Made with steel-cut oats, shredded carrots, walnuts, and crushed pineapple, this Carrot Cake Oatmeal mimics the flavors of decadent carrot cake, made healthy enough for breakfast.
Looking for more baked oatmeal recipes? You will love my recipes for Banana Baked Oatmeal, Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal, Sweet Potato Oatmeal, and Peanut Butter & Jelly Baked Oatmeal Cups.
When you can eat cake for breakfast, you know it's going to be a good day!
And while Carrot Cake Baked 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.
From the shredded carrots to the warming spices, Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal is rich and decadent, yet this baked oatmeal is full of protein, fiber, and nutrients to power you through the day.
Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal is a delicious and healthy way to start any day!
Notes on Ingredients
- Steel-Cut Oats: Use 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. If you don't have coconut milk or don't care for it, any other variety of milk or non-dairy milk can be substituted.
- 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: Use bagged shredded carrots, or for finely shredded carrots, grate on a box grater yourself.
- 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. But feel free to omit, with minimal change, if you need an egg-free recipe.
- Coconut Oil: A little bit of coconut oil adds to the luxuriousness of this oatmeal. Use melted butter in its place or to keep it lower in fat, use unsweetened applesauce.
Kristen's Tip
If you have leftover pineapple and coconut milk, use it to make a Pina Colada Smoothie.
Recipe Modifications
- Dairy-Free: This recipe is already naturally dairy-free as written, as long as you opt to use coconut oil and coconut milk, instead of subbing them out with melted butter or regular milk.
- 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 (not butter), and omit the egg for a vegan-friendly Carrot Cake Oatmeal.
Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Instead of baking Carrot Cake Oatmeal, you can also prepare it 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
After cooling slightly, store any leftover oatmeal in a sealed container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat individual servings as desired in heat-safe bowls in the microwave.
More Oatmeal Recipes
- Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
- Slow Cooker Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Banana Baked Oatmeal
- Baked Sweet Potato Oatmeal
- Healthy Overnight Oats
- 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.
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!!
Cathy
Yum, Yum I loved carrot cake and this would be the perfect breakfast for me! 🙂 Another great recipe! I would love for you to share this sweet creation over at my link party Making Memories Mondays going on now! 🙂
Cathy
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Cathy! I will check out the party now 🙂
Cathy
I am so so glad Kristen that you came to the party! 🙂 Love this recipe and it's been requested again in my house! I really appreciate you sharing your latest creation at Making Memories Mondays!
Cathy
Kristen Chidsey
YEA!!! That is what I love to hear Cathy. You just made my day!
Kimberly
This looks incredible! I'm drooling right now. Pinned and tweeted. We are so thrilled to have you at our party. Please stop by on Monday at 7, so we can see your amazing projects. Lou Lou Girls
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Kimberly!
Erica @ Coming Up Roses
I don't think I've seen more perfect looking oatmeal in my life. I always choke it down because "it's healthy" and I want to start my morning on a feel-good note, but MAN this would make my mornings a million times better! Who doesn't love carrot cake?!?!
cominguprosestheblog.com
Kristen Chidsey
Erica, I am so happy to give you an option that you will enjoy!! I can't wait to hear if you like this!
J @ A Hot Southern Mess
Oh this sounds too good to be true! Yum yum yum! I will have to give this recipe a go sometime very very soon! Thanks so much for sharing this with us 🙂
Join us weekly for the #CelebrateSouthern link up! You don't have to be a southerner to join! http://www.ahotsouthernmess.com
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks! I hope you try this out and love it!
Catherine
Such a cute post, Kristen. A thoughtful and very creative way of treating your mom to something she loves without the guilt! And it looks wonderful. xo, Catherine
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Catherine!
Sheryl @Lady Behind The Curtain
Can't wait to try this! Looks delicious.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Sheryl!