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Healthy Carrot Cake Baked Oats with Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese Frosting

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carrot cakes baked oats square on a plate with greek yogurt cream cheese frosting on top.

Carrot cake for breakfast? Yes plz! These carrot cake baked oats have all the warm, cozy flavors of your favorite spring dessert – cinnamon, nutmeg, sweet grated carrots, crunchy walnuts – baked into a hearty, high-protein breakfast that you can meal prep on Sunday and enjoy all week long. And the Greek yogurt cream cheese frosting takes this recipe over the top!

What I love most about this recipe, besides the fact that it genuinely tastes like carrot cake, is how totally easy it is! Simply whisk, stir, bake, and that’s it. No mixer, no complicated steps, just one bowl and one baking dish standing between you and the best breakfast of your week! If you’re already a fan of my Meal Prep Protein Pancakes or my High-Protein Breakfast Biscuits, you’re going to absolutely love this one.

Why You’ll Love These Carrot Cake Baked Oats

  • Tastes just like carrot cake! Warm cinnamon and nutmeg, sweet shredded carrots, chewy raisins, crunchy walnuts, and that dreamy cream cheese frosting – every bite hits exactly like the real thing.
  • High in protein and fiber. Between the Greek yogurt in the batter, the eggs, and the fiber-packed oats and carrots, this is a breakfast that will actually keep you full and energized all morning long.
  • Perfect for meal prep. This recipe makes 9 generous squares. Bake it Sunday, store it in the fridge, and you’ve got a grab-and-go breakfast ready for the entire week – no reheating required if you enjoy it cold!
  • Super easy to make. One large bowl, one baking dish, a quick whisk and stir, and the oven does the rest. Start to finish, you’re looking at under an hour with minimal work.
  • Naturally sweetened. Maple syrup and the natural sweetness of the carrots and raisins do all the work here – no refined sugar needed!
overhead image of carrot cakes baked oats square on a plate with greek yogurt cream cheese frosting on top.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

  • Milk: Any milk works here – dairy or non-dairy. Oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk are all great options if you want to keep this dairy-free.
  • Greek Yogurt: Plain full-fat Greek yogurt gives the best texture and the most protein. You can swap for a dairy-free yogurt (coconut or cashew-based work well) if needed – just note the bake may come out slightly softer.
  • Maple Syrup: Honey works as a 1:1 swap. If you’d like to reduce the sweetness further, know that the carrots and raisins contribute natural sweetness, so you can comfortably cut the maple syrup back to 3 tablespoons.
  • Walnuts: Pecans are a delicious swap and give an even more classic carrot cake flavor. You can also leave the nuts out entirely for a nut-free version.
  • Raisins: These are totally optional! If you’re not a raisin fan, leave them out – the baked oats are just as delicious without them. Alternatively, try swapping them for dried pineapple or dried cranberries.
  • Frosting: If you’re short on time, a simple dollop of plain Greek yogurt on top works beautifully and still adds that creamy, tangy element that makes carrot cake so good. For a fully dairy-free frosting, use a thick coconut yogurt and dairy-free cream cheese.

Sam’s Recipe Tips

  • Grate your own carrots. Pre-shredded matchstick carrots from the store work in a pinch, but freshly grated carrots are finer, softer, and blend into the oats much more beautifully. A box grater takes just a couple of minutes and makes a real difference in the final texture.
  • Let it cool completely before frosting. I know it’s tempting to frost straight out of the oven, but if the baked oats are still warm, the frosting will melt and slide right off. Patience pays off here – let them cool fully, then frost generously.
  • Meal prep tip: store the frosting separately. If you’re making this for the week, cut the oats into squares and store them unfrosted in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep the frosting in a separate container and add a dollop to each square right before eating. This keeps everything fresh and prevents the oats from getting soggy.
  • Room temperature eggs matter. Cold eggs can cause the batter to look curdled or uneven. Pull them out of the fridge 20–30 minutes before you start, and your batter will come together much more smoothly.
  • Don’t overbake. The oats are done when the top looks set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Overbaking can dry them out, so start checking at the 40-minute mark.
  • Freeze for later. These carrot cake baked oats freeze beautifully! Let them cool completely, cut into individual squares, and freeze in a single layer. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months – just microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
carrot cakes baked oats square on a plate with greek yogurt cream cheese frosting on top.
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Healthy Carrot Cake Baked Oats with Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese Frosting

These carrot cake baked oats are a high-protein, meal prep-friendly breakfast that tastes just like your favorite spring dessert – warm cinnamon and nutmeg, sweet grated carrots, crunchy walnuts, and a dreamy Greek yogurt cream cheese frosting on top. Made in just one bowl with simple, wholesome ingredients, this easy recipe comes together in under an hour and makes 9 generous squares to last you the whole week! If you're looking for a healthy carrot cake baked oats recipe that's as nourishing as it is delicious, ya gotta give this one a try.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 9 servings

Equipment

  • 1 9×9-inch baking pan
  • 2 large bowls
  • 1 hand or stand mixer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 eggs at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins optional

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) cream cheese softened, at room temperature
  • 3-4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and lightly grease the inside of a 9×9-inch baking dish.
  • Whisk together the milk, Greek yogurt, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
  • Add in the rolled oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, carrots, walnuts, and raisins to the bowl and stir until everything is completely combined.
  • Pour the oat mixture into your prepared baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is set and the oats are cooked through.
  • Remove the baked oats from the oven and let them cool completely. While the oats cool, make the frosting by adding the Greek yogurt, cream cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a bowl and use either a hand or stand mixer to whisk it together until light and fluffy.
  • Once the oats are completely cool, top with the frosting, cut into squares, and enjoy! Or, store the frosting separately, cut the oats into squares and store for an easy meal prep breakfast. Right before eating, top one serving of baked oats with a big dollop of frosting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 11g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15g
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30 Minutes or Less

Healthy Oat Breakfast Muffins (3 ways!)

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two healthy breakfast muffins with chocolate chips stacked on top of each other.

Breakfast has quickly become my favorite meal of the day! Between my 3 ingredient protein pancakes, gluten-free bagel bites, and now these healthy breakfast muffins – I now have so many delicious breakfast options to choose from. Over are the days where all I’d eat were boring scrambled eggs, or a bland bowl of cereal! These healthy breakfast muffins are perfectly sweet, totally satisfying, and the perfect fuel to get me through busy mornings. OH, and they’re great for meal prep too!

Why You’ll Love These Healthy Breakfast Muffins

These breakfast muffins are a game-changer for busy mornings. Made in just one bowl with wholesome ingredients, they’re moist, fluffy, and naturally sweetened. Whether you choose Greek yogurt, mashed banana, or applesauce, each variation offers a light and fluffy texture. Plus, they’re gluten-free and customizable with your favorite fruit or mix-ins!

overhead image of healthy oat breakfast muffins with a bite taken out.

What Makes These Muffins Healthy

  • Whole Grains: Oat flour and rolled oats provide fiber and energy to keep you fueled all morning long!
  • Natural Sweeteners: Maple syrup adds sweetness without refined sugars.
  • Healthy Fats: Olive oil contributes heart-healthy monounsaturated fats (& makes these seed oil-free!).
  • Protein-Rich: Greek yogurt and eggs boost the protein content, keeping you feeling full longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these egg-free?

Yes! Substitute each egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) or use a store-bought egg replacer.

How do I store these healthy breakfast muffins?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.

What can I use instead of Greek yogurt?

You can use mashed banana or unsweetened applesauce as a 1:1 substitute for Greek yogurt. This not only changes the flavor profile but also caters to different dietary needs!

Can I use all-purpose flour?

Absolutely. While oat flour keeps them gluten-free, all-purpose flour can be used if gluten isn’t a concern.

healthy oat breakfast muffins on a white towel with blueberries.

Sam’s Recipe Tips

  • Customize Your Mix-Ins: Feel free to fold in nuts, seeds, or different fruits to suit your taste.
  • Don’t Overmix: Mix until just combined to keep the muffins tender.
  • Use an Ice Cream Scoop: For evenly sized muffins, use a scoop to portion the batter.
  • Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, they’re ready.
two healthy breakfast muffins with chocolate chips stacked on top of each other.
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Healthy Oat Breakfast Muffins (3 ways!)

These healthy oat breakfast muffins are easy to make, gluten-free, and perfect for busy mornings! Made in one bowl with simple, wholesome ingredients, they come together in just minutes and are packed with flavor. Try all three variations for a nutritious, customizable breakfast the whole family will LOVE!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl
  • 1 muffin pan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt or 1 cup mashed banana, or 1 cup applesauce
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups oat flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit I used blueberries, strawberries, and chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit and line a muffin tin with muffin liners.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, milk, olive oil, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  • Add in the oat flour, rolled oats, baking powder, and baking soda and mix until fully combined and the batter is smooth.
  • Fold in any fruit or chocolate chips you're using until it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Then, scoop ¼ cup of batter into each muffin liner and bake muffins for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted down the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool before serving or storing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g
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30 Minutes or Less

Berry Breakfast Crisp (for one!)

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close-up image of berry breakfast crisp.

This berry breakfast crisp tastes so indulgent, it might as well be dessert! But don’t worry, it’s entirely gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. It’s super healthy with plenty of plant-based protein and fiber which will leave you feeling full until your next meal!

overhead image of berry breakfast crisp with coconut yogurt on top.

What You’ll Need To Make Berry Breakfast Crisp

Fresh Berries – Use any kind(s) of fresh berries you’d like! I used a combo of fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries – and OMG they were delicious. However, you can totally use whatever berry’s in season, or whatever you have on-hand. You could even use frozen berries if you’d like, just keep in mind they’ll yield more liquid once baked, resulting in a watery filling.

Rolled Oats – It’s super important you use rolled oats, instead of whole or steel cut oats. Rolled oats are flattened then toasted, and bake up beautifully in this berry breakfast crisp.

Almond Flour – Either almond flour or almond meal will work in this gluten-free breakfast recipe. I use and love the Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour, as well as Anthony’s Almond Flour. And if you’re interested in other almond flour breakfast recipes, check out my almond flour pancakes or almond flour banana bread – both are incredible!

Coconut Oil – A tablespoon of solid coconut oil gives the crumble atop this berry breakfast crisp its crumbly texture. If your coconut oil is liquid at room temperature (this happens when the weather’s warm), then simply place it in the fridge or freezer for 5-10 minutes before using. Also, if you don’t have any coconut oil, you can use a tablespoon of cold butter or ghee instead.

close-up image of berry breakfast crisp with coconut yogurt on top.

Tips and Tricks

  • Remember, this recipe makes a single serving. Therefore, you’ll want to double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe when baking for others!
  • Finish off this berry breakfast crisp with a scoop of vanilla yogurt! I topped mine with a dollop of Cocojune’s unsweetened coconut yogurt and it was perfectly creamy and delicious. Though if you’re eating this for dessert, feel free to top it off with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream instead – YUM!
  • You can easily prep this healthy breakfast recipe the night before if you’d like. To do this, assemble the berries and crumble, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Then, in the morning, bake it off as instructed and enjoy a warm berry crisp for breakfast!

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Paleo: For a paleo crisp, replace the rolled oats with finely chopped nuts and/or coconut flakes!

Make it Nut-Free: To make this a nut-free breakfast recipe, replace the almond flour with one tablespoon of brown rice flour or all purpose flour.

No ratings yet

Berry Breakfast Crisp (for one!)

This berry breakfast crisp tastes so indulgent, it might as well be dessert! But don’t worry, it’s entirely gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. It’s super healthy with plenty of plant-based protein and fiber which will leave you feeling full until your next meal!
Print Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 1 servings

Ingredients

For the berries:

  • 1 cup fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc)
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the crumble:

  • 1/4 cup rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons almond flour or meal
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil, solid
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  • Add all berry ingredients to a bowl and toss to evenly coat, then transfer into small oven-safe dish.
  • Mix all crumble ingredients together in same bowl as the berries, then sprinkle over top of the berries.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm with additional maple syrup and/or a scoop of vanilla yogurt.

Video

Notes

  • Make this an apple breakfast crisp by replacing the fresh berries with fresh sliced apples!

    • Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal

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    Dairy-Free

    Vegan Graham Crackers (gluten-free)

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    overhead image of vegan graham crackers on a table

    These vegan graham crackers are also gluten and refined sugar-free! This easy recipe bakes up deliciously soft cookies and crumbly cookies. Enjoy these vegan graham crackers with a thick slather of peanut butter, some toasted marshmallows and melted chocolate, or simply on their own as a healthy snack or dessert!

    vegan graham crackers witha glass of almond milk and rolled oats

    I’d like to start off by thanking the person that first invented s’mores. Graham crackers are great, but let’s be honest they’d be nothing without the s’more. S’mores put graham crackers on the map. And it wasn’t until I had leftover boxes of this crispy cookie lying around from s’more-making that I realized how perfect they truly are. They’re soft, light, crumbly, and not to sweet. Graham crackers deserve a moment of their own and I am here to give them that. Think about this for a second – why don’t we place this sweet cracker in the same lineup as say a chocolate chip cookie? They are more than worthy of standing alone in my opinion. Not convinced yet? OK OK just make this vegan graham cracker recipe yourself and you’ll understand.

    What You Need To Make Vegan Graham Crackers

    Oat Flour – I love baking up my gluten-free treats with oat flour! Not only is it inexpensive, but it’s super easy to acquire. I highly advise against purchasing pre-made oat flour, it’s simply not necessary. Instead, purchase a big bag of oats then grind them in a food processor or blender to make your own cheap and easy oat flour. Oat flour gives these vegan graham crackers their irresistibly soft texture. It also make them healthier and more nutritious!

    Maple Syrup – Just a touch of maple syrup gives these gluten-free cookies a bit of caramel color and flavor. You’ll notice that I keep the amount of sweetener in this recipe low because these vegan graham crackers really don’t need much! Maple syrup is a delicious natural sweetener and much healthier than any refined sugar.

    Vegan Butter – I use and love the Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks in my vegan/dairy-free baked goods. Though any vegan butter will work here, just be sure to melt it completely before adding it to this recipe. You could also sub the vegan butter for melted coconut oil or regular butter if you’d like!

    Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

    Add Dairy: Feel free to use regular milk and butter in place of the almond milk and vegan butter in this recipe.

    Make it Nut-Free: Use soy, hemp, or coconut milk instead of almond milk to make this vegan recipe nut-free.

    Add Gluten: I haven’t tested this myself, but you can try using 2 cups of all purpose flour instead of oat flour. If you give this a try, start with just the 2 cups then add a bit more flour until a dough forms. And of course, let me know how it goes!

    Vegan Graham Crackers (gluten-free)
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    Vegan Graham Crackers (gluten-free)

    0 from 0 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    16

    cookies
    Prep time

    5

    minutes
    Cooking time

    10

    minutes
    Chilling time

    1

    hour

    These vegan graham crackers are also gluten and refined sugar-free! This easy recipe bakes up deliciously soft cookies and crumbly cookies. Enjoy these vegan graham crackers with a thick slather of peanut butter, some toasted marshmallows and melted chocolate, or simply on their own!

    Ingredients

    • 2 1/2 cups oat flour, see Notes

    • 1/4 cup coconut sugar, see Notes

    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

    • 1/4 teaspoon salt

    • 1/2 cup vegan butter or coconut oil, melted

    • 1/4 cup maple syrup

    • 1/4 cup almond milk

    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Directions

    • Mix together the oat flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
    • Add in the melted vegan butter, maple syrup, almond milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until a dough forms.
    • Cover and transfer dough to the fridge for 1 hour.
    • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Remove dough from fridge and roll out on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thick.
    • Cut dough into 2-inch squares, transfer to a baking sheet, poke the top of each graham cracker with a fork, then bake for 10-12 mintues.
    • Remove from oven, then let cool slightly on a baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • Oat Flour: Make oat flour by grinding rolled oats in a blender or food processor until a fine flour forms and no large oat pieces remain.
    • Coconut Sugar: Feel free to use cane sugar or white sugar in place of the coconut sugar in this recipe!

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    More Healthier Vegan Desserts

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