Super easy, protein carrot cake overnight oats have creamy Greek yogurt, milk, vanilla, and all the carrot cake toppings. Easy to meal prep!
This recipe makes 2 servings, to make it easy for weekday breakfast, especially around Easter. We LOVE having the raisins, coconut, and pecans on top but it's super easy to add or subtract what you want! It's got a similar taste to Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats but the spices and toppings are different.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats have been a long time favorite of ours, and it's easy to customize Vanilla Overnight Oats with any kind of fruit, but we wanted some Easter themed breakfast ideas and this one is delicious and healthy at the same time!
I love to make overnight oats with homemade greek yogurt (it's super easy to make in the instant pot) because there are no additives or added artificial sweeteners.
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What To Expect
- Taste: Cinnamon, a little ginger and nutmeg, and creamy from the greek yogurt and milk. The carrots are grated finely so it's not much of a texture difference from regular oatmeal.
- Ease: It's as simple as measuring out the ingredients and mixing them all together, then refrigerating until ready to eat.
- Time: Takes less than 5 minutes to mix together, then you can let them rest for a couple of hours or overnight before eating.
🛒 Key Ingredients
- Oats - Old fashioned regular oats are best for this recipe, they make the best texture. I've found that instant or quick oats are too mushy for overnight oats recipes, and steel cut don't have the right texture and don't absorb enough liquid.
- Honey - used as the sweetener, it's pretty mild and doesn't impact flavor too much. I like to use this or agave nectar which doesn't have as strong of a taste as honey.
- Greek Yogurt - I use plain but a vanilla version would work as well. The greek yogurt adds protein and helps to make the oats nice and creamy!
- Protein Powder - I use vanilla protein powder for these, it's nice protein boost with a little added flavor too. You can leave it out if you wish, or use your favorite brand.
- Carrots - I use 2-3 finely grated baby carrots to make 2 Tablespoons (about 30 grams) per serving but you can easily add more if you'd like!
- Coconut - I use sweetened coconut flakes but unsweetened work fine, or you can leave it out if you don't like coconut.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
✏️ Substitutions & Variations
- Honey can easily be switched out with agave nectar (another natural sweetener) or pure maple syrup.
- Greek Yogurt can be swapped out with regular plain yogurt, or a plant based yogurt.
- Nuts - we like pecans or walnuts best but you could swap in your preferred nut. I wouldn't recommend peanuts, they'd taste a little strong in these oats and the flavors might clash.
- Milk - I usually use dairy but any plant based milk will work for a vegan option.
- Add a teaspoon or two of chia seeds, hemp hearts, or oat bran for added fiber and protein.
🧑🍳 Instructions
- Step 1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well, until there are no pockets of spices or protein powder left.
- Step 2. Pour into individual serving containers and top with additional optional toppings like raisins, nuts, shredded coconut, etc.
- Step 3. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight before eating. You can serve cold or warmed up in the microwave. It's also delicious drizzled with a little extra honey or maple syrup. Enjoy!
📌 Top Tips
- Wait to add chopped pecans until ready to serve in the morning, sometimes they can turn soft if left in the oats overnight. Whatever your preference is!
- Make sure to grate the carrots finely, that way the texture is perfect for the overnight oats.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
The right oat to liquid ratio. I like to use a half cup of oats to ½ cup of milk and usually ⅓ to ½ cup of greek yogurt with it to make it creamy and for a nice protein boost.
Usually! As long as the sweeteners are used in moderation, most versions of overnight oats have health benefits.
Yes, you'll want to mix everything together well before refrigerating. Otherwise the flavors won't mix well, and the oats might not soak up the liquid properly.
Yes! We make these up to 1 week in advance to last the week for breakfast, or as long as the yogurt and milk last before they expire.
🥣 More Breakfast Recipes With Oats
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📝 Printable Recipe
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned oats 95 g
- ⅔ cup greek yogurt 168 g
- 1 cup your choice milk 240 mL
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder 20 g
- ¼ cup finely grated carrots (3-4 baby carrots)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup 39 g
- 2 Tablespoons shredded coconut 12 g
- 2 Tablespoons raisins 20 g
- pinch of ginger and nutmeg
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well, until there are no pockets of spices or protein powder left.
- Pour into individual serving containers and top with additional optional toppings like raisins, nuts, shredded coconut, etc.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight before eating. You can serve cold or warmed up in the microwave. It's also delicious drizzled with a little extra honey or maple syrup. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Sara!
Registered Nurse by day, food blogger by weekend. Perfect dip tester & snack quester. I love short walks on the beach and long naps. Sharing my love for food, one bite at a time.
Sara says
So so good in the mornings or even dessert. I like that it makes 2 so I can have them different mornings already made.