Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal (Printer-friendly)
Oats baked with grated carrots, cinnamon, nuts and maple syrup for warm, sliceable breakfasts or make-ahead brunch.
# What you'll need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups rolled oats
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
03 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
04 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ Fresh Ingredients
06 - 1 ½ cups peeled and grated carrots (about 2-3 medium carrots)
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 ½ cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
09 - ¼ cup melted coconut oil (or unsalted butter)
10 - ⅓ cup maple syrup (or honey)
11 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Add-ins
12 - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
13 - ⅓ cup raisins (optional)
# Method:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Stir until evenly distributed.
03 - Fold the peeled and grated carrots into the dry mixture, tossing gently to coat the shreds evenly with the spiced oat blend.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
05 - Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until fully incorporated. Fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans and raisins if desired.
06 - Spread the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish, pressing gently to create an even, uniform layer across the entire pan.
07 - Bake for 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the center is firmly set, and a knife inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean.
08 - Allow the baked oatmeal to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing into squares. Serve warm, either plain or topped with a dollop of yogurt.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It tastes like dessert but fuels you like a proper breakfast should.
- You can make it on Sunday and eat well through Thursday without thinking.
- The texture walks a perfect line between custardy and chewy.
- Kids and adults both crowd around the baking dish with spoons.
02 -
- Underbaking by five minutes leaves a soggy center that falls apart when you slice it.
- Grating carrots too coarsely creates chewy pockets that some people find unpleasant.
- This reheats perfectly in the microwave for 60 seconds on busy mornings.
03 -
- Squeeze the grated carrots in a clean towel before adding them to remove excess moisture that can make the bake soggy.
- Let the baked oatmeal rest the full ten minutes because patience here means clean slices instead of crumbly scoops.