If you love carrot cake but want a healthy breakfast option, these Easy & Healthy High Protein Carrot Cake Overnight Oats are the perfect make-ahead breakfast. This carrot cake overnight oats recipe is creamy, full of warm cinnamon flavor, packed with chia seeds, protein, whole grains, and fresh carrots, and perfect for busy mornings.
These carrot cake oats taste like your favorite dessert but are made with nutritious ingredients and are a great source of fiber, healthy fats, and grams of protein to help keep blood sugar stable and keep you full longer.
If you love these easy and healthy carrot cake overnight oats, here are a few of my other favorite easy meal prep breakfasts: Tex-Mex Breakfast Burritos, McGriddle Bites, Cottage Cheese Strawberry Muffins.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Perfect make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings
- High protein overnight oats
- Tastes like a slice of carrot cake
- Easy meal prep breakfast
- Great source of fiber and healthy fats
Ingredients
- Quick oats - The base of the overnight oats that softens overnight and creates a creamy consistency.
- Vanilla protein powder - Adds protein and vanilla flavor to make these protein oats more filling.
- Chia seeds - Helps thicken the oats and adds fiber, healthy fats, and omega fatty acids.
- Shredded carrots - Adds natural sweetness, texture, and classic carrot cake flavor.
- Raisins - Adds subtle sweetness and chewy texture.
- Cinnamon - Adds warm cinnamon flavor and classic carrot cake taste.
- Milk of choice - Helps soften the oats and create a creamy texture; use almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or dairy milk.
- Vanilla extract - Adds flavor and sweetness.
- Maple syrup - Adds a little sweetness; adjust sweetness level to preference.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Ingredients- In a mason jar, glass jar, or airtight container, add quick oats, protein powder, chia seeds, shredded carrots, raisins, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
- Add the Wet Ingredients- Pour in milk of choice, vanilla extract, and maple syrup if using. Mix thoroughly, scraping the sides so chia seeds don't stick.
- Chill Overnight- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. The longer it sits, the creamier the texture will be.
- Add the Toppings- In the next morning, add vanilla Greek yogurt, crushed walnuts, and a dash of cinnamon. Serve and enjoy!
Substitutions
- Chia Seed Substitute: Use ground flaxseed in an equal amount instead of chia seeds.
- Maple Syrup Substitute: Use honey, agave syrup, or date syrup for sweetness.
- Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free oats to make this carrot cake overnight oats recipe gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: Use non-dairy milk like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk and use dairy-free yogurt for topping.
- Vegan: Use plant-based protein powder, non-dairy milk, maple syrup instead of honey, and vegan yogurt to make this recipe vegan.
Variations
- Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Oats - Add a spoonful of cream cheese or vegan cream cheese on top.
- Extra Protein Oats - Add more protein powder or Greek yogurt for more grams of protein.
- Crunchy Nut Oats - Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or crunchy nuts on top.
- Pumpkin Spice Oats - Add pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon
- Carrot Cake Banana Oats - Add mashed banana for banana bread overnight oats flavor.
Here are a few of my favorite variations of over night oats, Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats , High Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats , Tiramisu Overnight Oats
Equipment
- Mason jar or glass jars
- Airtight container
- Mixing spoon or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Box grater or food processor for shredding carrots
- Meal prep containers
Storage
- Store overnight oats in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- These oats are perfect for meal prep and make-ahead breakfast.
- If the oats become too thick the next day, add a splash of milk and stir to thin.
- Best eaten cold, but you can warm them in the microwave if preferred.
Christinas Dietitian Tip
Adding protein powder, chia seeds, oats, and nuts makes these carrot cake overnight oats a balanced breakfast with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. This combination helps support stable blood sugar and keeps you full longer throughout the morning. For even more protein, add Greek yogurt or extra protein powder.
FAQ
These carrot cake overnight oats should sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best for the creamiest texture.
Yes, old-fashioned oats or rolled oats work well in this overnight oats recipe. The texture will be slightly thicker and chewier.
No, you can skip the protein powder or replace it with Greek yogurt or vegan yogurt.
Yes, overnight oats are perfect for meal prep. You can make multiple jars and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Breakfast
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Meal Prep
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Easy & Healthy High Protein Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Equipment
- Mason jar or glass jars
- Airtight container
- Mixing spoon or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Box grater or food processor for shredding carrots
- Meal prep Containers
Ingredients
- ⅓ Cup Gluten-free Quick Oats
- ½ scoop or 2 tablespoons Vanilla Protein Powder I used Garden of Life 100% Whey Protein
- 2 Tablespoons Chia Seeds
- ⅓ cup shredded carrots
- 1 tablespoon raisins
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract or Paste
- 1 Teaspoon maple syrup skip if you want to reduce sugar or like less sweet
- 2 tablespoons vanilla greek yogurt optional topping
- 1 tablespoon crushed walnuts optional topping
- Dash of Cinnamon optional topping
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Ingredients- In a mason jar, glass jar, or airtight container, add quick oats, protein powder, chia seeds, shredded carrots, raisins, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
- Add the Wet Ingredients- Pour in milk of choice, vanilla extract, and maple syrup if using. Mix thoroughly, scraping the sides so chia seeds don't stick.
- Chill Overnight- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. The longer it sits, the creamier the texture will be.
- Add the Toppings- In the next morning, add vanilla Greek yogurt, crushed walnuts, and a dash of cinnamon.Serve and enjoy!
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