Made with steel-cut oats, shredded carrots, walnuts, and crushed pineapple, Carrot Cake Oatmeal mimics the flavors of a decadent carrot cake, yet is suitable for a wholesome breakfast!
When you can eat cake for breakfast, you know it is going to be a good day! And while Carrot Cake Oatmeal is not exactly cake, this recipe for baked oatmeal features the classic flavors of classic carrot cake or carrot cake muffins, baked into wholesome, hearty oatmeal.
Reasons to Love Carrot Cake Oatmeal
- Wholesome Ingredients. Thanks to the steel-cut oats, carrots, eggs, and nuts, this oatmeal is packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients to power you through your day!
- Amazing Flavor. Made with warming spices, rich coconut milk, and maple syrup, Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal is rich and decadent!
- Simple Prep. Just like my recipes for Banana Baked Oatmeal, Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal, and Baked Sweet Potato Oatmeal, Carrot Cake Oatmeal is a dump-and-bake oatmeal recipe that bakes up into a cake-like consistency.
Notes on Ingredients
- Steel-Cut Oats: This recipe uses regular steel-cut oats, NOT quick-cook steel-cut oats or rolled oats.
- Coconut Milk: Use canned full-fat or reduced-fat coconut milk for the best flavor in this baked oatmeal.
- Crushed Pineapple: For this recipe, use a 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple that is canned in 100% pineapple juice. Drain off the pineapple, using the juice and ½ cup of the crushed pineapple for the oatmeal recipe.
- Carrots: For the best consistency, grate large carrots using a box grater. Bagged shredded carrots can be used, but are much thicker and won't soften as easily when baked into the oatmeal.
- Maple Syrup: Use only 100% pure maple syrup. Using pancake syrup will result in artificial-tasting oatmeal.
- Eggs: The eggs in this recipe help the oatmeal to set up like cake.
- Coconut Oil: A little bit of coconut oil adds to the luxuriousness of this oatmeal.
Recipe Modifications
- Replace Coconut Milk: If you don't have coconut milk or don't care for it, any other variety of milk or non-dairy milk can be used in its place.
- No Coconut Oil? Use melted butter in its place or to keep it lower in fat, use unsweetened applesauce.
- Egg-Free: Simply omit the egg from the recipe. The egg helps the oatmeal fluff up a bit and hold together, like a cake, but it is completely unnecessary.
- Nut-Free: Omit the walnuts and be sure to use coconut milk or regular milk, not almond milk.
- Vegan-Friendly: Be sure to use non-dairy milk, and coconut oil, and omit the egg for a vegan-friendly Carrot Cake Oatmeal.
Kristen's Tip: If you have leftover pineapple and coconut milk, use it to make a Pina Colada Smoothie or cook Instant Pot Chicken Breast.
How to Make Carrot Cake Oatmeal
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Combine Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, mix oats, coconut milk, pineapple juice, additional coconut milk or water, eggs, vanilla, crushed pineapple, walnuts, maple syrup, coconut oil, carrots, ginger, salt, and cinnamon.
Bake Oatmeal. Bake the carrot cake oatmeal in a greased baking dish until set. dish.
- Serve. I love serving baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal warm with a dollop of yogurt, a drizzle of maple syrup, and crushed nuts.
Slow Cooker Instructions
Instead of baking Carrot Cake Oatmeal, you can opt to prepare this recipe using a slow cooker. To do so, combine the ingredients as the recipe states, and then pour the oat mixture into a greased 6-quart slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until the oats are tender.
Storage
- Refrigerate: After cooling slightly, store any leftover oatmeal in a sealed container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheat: Reheat individual servings as desired in heat-safe bowls in the microwave.
More Delicious Oatmeal Recipes
- Chocolate Oatmeal
- Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
- Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal
- Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Instant Pot Oatmeal
If you tried this Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal, be sure to leave a comment and review.
Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Oatmeal
- 1 cup steel-cut oats NO EXCEPTIONS!
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- 20 ounces canned crushed pineapple in 100% pineapple juice
- ½ cup water or additional coconut milk
- 2 large eggs whisked
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup grated carrots
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 ℉. Grease a 2 quart or 9x13 baking dish.
- Over a large glass measuring cup, use a fine-mesh strainer to drain the can of crushed pineapple. Measure out 1 cup of liquid, adding additional water to the measuring cup if needed. Measure out ½ cup of the crushed pineapple to use in the oatmeal as well.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oats, coconut milk, pineapple juice, additional coconut milk or water, eggs, vanilla, crushed pineapple, walnuts, maple syrup, coconut oil, carrots, ginger, salt, and cinnamon together. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake the oatmeal for 45-50 minutes, or until set.
- Serve oatmeal warm with a dollop of yogurt, nuts, and additional maple syrup if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally shared in 2015 but updated in 2021 and 2022 with new tips and photos.
Ashlee
Hi! Could this be frozen??
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Ashlee! Yes, this can be frozen. I would recommend slicing the oatmeal, wrapping in parchment paper, and then freezing in a large freezer-bag. You can unwrap each slice and place in heat-safe bowl. Reheat it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through. Add milk to thin if desired.
Sam
This oatmeal was delicious and so easy to make. Loved it!
Jenn
OMG it's the oatmeal of my dreams! dessert in oatmeal form and I'm so here for it!
Nancy
I served this for brunch today (Thanksgiving). Delicious! An easy way to feed a crowd. I think in the future, I will test making it at night to bake the next morning.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed Nancy! Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeff
There are two different icing instructions listed: The first says to mix the greek yogurt w/the maple syrup. The proper recipe says to mix the yogurt w/the remaining vanilla and serve with maple syrup. Which is more delicious? Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jeff, sorry for the confusion--I will update this now. I personally prefer to mix the maple syrup in the yogurt for the best taste. Enjoy!
Jeff
Thanks for the timely reply -- it's still in the oven!
Liz
I can't wait to make this! I'm like your mom and LOVE carrot cake. Hope you had an uneventful trip home. It was a joy to finally meet you! xo
Kristen Chidsey
Liz, it was so wonderful meeting you in person. You are such a kind and generous person! And I hope you love this oatmeal just as much as my mom does!!