Carrot Cake Overnight Oats {Healthy + Meal Prep}

These Carrot Cake Overnight Oats are a healthy way to enjoy the flavours of your favourite cake without any of the guilt!

If you love carrot cake, you’re going to be obsessed with these overnight oats. They’ve got all those yummy flavours you’d expect from the classic dessert, but in a healthy breakfast you can meal prep.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Perfect for meal prep: Make a few jars ahead and you’ve got an easy grab-and-go breakfast ready for busy mornings.
• Healthy but satisfying: Made with wholesome ingredients that keep you full and energized without feeling heavy.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Rolled oats – Large flake oats or steel cut oats will work well. Quick oats aren’t ideal as they can make the oats mushy.
• Coconut milk – Any non-dairy milk will work. You can also use 2% milk, but the nutritional info will vary.
• Greek yogurt – Use plain Greek yogurt to reduce added sugar. For a dairy-free option, simply leave it out.
• Vanilla extract – Maple syrup or honey can be used instead, though the flavour will be slightly different.
• Carrot – Carrot is the star of this recipe so it’s pretty essential.
• Pineapple – Frozen or canned pineapple both work well. If using canned, rinse to remove excess sugar.
• Shredded coconut – Sweetened or unsweetened shredded coconut can be used.
• Chopped walnuts (optional) – Walnuts or pecans add classic carrot cake texture. For a nut-free option, try flax seeds or pumpkin seeds
• Cinnamon – Recommended but can also be left out if needed.
• Nutmeg – Can also be left out if needed.

How to make carrot cake overnight oats

1. Assemble all of your ingredients.
2. Mix everything together in a large bowl.
3. Divide the mixture into four mason jars.
4. Chill overnight then serve and enjoy!

Making this recipe vegan

To make this recipe vegan, replace or leave out the Greek yogurt. The Greek yogurt is included to up the protein count, so feel free to leave it out altogether or swap for a non-dairy protein option like hemp hearts, chia seeds or vegan protein powder.

Frequently asked questions

Are overnight oats healthy?

Overnight oats are a healthy and easy breakfast. Since you’re able to add in a variety of toppings and ingredients into the base of the oats, you can boost the nutritional ingredients to your liking. For example, you can add in ingredients like protein powder, Greek yogurt, chia seeds or hemp seeds into the base to add protein to your diet. Besides the nutritional add-ins, overnight oats on their own are high in fibre and filled with rich nutrients like magnesium and potassium.

Which type of oats are best for overnight oats?

You can use rolled oats, large flake oats or steel cut oats for this recipe – it all depends on preference. Steel cut oats will be chewier and have a slightly different flavour than rolled oats. Quick oats will become too mushy.

Do I eat them cold or heated up?

You can eat your overnight oats either cold or heated up. They’re traditionally eaten cold, but if you want to warm them up, just stick them in the microwave for about a minute until heated through.

Storing and reheating

Storing: Store the prepared overnight oats in mason jars or airtight containers in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight before eating. They’ll keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days so they’re perfect for meal prep.

Reheating: Not necessary, but if you want to eat it warm, you can heat it in the microwave for about 1 minute until warmed through.

Freezing: Freeze the oat mixture in freezer safe containers for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Defrost in the fridge overnight and enjoy.

Meal prep tools for this recipe

• If you’re looking for vegan protein sources you can get some hemp hearts here.
• Here is the protein powder I typically use!
• These are the mason jars I use.