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Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Name: Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 245 min
Ingredients: ½ cup quick oats; ½ cup non-dairy milk; ¼ cup freshly grated carrots; 2 tablespoons maple syrup; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; non-dairy yogurt (optional for topping); chopped walnuts (optional for topping)

by Megan Murphy Updated on Apr 25, 2026

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5 from 1 rating

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Carrot cake for breakfast? Sign me up! These carrot cake overnight oats are everything you love about carrot cake, transformed into an easy, healthy, make-ahead breakfast that take just 5 minutes to prep.

For more carrot cake flavors, try my No Bake Carrot Cake, Carrot Cake Energy Balls, Carrot Cake Coffee Cake, and Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins next!

Healthy carrot cake overnight oats with grated carrots, cinnamon, nutmeg, vegan yogurt, and walnuts

Quick Look: Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Ready In: 5 minutes to prep + chill overnight
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: ~302 per serving (without toppings)
Key Ingredients: Oats, carrots, non-dairy milk, cinnamon
Dietary Info: Vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, high-protein option, meal-prep friendly
Why You’ll Love It: Tastes like carrot cake in a jar! Healthy, easy, and perfect for busy mornings
Expert Tip: Add a splash of milk in the morning if your oats get too thick overnight

Carrot cake for breakfast? Don’t mind if I do! These carrot cake overnight oats taste like my vegan and gluten-free carrot cake, just in breakfast form!

If you’re new to overnight oats, this is a great place to start! They’re quick, meal-prep friendly, and the flavor options are endless. I rotate this recipe alongside other flavors like blueberry muffin overnight oats and pistachio overnight oats for easy breakfasts that come together in minutes.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These overnight oats are everything you love about carrot cake, transformed into a healthy, make-ahead breakfast.

Tastes like carrot cake for breakfast: Warm spices, soft carrots, and just the right amount of natural sweetness
Only 5 minutes of prep: Mix, chill, and wake up to breakfast already made
Perfect for meal prep: Make a double or triple batch to enjoy all week
Nourishing + satisfying: Fiber-rich oats + an optional protein boost will keep you full all morning

Ingredients Needed

These healthy carrot cake overnight oats are made with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.

Carrot cake overnight oats ingredients including oats, grated carrots, non-dairy milk, maple syrup, and spices

Quick Oats: I’ve tested all kinds of oats and found that quick oats give the creamiest texture when making overnight oats.
Grated Carrots: Freshly grated carrots is key for moisture and flavor. Same reason I recommend it in my healthy carrot cake muffins and carrot cake energy balls
Non-Dairy Milk: Almond, oat, soy — any milk works here.
Maple Syrup: Naturally sweetens the oats without refined sugar.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a cozy flavor.
Cinnamon + Nutmeg: The same cozy, warm spices I use in my vegan and gluten-free carrot cake coffee cake.
Toppings: I love dairy-free yogurt + chopped walnuts for that classic carrot cake finish. Just like the topping on my no-bake carrot cake.

Scroll down to the recipe card to get the full recipe with measurements!

Variations & Substitutions

Sweetener: Swap the maple syrup for agave.
Add protein powder: Make it a high-protein breakfast by mixing in your favorite protein powder (add extra milk as needed).
Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats.
Extra mix-ins: Add raisins, shredded coconut, or a spoonful of homemade almond butter.
Make it nut-free: Skip the walnuts and top with granola instead.

How to Make Vegan Carrot Cake Overnight Oats (Step-by-Step)

Mixing carrot cake overnight oats with oats, grated carrots, milk, and spices

Step 1: Add quick oats, grated carrots, non-dairy milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a jar or bowl. Mix until everything is fully combined.

Healthy carrot cake overnight oats before chilling

Step 2: Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours.

Step 3: The next morning, add your desired toppings. I topped mine with vegan yogurt, chopped walnuts, and shredded carrots.

Close up of carrot cake overnight oats with creamy yogurt, walnuts, and cinnamon

Step 4: Dig in!

Megan’s Tips

Use freshly grated carrots: Don’t use pre-shredded carrots. They’re too dry and won’t give you that soft, moist texture from freshly grated carrots. The same principle applies when using zucchini in my vegan and gluten-free zucchini muffins.
Adjust the consistency: If your oats are too thick in the morning, just add a splash of milk and stir.
Sweeten to taste: This recipe isn’t overly sweet, so if you prefer a sweeter flavor, add more maple syrup, or drizzle on top when serving.
Wait to add your toppings: For the best texture, wait to add walnuts or granola until just before serving.