Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal

What is more convenient than having your breakfast ready for you as soon as you wake up? With this Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal, you’ll be treating yourself from the get go! It’s such a cozy and filling way to start your day, but without the morning time commitment.

You will need:

• Large flake oats. I feel like these keep their shape and texture better than quick oats, but you can use what you prefer!
• Carrot. It wouldn’t be carrot cake without it, right?!
• Milk. Feel free to use dairy milk or a plant-based beverage. If you choose a non-dairy option, consider soy or a fortified product that provides a bit of extra protein compared to almond, oat or coconut milk.
• Brown sugar. This gives a bit of a molasses-y taste and sweetness.
• Dried coconut. I prefer using sweetened coconut over unsweetened because I enjoy the taste, but again, use whatever you have or like better.
• Vanilla extract, cinnamon and salt. These are to really round out the flavour profile.

How I prepare the oatmeal:

1. Timing is key here. You don’t want to turn on the slow cooker too early so that the oats are cooked at 3am. But you also don’t want the preparation of this recipe to eat into your nighttime routine. So first, take note of when you’re going to wake up at the following day. Then count backwards about 8-9 hours and start your prep then. 
2. One thing to keep in mind is that if you are preparing this in the evening but still have a couple of hours before you are going to turn on the slow cooker, wait to add the wet ingredients. If added too soon without cooking, the oats will soak up the liquid and you will end up with overnight oats. Not a terrible compromise but just not what this recipe is intending. 
3. The second biggest take-home is to grease your slow cooker pot well! I have regretfully chinced out on this and paid the price in heavy duty dish washing. 

This Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal can be prepared in mere minutes before you jump into bed, resulting in a creamy and comforting oatmeal in the morning. Give this a try the next time you are anticipating a busy morning and feel energized for the rest of the day!

You will also enjoy these make-ahead breakfasts for busy mornings:

• Baked Oatmeal Casserole
• Lemon Blueberry Overnight Chia Oats
• Carrot Cake Overnight Chia Oats

If you make this Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal, I would love to see your comment and rating below. It also makes my day seeing your creations of my recipes on Instagram- don’t forget to tag @allnutrition.rd!