Spring Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal (Printable Version)

Wholesome baked oatmeal squares with grated carrots and warm spices, perfect for a tasty breakfast or snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
03 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1½ cups milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
08 - ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
09 - ¼ cup melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
10 - 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

→ Add-Ins

11 - 1¼ cups finely grated carrots (approximately 2 medium carrots)
12 - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
13 - ⅓ cup raisins (optional)
14 - ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Stir until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup or honey, melted coconut oil or butter, and vanilla extract until well incorporated.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture and stir until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
05 - Fold in grated carrots, chopped nuts, raisins, and shredded coconut if using, maintaining even distribution.
06 - Spread batter evenly into prepared baking dish with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the center is set and edges turn golden brown.
08 - Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing into 9 equal squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like dessert for breakfast but won't leave you crashed by 10 AM.
  • One pan, minimal cleanup, and it keeps in the fridge for almost a week.
  • You can pile in whatever mix-ins you have—nuts, raisins, coconut—or keep it simple.
02 -
  • Don't use instant oats—they'll turn into mush and you'll end up with oatmeal soup instead of squares.
  • The carrots release liquid as they sit, so if you're prepping ahead, don't grate them until right before mixing.
03 -
  • If your kitchen is warm and you're grating carrots ahead, squeeze out some excess moisture with a clean kitchen towel so the batter doesn't get watery.
  • The difference between a tight crumb and a slightly fudgy center comes down to how long you bake—check at 35 minutes and go from there based on your oven.
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