Carrot Cake Overnight Oats (Printable)
Spiced carrot cake-inspired overnight oats with walnuts, raisins, and cream cheese topping for a quick grab-and-go morning meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Oat 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, grated carrot, or coconut flakes
# Steps:
01 - In a medium mixing bowl or large mason jar, combine the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup. Stir until evenly incorporated.
02 - Add the grated carrot, chopped walnuts or pecans, raisins, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt to the oat mixture. Fold together until all ingredients are uniformly distributed.
03 - Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or seal the jar with a lid. Refrigerate for at least 6 to 8 hours, allowing the oats and chia seeds to fully absorb the liquid and develop their flavors.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese and maple syrup until completely smooth and lump-free. Set aside.
05 - Remove the oats from the refrigerator and give them a thorough stir. Divide the mixture evenly between two bowls or jars.
06 - Drizzle the cream cheese frosting over each portion. Garnish with extra chopped nuts, additional grated carrot, or coconut flakes as desired. Serve chilled.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It genuinely tastes like carrot cake but you get to call it breakfast without any guilt whatsoever.
- Everything comes together in one bowl with zero cooking, so even your laziest evening self can handle it.
02 -
- Under grating the carrot leaves unwelcome chewy shreds, so take the extra moment to grate it as finely as your patience allows.
- Chia seeds need those full eight hours to properly thicken, so resist the urge to peek and stir halfway through the night.
03 -
- Toast your nuts in a dry skillet for two minutes before adding them and you will unlock a depth of flavor most people never bother with.
- Let the cream cheese sit out for twenty minutes before whisking so it blends silky smooth instead of clumping.