Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal (Printable)
Baked oats with grated carrots, warm spices, raisins and walnuts — creamy, lightly golden and ready in under an hour.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Grains & Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups rolled oats
02 - 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
03 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ Fruits, Vegetables & Nuts
06 - 1½ cups finely grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
07 - ½ cup raisins or chopped dates
08 - ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 2 cups milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
10 - 2 large eggs
11 - ⅓ cup pure maple syrup or honey
12 - 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
13 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Stir until evenly distributed.
03 - Add the finely grated carrots, raisins (or chopped dates), and chopped walnuts to the dry mixture. Toss until the fruits and nuts are evenly dispersed throughout.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, maple syrup (or honey), melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
05 - Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined—avoid overmixing.
06 - Pour the oatmeal batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer using a spatula.
07 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is lightly golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.
08 - Allow the baked oatmeal to cool for 10 minutes before slicing into portions. Serve warm on its own, or top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of maple syrup.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It tastes like carrot cake but is legitimately healthy enough to eat every morning without a single regret.
- The entire thing comes together in one bowl with zero fuss, which means less dishes and more time to enjoy your coffee.
02 -
- Underbaking by even five minutes leaves the center wet and gummy, so look for a slight firmness when you press the middle before pulling it from the oven.
- Letting it cool fully before refrigerating overnight actually improves the texture and makes the slices hold their shape beautifully for meal prep.
03 -
- Grate the carrots on the finest holes of your box grater so they practically disappear into the bake, which is especially handy if you are serving picky eaters.
- Toasting the walnuts in a dry skillet for three minutes before adding them deepens their flavor dramatically and takes almost no extra effort.