carrot cake oatmeal bars are the perfect breakfast. this recipe is easy to make and filled with both healthy and nutritious ingredients making it a great way to start the day.
these oatmeal bars are the perfect morning treat. a treat in the healthiest way possible. these bars can be the perfect comfort breakfast or dessert at night!
whether you're having breakfast at home or work, they are just as delicious. the carrot cake adds such a delicious flavor to the oats, especially when paired with a creamy nut butter.
i share some other toppings / mix-in suggestions later on but one of my favorites to add is nut butter. i used sunflower butter in the picture above. in addition, i love to add fresh fruit, hemps seeds and chia seeds. these ingredients add some healthy fats, protein and texture variety.
with just a few ingredients, you'll be enjoying these bars in no time!
main ingredients
- rolled oats
- carrots
- maple syrup
- flax egg
- almond milk
- baking powder
how to make the batter
the first thing we want to do is make the flax egg. you may be wondering, how do i make a flax egg? a flax egg is made by combining 1 tbsp of ground flax seed with 2 tbsp water. let it sit for 5-8 minutes before adding it to the food processor.
next, you are going to prep the loaf pan! line the loaf pan with a piece of parchment paper. it should be just wide enough to cover the bottom. this is essential for easy removal!
in a food processor, add all of the ingredients and pulse until you get a cohesive, smooth batter.
pour the batter into the pan and spread into an even layer. bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes.
you will know that the bars are done once the outer edges are golden. another test to see if it's done is by sticking in a toothpick. the tooth pick should come out clean!
lastly, let the bars cool for a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour before slicing!
mix-in and topping suggestions
- raisins
- shredded coconut
- hemp seeds
- chia seeds
- almond slivers
- sunflower butter
- honey
- maple syrup
- fresh fruit
- other nut butters
- other crushed nuts
frequently asked questions
no, those will have a thicker and different texture than grating the carrots yourself.
yes! the ratio between the two is ¾ cups of oat flour = 1 cup of rolled oats.
i recommend using honey or date syrup if you're not going to use maple syrup. this will ensure a similar texture and final result.
i usually eat 2-3 bars per sitting but you could also just eat 1! being made with such healthy ingredients, i recommend eating until satisfied. if you'd like to make more servings, double or even triple the batch and bake in a bigger pan.
store in airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. for longer storage, keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.
related recipes perfect for fall
- easy buckwheat pumpkin bread
- bakery style pumpkin muffins
- pumpkin protein pancakes
- gluten free pumpkin snickerdoodles
if you try this recipe, please consider leaving a rating and comment at the end of this blog post. it is incredibly helpful to my small business and to your fellow readers!
carrot cake oatmeal bars
Equipment
- food processor or blender
- loaf pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup carrots shredded
- 1.5 cups rolled oats
- flax egg see instructions above
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ⅓ cup almond milk unsweetened
- ½ tsp baking powder
Instructions
- preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
- make the flax egg and prep all of the ingredients
- add all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until combined. the texture should be relatively smooth without large clumps.
- pour into a loaf pan that is lined with parchment paper and covered with nonstick spray of choice (i prefer coconut oil spray).
- bake for 18-20 minutes. the edges should be golden and a toothpick will come out clean when it's done baking!
- let cool for a minimum of 30 minutes to 1 hour then slice and enjoy!
Carrot cake with oatmeal is my new favourite. Love this easy dessert the whole family loves it.
These are pretty good for something so healthy. I added a light frosting with coconut for a little more sweetness. Made a double batch in a 9x9 pan.
Thank you so much and I am so happy you enjoyed! An adjustment for more sweetness would be to add 1-2 tbsp of honey/maple syrup!
Question on amount of carrots - 1 cup whole carrots, shredded OR 1 Cup Shredded carrots (i.e., carrots shredded, then measured?) There is a huge difference.
Great question! The recipe states 1 cup of carrots shredded. So I measure it after I shred the carrots! Hope this makes sense and that you enjoy 🙂
I've got a question..please!
The top part says baking powder but the list of ingredients say baking soda. Which is it ? There is a BIG difference between the two. Not to mention the sodium level between the two.
Baking powder! So sorry about that - just updated!