Carrot Cake Cauliflower Oats

If you find yourself feeling, well, less than satisfied by your morning bowl of oatmeal, then you’re going to want to try this recipe. My Carrot Cake Cauliflower Oats are a delicious (and nutritious) spin on your traditional bowl of oatmeal, but with a not-so-secret ingredient… cauliflower! Don’t knock it until you try it; this superfood ingredient not only adds a wonderful texture to this oatmeal, but also helps to keep you full and satisfied all morning long!

One of the most popular recipes on my blog has been, for some time now, The Best Ever Healthy Carrot Cake. I always thought of carrot cake as a more “controversial” dessert, but so many of you have proved me wrong! This recipe has shown me that you all love carrot cake just as much as I do. And that’s only one of the reasons why I know that you all are truly my type of people. 😉

And if there’s anything better than carrot cake itself… it’s carrot cake for breakfast. This recipe truly tastes like carrot cake in a bowl, and is sure to satisfy your taste buds first thing in the morning, or any time of day that you crave a healthy, cake-like treat!

This recipe has all of the ingredients that you know and love about your traditional carrot cake, but instead of making it with flour, we’re adding it to oats. Why? Because oats are a staple of any good breakfast recipe. They tend to get a reputation for being boring, but I’m here to squash that reputation into the ground. Because the truth is, oats can be anything but boring! Whether you’re making my German Chocolate Cake Overnight Oats, my Strawberry Donut Baked Oats, or even these Carrot Cake oats, I’m here to prove to you that oats can be fun, exciting, and a healthy way to start the day.

And while I say “cake-like,” I also want to remind you that in my book, ALL foods are acceptable, any time. If you want to eat a slice or two of actual carrot cake for breakfast, go for it! Listen to your body and honor what feels best for you. I have definitely had my days of having cake for breakfast, and I’ve never regretted any of them.

But, on a day-to-day basis, we can make healthier choices to support our bodies, and that’s where this recipe comes in. It has all of the elements that you love about carrot cake, but in a warm, comforting bowl that will help you set your day up for success. We’ve got oats, which are loaded with fiber, carrots, which are rich in Vitamin A, and our not-so-secret ingredient, Cauliflower, to add fiber, antioxidants, and Vitamin C.

But Nicole – Cauliflower in Oatmeal?!

If you are feeling skeptical about adding cauliflower to your oatmeal, hear me out: it sounds crazier than it actually is!

In this recipe, we are using cauliflower rice, and when it’s mixed in with the oats, you truly won’t taste it! It doesn’t influence the texture or flavor of this recipe at all, but rather, it adds and extra boost of veggies and fiber that you won’t even be able to taste. I especially love this recipe for kids, because it’s such an easy way to sneak more veggies into their diet!

As mentioned above, Cauliflower is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and Vitamin C. In fact, just one serving of cauliflower contains 100% of our daily recommended dose of Vitamin C! If you’re feeling a little under the weather, this is the perfect recipe to make to get that extra Vitamin C in.

What You Need to Make These Delicious, Veggie-Packed Oats

This recipe comes together with less than 10 ingredients, making it so easy to throw together in the mornings, or to meal-prep a few days ahead!

• Oats: Of course, you need oats to make this recipe! You can use quick oats or rolled oats. Use whatever you have on hand! And if you’re gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free oats, to make sure that this recipe is compliant with your dietary needs. 🙂
• Cauliflower Rice: As mentioned earlier, cauliflower rice helps to bulk up this recipe and keep you feeling fuller, longer! You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower rice – I use frozen, but both work equally as well, here.
• Maple Syrup: Maple syrup adds natural sweetness, and is just delicious in any oat recipe!
• Almond Milk: You can use any non-dairy milk that you’d like, in this recipe. I use almond milk because it’s my favorite, but use what you like!
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract instantly elevates any oat recipe.
• Cinnamon: And a dash of cinnamon is essential to achieving that carrot cake flavor!
• Collagen Peptides: This is optional, but I love adding collagen peptides for a boost of protein without compromising the flavor or texture. If you’re vegetarian and/or vegan, you can simply omit this!
• Carrots: And, of course, what would a carrot cake oat recipe be without the carrots?! You can shred the carrots yourself or buy pre-shredded carrots. Whatever works!
• Raisins: Raisins and carrot cake go together like bread and butter, so don’t forget to top your oats with these delicious, sweet little morsels!
• Toppings: These are optional, but I love to top my oats with some shredded coconut, plain yogurt, and walnuts. It truly makes this recipe taste like cake!

How to Make These Creamy Cake-Like Oats

Making this recipe could not be more simple! Simply add all of your ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat, and stir until the mixture starts to simmer. Cook for about 7-9 minutes, until your oats are fully cooked. Just be sure to stir occasionally so that nothing burns.

Then, plate your oats and add in your favorite toppings. Serve immediately, and store any extras in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! And, since I practically live on Instagram, be sure to tag me in your creations so that I can repost them! xx

** Photography by Gayle McLeod