These Carrot Cake Overnight Oats have all the cozy flavors of carrot cake, with freshly grated carrots, warm cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, raisins, vanilla, and a touch of maple syrup. All tucked into a creamy jar of rolled oats and protein-packed Greek yogurt. They’re perfect for meal prepping for busy mornings or you simply want to make a breakfast that feels a little more special.

The best part of these overnight oats is that you don’t need to turn on the oven or spend your morning cooking. Just mix everything the night before, pop it in the fridge, and you’ll have a tasty breakfast ready-to-eat in the morning.

They’re made with wholesome ingredients that you can feel good about. Plus, they’re an easy way to sneak veggies into your morning routine.

I usually eat these oats cold, straight from the fridge topped with chopped pecans. But you can warm them up if you prefer.

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Why You’ll Love These Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Easy, make-ahead breakfast. Simply mix everything together in a jar or container, then store it in the fridge overnight. You’ll have a delicious and wholesome breakfast ready when you wake up. No cooking required!

All the flavors of classic carrot cake. These creamy overnight oats have all the cozy flavors of carrot cake, including warm cinnamon, freshly grated carrots, sweet maple syrup, and crunchy pecans. It’s like eating cake for breakfast!

Made with wholesome ingredients. Rolled oats, chia seeds, protein-packed Greek yogurt, carrots, and warm spices – these overnight oats are a delicious breakfast treat.

Easy to customize. Use dairy-free milk, add raisins, chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch, a little shredded coconut or white chocolate chips to make it your own.

Perfect for busy mornings. This is an easy grab-and-go breakfast in a jar that requires only a few minutes of prep work the night before. They’re great for when you have a busy week ahead and need a wholesome and satisfying breakfast.

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats Ingredients

Rolled oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best choice for overnight oats because they absorb the milk and yogurt while they soften in the fridge. They hold their shape and create a creamy texture without getting mushy.

Grated carrots: I recommend using finely grated carrots for these overnight oats. They soften nicely in the fridge, add natural sweetness, and provide a serving of veggies with your breakfast.

Milk: I use vanilla almond milk because I like the flavor. You can use cow’s milk or your favorite dairy-free milk to make these overnight oats.

Greek yogurt: I use 0% plain Greek yogurt. To make it creamier, you can use 2% Greek yogurt if desired.

If you prefer it sweeter, use vanilla flavored Greek yogurt.

Chia seeds: Chia seeds absorb liquid as they sit in the fridge and create a thicker consistency while adding fiber and healthy fats.

If you’re new to eating chia seeds, start with 1 or 2 teaspoons for this recipe, then work your way up to 3 teaspoons.

Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup adds just enough sweetness without needing to use refined sugar. You can use honey if you prefer.

Warm spices: I use ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground allspice (or nutmeg) to give these overnight oats that cozy carrot cake flavor.

Vanilla extract: This adds a bakery-style flavor that makes these overnight oats taste even more delicious.

Fresh orange zest: This adds a bright, citrusy flavor that balances the sweetness of the maple syrup and carrots while pairing nicely with the warm cinnamon.

A little goes a long way, so use just a touch of fresh orange zest or leave it out if you don’t like the taste.

Salt: Add just a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and bring out all the flavors in these overnight oats.

Raisins: These are a classic addition to carrot cake. They add natural sweetness and a delicious chewy texture. Use regular or golden raisins.

Optional toppings: In the morning, you can add chopped walnuts or pecans, shredded coconut, white chocolate chips, more raisins, more grated carrots, more maple syrup, more Greek yogurt, whipped cream cheese, or a dollop of whipped cream.

How to make carrot cake overnight oats

Combine the ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the milk, Greek yogurt, grated carrots, vanilla extract, pure maple syrup (or honey if using), and fresh orange zest (if using).

Add the dry ingredients. Stir in the rolled oats, chia seeds, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg (or allspice if using), a pinch of salt, and raisins.

Refrigerate overnight. Pour the mixture into a glass jar or airtight container with a lid. Place in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight.

Add your favorite toppings and enjoy! In the morning, give it a good stir and add chopped pecans or walnuts, along with your favorite toppings.

Tips for making carrot cake overnight oats

Make it dairy-free or vegan. Use your favorite plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk.

Replace the Greek yogurt with dairy-free yogurt, such as almond, soy, or coconut yogurt. Choose a thick or creamy yogurt for the best texture.

Adjust the sweetness. Add more maple syrup or honey. You can also add more raisins, white chocolate chips, sweetened shredded coconut, or use vanilla flavored yogurt.

Add more protein. Use high-protein milk, high-protein yogurt, stir in a spoonful of nut butter, or stir in a scoop of vanilla protein powder. You may need to add extra milk to keep the oats creamy.

Make it extra creamy. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of softened cream cheese with the Greek yogurt. This add richness to the overnight oats which makes them taste like the classic cream cheese frosting on carrot cake.

How to store overnight oats

How long do overnight oats last in the fridge? Overnight oats last for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. They’re great for meal prep so you can make a couple of servings ahead of time and have breakfast ready to go in the morning.

Can you eat overnight oats without heating them? Yes, you can enjoy these overnight oats cold, straight from the fridge. The oats soften as they soak in the milk and yogurt. This is how I like to eat them.

If you prefer a warm breakfast, you can heat these overnight oats in the microwave or in a small saucepan on the stove, stirring occasionally until warmed through.

If you plan to warm up these overnight oats, I recommend making them without the Greek yogurt and stirring it in after.

Can you use quick oats instead of rolled oats? Yes, you can use quick oats instead of rolled oats. Since quick oats are smaller, they will absorb liquid faster and create a softer, mushier overnight oats.

Can you make carrot cake overnight oats without yogurt? Yes, you can make these overnight oats without yogurt.

While I have not tested this recipe without yogurt, you’ll need to add extra milk to help the oats soften and make them creamy. Use 2/3 cup milk, then adjust the consistency in the morning.

Do you need to cook the carrots first? No, you don’t need to cook the carrots. They key is to peel your carrots and finely grate them just before mixing with your oats. This helps them soften slightly as they soak in the milk and yogurt overnight.

Can you make overnight oats ahead for the whole week? Yes, you can prep these overnight oats ahead of time. I recommend making each serving with just the dry ingredients.

Then the night before, stir in the wet ingredients and let them chill in the fridge overnight.

Keep the toppings separate and add them just before serving to keep them crisp.

More wholesome breakfast recipes to try:

Please let me know how you like these carrot cake overnight oats recipe in the comments below! Your feedback and review encourages me to keep creating new and yummy recipes. I hope you love these overnight oats as much as I do.