Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
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Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal is made with carrots, bananas, and oats mixed with spices and topped off with a crunchy and sweet walnut flax seed topping. It’s an easy to make breakfast that will fill you up!
Breakfast is one of those meals that I struggle with. For years I would just go to school and get a few pieces of toast for under a dollar but my school no longer serves toast for breakfast. Occasionally I do still have mini cinnamon rolls or pumpkin bread at school when I eat with my students.
I’ve been on a healthy eating kick lately and that means I’ve been trying to eat a breakfast that is better for me and fills me up. One thing I’ve been making is baked oatmeal. I’m not a huge oatmeal fan but baking the oatmeal gives it a much better texture plus I can make it on Sunday and eat it all week long.
What is baked oatmeal?
Baked oatmeal is a delicious breakfast dish made from oats, milk, eggs, sweeteners, and various flavorings like fruits, nuts, and spices. The ingredients are mixed together and baked in the oven until set. While it’s similar to traditional oatmeal it has a firmer texture due to baking. Baked oatmeal is versatile and can be customized with a variety of different types of fruit, nuts, and spices. It’s a hearty breakfast option that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for meal prepping for the week ahead.
I’ve made several baked oatmeal recipes before. The first one I ever made, Baked Oatmeal with Berries, is still my favorite. In the fall I really like Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal. For a sweet and tart breakfast Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal is a winner.
I recently bought a big box of carrots and have been trying to use them up before they go bad. I was trying to figure out how to make carrots into a breakfast and while I love my Spiced Carrot Coffee Cake, it isn’t exactly healthy.
I got the idea to turn my favorite carrot cake into a baked oatmeal recipe. I figured I would use carrots, bananas, and raisins along with cinnamon and cardamom. That would give the oatmeal the same basic flavor as a carrot cake.
Can I add different spices?
You can always adjust the spices to suite your own needs. I’ve put crystalized ginger in this oatmeal before and it gives it a lovely spiciness. Nutmeg is another great spice that often goes into carrot cake. Sometimes I like to add in allspice. Experiment with what you like and add what you want!
Ingredients:
- oats (you can use old fashioned or quick oats)
- baking powder
- cinnamon
- cardamom (substitute nutmeg or ginger if you don’t have cardamom)
- sea salt
- vanilla extract
- carrots
- raisins (or you can use craisins if you prefer)
- eggs
- ripe banana
- milk (I used whole milk but you can use low fat or plant based)
- brown sugar
- honey (or you can use maple syrup)
- butter (I used salted but you can use unsalted)
- walnuts (feel free to substitute pecans)
- flax seed (you can also use chia seeds)
It might look like this recipe has a ton of ingredients in it but many of them are spices or things that are found in your pantry. In face, I only had to by bananas. I figure most people might need to buy flax seeds, walnuts, and honey. The rest you probably have on hand!
To make the oatmeal heat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
In a bowl combine the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, carrots, and raisins. Mix well and pour into the prepared baking dish.
In a medium bowl beat the eggs. Add in the banana and milk and whisk. Stir in 2 tablespoons of honey and mix well. Pour over top of the oat mixture in the baking dish, making sure to cover the oats completely.
In a small bowl mix together the remaining honey, brown sugar, melted butter, walnuts, and flax seed. Mix well and sprinkle over top of the oatmeal.
Bake the oatmeal for 30-35 minutes or until firm. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving. Cut into squares.
When the oatmeal came out of the oven the top was golden brown and looked amazing. I took a bite and it was like a flavor symphony. The actual oatmeal tasted like carrot cake but with a baked oatmeal texture.
The topping of flax seeds, nuts, and honey was sweet and crunchy and added just the right amount of both to finish off this oatmeal. This is a breakfast that everyone will enjoy and it keeps in the refrigerator for 5 days so you can eat it all week!
How do I store Baked Oatmeal?
Baked oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 5 days. I like to cut mine into squares before putting it into the refrigerator. When ready to eat heat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds and enjoy. Drizzle with a bit of honey for added sweetness.
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal #SundaySupper
Ingredients
- 2 c. oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 c. grated carrots
- 1 apple peeled and grated
- 1/2 c. raisins
- 2 eggs
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 1/2 c. milk
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 c. walnuts chopped
- 1/2 c. flax seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray an 8 x 10 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl combine the oats, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, and salt. Stir in grated carrots, apples, and raisins. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, beat the eggs along with the ripe banana. Add in the milk and half the maple syrup.
- Put the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Pour the egg and banana mixture evenly over the top.
- In a small bowl combine the remaining maple syrup, brown sugar, vegetable oil, walnuts, and flax seeds. Mix well then sprinkle over the top of the oatmeal.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is browned.
- Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- **Keep in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days**
Notes
Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes
- Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
- Egg in the Hole with Bursted Tomatoes from Jen Around the World
- Huevos Rancheros Tostadas from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Raspberry Rose Sugar Cookies from That Recipe
- Strawberry Schaum Torte from Art of Natural Living
- Tiny Homemade Pop-Tarts from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Upside Down Tomato Omelet from Palatable Pastime
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This baked oatmeal looks packed with so much flavor and texture! It looks perfectly hearty and filling for any breakfast!
What a great way to get a ton of nutrition into oatmeal!
Love it!
I need to add baked oatmeal to my breakfast routine! Perfect to get you through a long day of teaching!
My kind of breakfast bar!
This sounds amazing!
I am definitely trying baked oatmeal. That looks awesome!
Sounds great! I’ve done a baked oatmeal with parsnips before. 🙂
What a delicious and healthy way to start the day, and get all those fruit and veggie servings in!
Oh, baked oatmeal is one of my favorites! I love that you can customize it however you like–And this version sneaks in some healthy veg!
This looks sweet and yummy! Love a make ahead breakfast!
I haven’t jumped on the bake oatmeal bandwagon yet, but this is one version that I’d definitely love!
It’s so good. I don’t like the texture of regular oatmeal but I love it baked!
I would never have thought of baked oatmeal. What a great way to get my kids to actually like oatmeal!!
I won’t eat regular oatmeal but the texture is firmer with baked oatmeal and it’s so much better
We have oatmeal a lot but never baked so must try it!
Breakfast is my fave meal, any time of day! I love oatmeal, but have honestly never had it baked – I need to try yours and I love how it will last all week for my breakfast!
It’s such a time saver because I make it on the weekend then take it to work all week! It;s got a better texture then traditional oatmeal too
I’m curious about the texture of baked oatmeal since I’ve never tried it. Love that you can make ahead and have breakfast all week!