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The easiest prep-ahead breakfast, now in carrot cake form! Carrot Cake Overnight Oats are loaded with shredded carrots, walnuts, chia seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg – PLUS my not-so-secret ingredient for perfect carrot cake tasting oats: applesauce!
Jump to Recipe
Overnight oats are nothing new to the Internet – but I’ve decided that they need to keep on coming because they’re just that delicious and versatile. They’re a meal preppers dream.
A short list of great qualities about overnight oats:
- 100% prep ahead friendly! – Actually, they aren’t even good unless prepped ahead. MEAL PREP JACKPOT.
- Healthier than other options – not a bagel or pastry. Also not real cake (sadly).
- Uber customizable – if you don’t like nuts then skip ’em. Add more sweetener, or less. It’s all about what you want!
- Mason jar friendly – I like to put things in mason jars because they don’t leak and they are not plastic.
- No heat required – usually making oats requires cooking them. Not today!!
Overnight Oatmeal Trends
Have you noticed the evolution of overnight oats on the Internet in the past few years? I swear at first, it was just oats.
Then people started adding chia seeds. I’m 100% on board with that one.
Currently, it’s Greek yogurt. I haven’t tried that yet, but I’m seeing more and more recipes that either call for it as a topping, or mix it right into the recipe.
The next trend will be: APPLESAUCE. Okay, no it probably won’t. But it’s really good in this recipe. I noticed that some carrot cake recipes call for applesauce.
Indeed, any baked good I’ve ever made calling for applesauce was a total hit, so why not try it in my oats?
Verdict: It’s a YES. The applesauce made the carrot cake overnight oats a tad sweeter, without adding more maple syrup.
They also provided some additional moisture for the chia seeds to soak into. It was an all around good decision.
I also tried this recipe without chia seeds to check if they were a necessary ingredient. I’m going to have to say that’s also a yes. They absorb extra moisture and give the oats a creamy component that you just can’t understand until you try it (I was skeptical at first too).
What you need to make carrot cake overnight oats:
- old fashioned rolled oats – necessary for the overnight oats
- carrot – 1 carrot will make about 4 servings
- chia seeds – makes the oats creamier AND good for you
- vanilla, cinnamon & nutmeg – adds to the carrot cake flavor
- unsweetened applesauce – adds sweetness without more maple syrup
- unsweetened vanilla almond milk – low in calories and adds yummy flavor
- chopped walnuts – a carrot cake-y topping that adds a nice crunch
If you’ve got extra carrots or applesauce hanging around, you simply must give this recipe a try. I had everything else in my pantry already.
Mason jars not required! Lasts up to 5 days in the fridge.
More prep ahead breakfast ideas from Project Meal Plan:
- Make-Ahead Freezer Friendly Breakfast Burritos
- Best Ground Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties
- Southwest Muffin Tin Hash Brown Egg Cups
Did you make this? I want to see how it turned out! Tag me in your social media post @projectmealplan and use #projectmealplan when you share!
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
The easiest prep-ahead breakfast, now in carrot cake form! Carrot Cake Overnight Oats are loaded with shredded carrots, walnuts, chia seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg – PLUS my not-so-secret ingredient: applesauce!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated carrot
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mason jar or other container with lid and stir until well mixed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. Store in the fridge and enjoy within 5 days.
Equipment
OXO 2-Cup Angled Measuring Cup
Buy Now āPint Sized Wide Mouth Mason Jars
Buy Now ā(affiliate link!)
Notes
Add more or less maple syrup depending on how sweet you like your oats. Add more almond milk if you like a thinner consistency of oats. Make additional batches of the recipe to prep breakfast for the next few days.
Nutrition information estimated with MyFitnessPal.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 379
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Protein: 10g
Thanks for checking out the Carrot Cake Overnight Oats! Please tag me or use #projectmealplan on social media to share your overnight oats creations!
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