, warm spices, and a touch of yogurt, ready after overnight chilling.

# What You'll Need:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
04 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
05 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Carrot Cake Mix-Ins

06 - 3/4 cup finely grated carrot (about 1 medium carrot)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - Pinch of salt
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans
12 - 2 tablespoons raisins

→ Optional Toppings

13 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
14 - 1 tablespoon milk
15 - 2 teaspoons maple syrup
16 - Additional nuts, shredded coconut, or grated carrot as desired

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl or jar, mix oats, milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined.
02 - Fold in grated carrot, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, chopped nuts, and raisins evenly into the oat mixture.
03 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours to allow flavors to meld and oats to soften.
04 - Whisk together softened cream cheese, milk, and maple syrup in a small bowl until smooth.
05 - Stir the oats and serve topped with cream cheese drizzle, additional nuts, shredded coconut, or grated carrot as preferred.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get that indulgent carrot cake taste without the guilt or the 6 AM baking session.
  • It's genuinely ready when you are—just grab and eat, which transforms chaotic mornings into calm ones.
  • The spices and carrots actually taste better after sitting overnight, like the flavors decided to become friends while you slept.
02 -
  • Grate your carrot finely and squeeze out excess moisture with a paper towel before adding it, or you'll end up with watery oats instead of creamy ones—I learned this the hard way on a Monday morning.
  • The oats will thicken considerably overnight; if yours end up too thick by morning, just add a splash more milk and stir until you reach your preferred consistency.
03 -
  • Use a mason jar instead of a bowl—it doubles as your serving vessel, which means one less dish to wash and built-in portion control.
  • Squeeze the moisture from your grated carrot and keep your spices fresh; stale cinnamon won't deliver the same warmth and presence you're counting on.
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