Carrot Cake Overnight Oats (Print out)

Creamy oats combined with grated carrots, warm spices, and tangy yogurt for a make-ahead wholesome meal.

# 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 tbsp maple syrup or honey
05 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

→ Carrot Cake Mix-Ins

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

→ Optional Toppings

13 - 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened
14 - 1 tbsp milk
15 - 2 tsp maple syrup
16 - Additional nuts, shredded coconut, or grated carrot

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl or jar, mix rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined.
02 - Fold in finely grated carrot, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, chopped walnuts or pecans, and raisins until evenly distributed.
03 - Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 8 hours to allow flavors to meld and oats to soften.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, milk, and maple syrup until smooth to create a frosting drizzle.
05 - Stir the oats before serving and top with cream cheese drizzle, extra nuts, shredded coconut, or additional grated carrot as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely better the next morning, which means you're actually ahead of schedule instead of rushing.
  • You get the satisfaction of carrot cake flavors without any guilt or complicated baking.
  • The spices make your kitchen smell like autumn, even if it's the middle of summer.
02 -
  • The texture transforms overnight—what seems too thick in the morning is perfect because the oats keep absorbing liquid, so resist the urge to add milk before chilling.
  • If you use fresh grated carrot instead of pre-shredded, it stays brighter and sweeter, but if you're in a rush, pre-shredded works fine and honestly tastes the same.
03 -
  • Grate your carrot on the finest side of the box grater for sweetness and even distribution—larger pieces get tough and chewy overnight.
  • Taste and adjust sweetness before serving because the overnight soak concentrates flavors; you might need less drizzle than you think.
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