• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Savor The Spoonful
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
  • Work With Me
    • Portfolio
    • Client Inquiry Form
    • One-on-One Coaching
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Services
  • Coaching
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Services
    • Coaching
    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Home » Breakfast

    Vegan Carrot Cake Oatmeal

    Published: May 17, 2021 · Modified: Dec 8, 2022 by Samantha Ensinger · 8 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Dessert for breakfast? Yes, please! This vegan carrot cake oatmeal makes for such a warm and cozy start to the morning. It's super filling, full of flavor, and not to mention pretty healthy, too! Taking less than 20 minutes to make, this vegan carrot cake oatmeal is great for busy mornings or an evening snack!

    carrot cake oatmeal in a bowl with raisins and walnuts

    While I love making this recipe in the fall, you can make it any time of year! The flavors taste good no matter what, and you don't have to be vegan to enjoy this oatmeal.

    Ingredients to make the carrot cake oatmeal

    Something great about this vegan carrot cake oatmeal is it includes a bunch of healthy, whole-food ingredients. Most of them you'll already have in your kitchen, which makes things even easier!

    ingredients for vegan carrot cake oatmeal

    ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk: You can use any non-dairy milk you like, but unsweetened almond milk is a great neutral flavor to cook the oats.

    ¼ cup grated carrots: The main ingredient here! It wouldn't be carrot cake oatmeal without the carrots. This ingredient adds a lot of fiber that makes the oatmeal so filling.

    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Cinnamon adds such a cozy flavor to the oats and really gives it that "carrot cake" feeling!

    1 teaspoon allspice: Optional, but another spice that pairs well with the cinnamon and adds some extra flavor. You can use ½ teaspoon if you want cinnamon to be the stronger flavor

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a touch of sweetness and yummy flavor.

    1 teaspoon maple extract: This is optional too, but adds some extra maple flavor if you want that strong, cozy, "carrot cake" taste.

    1 tablespoon pure maple syrup: This is the sweetener used for the oatmeal and makes this recipe refined sugar-free!

    ⅛ teaspoon salt: helps to balance the flavors and bring out the key tastes, complementing the sweetness of the recipe

    ⅓ cup old-fashioned oats: It's not oatmeal without the oats! Old fashioned oats are the best option for this recipe because they are thicker and coarser than quick oats, which makes the carrot cake oatmeal super thick and creamy.

    2 tablespoons crushed and drained pineapple: this might seem odd, but it adds sweetness, flavor, and complements the carrot flavors in the recipe. It also keeps the oatmeal moist and creamy.

    optional ingredients

    1 tablespoon chopped walnuts: Adds some crunch, protein, and healthy fats to this recipe.

    1 tablespoon raisins: A classic carrot cake staple item! Not all of us are raisin fans, though, so you may omit them if you prefer.

    how to make vegan carrot cake oatmeal

    It doesn't require much to make this vegan carrot cake oatmeal. Taking less than 20 minutes, you can have a warm, cozy bowl of oatmeal ready in no time.

    a collage of four process shots, showing the ingredients of the oatmeal cooking in a saucepan

    Step 1: Simmer milk, carrot, spices, vanilla, and syrup

    Add the milk, grated carrot, spices, vanilla and maple extract, and maple syrup to a medium saucepan. Stir the mixture over medium-high heat and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, coming to a slight boil. This cooks the carrots and makes them soft, so you don't bite into a bunch of raw carrots in the oats. The spices, maple syrup, vanilla, and maple extract are able to blend with the almond milk and provides a flavorful base for the oats.

    Step 2: add the oats, pineapple, walnuts, and raisins

    Once the milky mixture has simmered for a few minutes, reduce to low-medium heat and add in the oats, crushed pineapple, walnuts, and raisins. Stir thoroughly to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the oats have thickened as desired. Be sure to stir occasionally every few minutes to keep the flavors incorporated.

    Step 3: transfer to bowl and serve

    Once the oats have reached the desired thickness, turn off the stove and transfer the cooked oats to a small bowl. Top with additional grated carrot, walnuts, and raisins if you'd like. You can add a drizzle of maple syrup, too, if you prefer more sweetness. I think the oats are plenty sweet without the extra syrup, but it depends on your personal preference!

    syrup pouring into the bowl of vegan carrot cake oatmeal

    extra tips for making the oatmeal

    What can I use instead of crushed pineapple? You can use unsweetened applesauce in place of the crushed pineapple if you prefer!

    I don't like my oatmeal very sweet. That's okay! You can omit all the maple syrup in the recipe if you prefer a natural, more savory flavor. The carrot, raisins, and pineapple add some natural sweetness, so the maple syrup might not be necessary for everyone!

    How many carrots do I need? It takes about 6-8 baby carrots to get ¼ cup grated carrot. Depending on how big or small the carrots are, you may need a couple more or less!

    I'm not vegan, can I use real milk? Absolutely! This recipe tastes great with non-dairy milk like almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, and oat milk, but you are welcome to use cow's milk. It will be creamy and delicious either way!

    What can I use instead of raisins? I get it, not everyone loves raisins like I do! You can leave the raisins out completely, or replace them with dried cranberries, additional walnuts, or coconut flakes.

    Can I use steel-cut oats instead? Yes, you can! It will take a lot longer to cook steel-cut oats (20-25 minutes instead of 8-10), but if you prefer the thick texture of steel-cut oats, this recipe works just fine that way!

    a big spoonful of healthy carrot cake oatmeal

    If you make this vegan carrot cake oatmeal, please let me know by leaving a review below! I'd love to hear how you liked it. Snap a photo and tag me on Instagram, @savorthespoonful, and I'll check out what you made!

    Recipe

    vegan carrot cake oatmeal

    Vegan Carrot Cake Oatmeal

    This vegan carrot cake oatmeal is full of warm spices that give such a cozy flavor to start the morning off well. Super filling and super delicous, you can't go wrong with this healthy dessert breakfast!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 8 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 person
    Calories 435 kcal

    Equipment

    • Medium Saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk (or any non-dairy milk)
    • ¼ cup grated carrots (about 6-8 baby carrots)
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon allspice (optional)
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon maple extract (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ cup old fashioned oats (or quick oats)
    • 2 tablespoon crushed and drained pineapple (or substitute unsweeteend applesauce)
    • 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
    • 1 tablespoon raisins (optional)

    Optional Toppings

    • 1 tablespoon grated carrot
    • 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
    • 1 tablespoon raisins
    • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (for a sweeter taste)

    Instructions
     

    • Add almond milk, grated carrot, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, maple extract, maple syrup, and salt to a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat on the stove for about 3 minutes or until a light boil begins. Stir occasionaly.
    • Once warm, reduce to low-medium heat and add the oats, pineapple, walnuts, and raisins. Stir to combine. Let the oatmeal simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until desired thickness is achieved.
    • Transfer the cooked oatmeal to a small bowl. Serve plain, or top with additional carrot, walnuts, and raisins. For a sweeter taste, add an additional drizzle of maple syrup. Serve and enjoy immediately.

    Notes

    Old fashioned oats work well for this recipe because they are coarser and thicker than quick oats. However, quick oats will work too, but may not take as long to cook.
    Any non-dairy milk can be used for this recipe.
    In place of walnuts, feel free to use pecans, cashews, almonds, or your favorite nut.
    You may omit the nuts or raisins if you prefer.
    Instead of crushed pineapple, you can use unsweetened applesauce if desired.
    Share on Facebook Share by Email Pin Recipe
    Mixed Berry Chia Seed Jam »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shilpa says

      September 13, 2021 at 11:14 pm

      5 stars
      This is perfect for a weekend breakfast.. looks delicious

      Reply
    2. Sarag says

      September 18, 2021 at 1:09 pm

      5 stars
      Carrot cake for breakfast? Yes please! Healthy and delicious

      Reply
    3. Sue says

      September 18, 2021 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      I always feel so healthy when I have oatmeal for breakfast. Making it carrot cake flavored is brilliant!

      Reply
    4. Kayla DiMaggio says

      September 18, 2021 at 6:30 pm

      5 stars
      I love carrot cake so it was just natural that I should try this. It was so delicious and amazing! Love great grab and go breakfasts!

      Reply
    5. Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady says

      September 18, 2021 at 9:05 pm

      5 stars
      This is a version of oatmeal I intend on trying. Carrot cake is one of my favourite desserts! I love the added health benefits of the carrot and pineapple.

      Reply
    6. Elizabeth Swoish says

      September 18, 2021 at 10:21 pm

      5 stars
      Carrot cake is my favorite so I had to try this. Absolutely delicious and filling! Thank you!

      Reply
    7. Gabriela Herrera says

      September 18, 2021 at 11:43 pm

      5 stars
      This Carrot Cake Oatmeal is my winter time go to every year. It is so heartwarming.

      Reply
    8. Luca says

      September 19, 2021 at 6:15 pm

      5 stars
      What an original idea for oatmeal! Love carrot cake

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Samantha

    Hey there! I created Savor The Spoonful during my sophomore year of college with the goal of sharing dietary-friendly recipes that are truly delicious. I'm passionate about inspiring others to live a life without food rules and dieting. That means enjoying desserts like these, and having fun doing it! Learn more.

    Trending Fall Recipes

    • snickerdoodles on a wire tray with cinnamon sticks.
      Easy Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar
    • vegan pumpkin bread sitting on a gray tray with walnuts on top of the bread.
      Vegan Pumpkin Banana Bread
    • a cinnamon roll donut on parchment paper with a vanilla glaze on top
      Cinnamon Roll Donuts
    • Apple Vegan Cake

    Get an exclusive recipe!

    Sign up for our newsletter and get an exclusive recipe delivered to your inbox.

    Fruit-Forward Recipes

    • two lemon blueberry blondies stacked and shown from the side, with blueberries inside.
      Lemon Blueberry Blondies
    • a stack of peach cobbler pancakes on a plate with fresh peaches and maple syrup on top.
      Vegan Peach Cobbler Pancakes
    • A loaf of four ingredient banana bread on a cutting board, sliced into multiple slices, showing soft texture.
      Healthy 4-Ingredient Banana Bread
    • gluten-free blackberry cobbler in a clear dish with ice cream.
      Easy Gluten-Free Blackberry Cobbler

    Let's Work Together!

    Need food or product photography, videography, recipe development, sponsored content, or something else? Let's partner together. Learn more about my services.

    Most Popular Recipes

    • many peanut butter oatmeal balls on parchment paper, shown from above.
      3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls (Vegan)
    • vegan lemon cookies on a tray.
      Vegan Lemon Cookies
    • a stack of three fudgy red velvet cake mix brownies on a tray.
      Fudgy Red Velvet Cake Mix Brownies (Easy!)
    • almond flour peanut butter cookies on parchment paper
      3-Ingredient Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies

    1:1 Coaching

    I offer tailored, one-on-one coaching for entry-level food bloggers and food photographers wanting to turn their passion into a revenue-generating business. Get on the waitlist!

    Gluten-Free Favorites

    • four brownie blondies turned on their side, showing the chocolate blondie swirl of the bars.
      Brownie Blondies (Gluten-Free)
    • many green matcha scones on parchment paper with glaze.
      Matcha Scones
    • thumbprint cookies with icing in the center.
      Thumbprint Cookies With Icing
    • close up of peanut butter blossoms on a wire tray with glistening hershey kisses.
      3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms (Quick & Easy!)

    Media Kit Template

    I created a customizable media kit template to make it super easy for you to pitch brands and land partnerships! Get the media kit template.

    Popular Vegan Treats

    • multiple vegan biscoff cookies on a wire tray.
      Biscoff Butter Cookies (Vegan)
    • vegan pound cake with fresh strawberries and blueberries on top.
      Gluten Free Vegan Pound Cake
    • a stack of vegan funfetti sugar cookies.
      Vegan Funfetti Sugar Cookies (No Chill)
    • Vegan Cinnamon Pop Tarts

    Share Your Bakes!

    Did you make a recipe? Remember to leave a 5-star review and tag me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok when you share!

    Quick Breakfast Recipes

    • a stack of oat milk pancakes with a forkful missing, showing the fluffy texture inside.
      Fluffy Oat Milk Pancakes (Dairy-Free)
    • Two jars of cinnamon roll overnight oats prepared with a cinnamon swirl layer and cinnamon stick on top.
      Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats
    • three jars of oatmeal, one with strawberries, one with blueberries, and one with peanut butter
      Protein Overnight Oats
    • a fruity pebble donut with icing and fruity pebbles on top.
      Fruity Pebbles Donuts

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    about

    • about
    • recipes
    • resources
    • portfolio

    disclaimers

    • privacy policy
    • terms & conditions
    • accessibility statement
    • copyright policy

    contact

    • contact
    • work with me
    • client inquiry form
    • one-on-one coaching
    • media kit template
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Mail
    • TikTok

    Copyright © 2023 Samantha Ensinger | Savor The Spoonful