Jump To Recipeby Liz Thomson
March 20, 2024This post may contain affiliate links.
This easy baked oatmeal recipe is packed with carrot cake flavors! It’s studded with sweet raisins, coconut flakes, and crunchy pecans for a healthy breakfast that tastes like dessert!
If you love carrot cake, you have to try this baked oatmeal. After making this cinnamon roll baked oatmeal and this chocolate peanut butter baked oatmeal, I clearly have dessert flavors on my mind! This one turned out so delicious, and the raisins, coconut, and pecans really give this recipe a fun carrot cake taste! If you’re looking for a single serving option, try my carrot cake overnight oats instead.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Mashed banana– This adds natural sweetness and helps bind the oatmeal together.
Eggs– These add structure as well as protein.
Soy or almond milk– You can use any kind of milk you like, but I used unsweetened soy milk to add some protein.
Vanilla extract– A splash of vanilla extract adds sweetness and flavor.
Maple syrup– This is the main sweetener, but you can substitute with agave or honey if you prefer.
Old-fashioned rolled oats– Rolled oats are the base of the dish, providing a hearty and wholesome texture. Use certified gluten-free oats if you have an allergy. Do not substitute steel-cut oats as they cook differently. If you’re looking for a recipe with steel-cut oats, try my baked steel cut oats instead.
Ground cinnamon & ginger– Ground cinnamon and ginger add the characteristic flavor associated with carrot cake.
Baking powder– This acts as a leavening agent to help the oatmeal rise and achieve a softer texture.
Salt– A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor by balancing the sweetness and adding depth.
Unsweetened coconut flakes– This adds texture and also helps create a signature carrot cake flavor. I used unsweetened coconut flakes, but you can use sweetened coconut for more of a dessert flavor if desired.
Pecans– Chopped pecans add crunch and nutty flavor as well as healthy fats and protein.
Raisins– Another classic carrot cake ingredient, these add sweetness and a nice texture.
Grated carrots– You can’t have carrot cake oatmeal without carrots! I prefer shredding whole carrots rather than buying pre-shredded carrots, but either one works.
Can I use regular 2% milk? Don’t have plant milk!
Should I spray the baking dish first? Can I just use regular old fashioned oats or quick oats?
I recommend spraying it just to be safe. Regular old fashioned oats work best!