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Carrot Cake Overnight Oats (Gajar Halwa Oats) are a cross between Carrot Cake and the famous Indian dessert – Gajar ka Halwa. These breakfast treat tastes like a healthier gajar ka halwa and are refined sugar-free, loaded with healthy fats, and made with just 1 tablespoon of ghee.
I love overnight oats, it’s the easiest and quickest breakfast item to make. This Indian-inspired version of Carrot Cake Overnight Oats is a cross between Gajar ka Halwa and Carrot Cake.
Gajar translates to carrots in Hindi and halwa means a sweet dessert. Hence, these dessert-like overnight oats taste like sweet carrots with cardamom and ghee. This is a delicious combination perfect for Easter, Diwali, and fall.
This recipe was inspired by my Gajar ka Halwa, and pairs well with this amazing Kadak Masala Chai recipe.
More Oatmeal Recipes
If you love Overnight Oats, check out my Indian-inspired Pistachio Overnight Oats and Thandai Overnight Oats that taste like dessert. A classic overnight oats recipe is my creamy Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats. Try my Oats Kheer made with steel-cut oats for some more Indian-inspired oatmeal. If you love baked oatmeal, try this Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal perfect for Easter and during fall.
Table of Contents
What are Gajar Halwa Overnight Oats?
Gajar ka Halwa Overnight Oats is a 2-step process.
- Make the gajar ka halwa portion by sauteeing shredded carrots in a little ghee along with cardamom, coconut sugar, nuts, and raisins.
- Then make the overnight oats part with a combination of almond milk and regular milk, in addition to old-fashioned oats, and chia seeds, and add the gajar ka halwa. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours for the best results.
Additionally, I added flavors such as raisins and walnuts to echo flavors of carrot cake. This combo is delectable and easily one of my favorite ways of preparing overnight oats.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tastes like Gajar ka Halwa – This version of overnight oats tastes like a healthier version of gajar ka halwa without all the heaviness.
- Quick & Easy Breakfast – Overnight oats are so versatile and easy to make. They are perfect for busy mornings. You can flavor them any way you like and it doesn’t take long to make overnight oats.
- Great Way to Use up Leftover Carrots – If you have fresh carrots lying around, make these overnight oats, they are insanely delicious. You can easily double the recipe and make enough for 3-4 days.
Ingredients
- Carrots – Use freshly grated carrots, preferably the thinner side of the grater.
- Milk & Almond Milk – You’ll need a combo of both types of milk, but feel free to adjust the ratio to your liking.
- Ghee – You’ll need just a tablespoon of ghee which adds a depth of flavor. I highly recommend using ghee over butter in this recipe.
- Old-Fashioned Oats – You’ll need to use old-fashioned or rolled oats for this recipe. Do not use quick oats or steel-cut oats.
- Chia Seeds – Chia Seeds helps to soak up the liquid in overnight oats. In addition to chia seeds, feel free to add a tablespoon of hemp seeds – a great source of protein.
*See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.*
Substitutions
- Milk & Almond Milk – You may substitute regular milk for almond milk, and vice versa. Feel free to use any type of milk you love.
- Ghee – I don’t recommend making this recipe without ghee, but if you must use butter, that works too. Just note, that the flavor of butter won’t be the same as ghee.
- Nuts & Raisins -You can substitute cashews or walnuts with your favorite type of nut. Pecans would work well here, unsweetened coconut flakes works too. Alternatively, you may use golden raisins. Lastly, if you want to omit nuts or raisins, you may.
- Coconut Sugar – Feel free to replace coconut sugar with white or brown sugar. I love coconut sugar as it’s not too sweet. I don’t recommend using maple syrup or honey for Gajar Halwa Oats.
- Vegan – Use vegan ghee and replace milk with almond milk.
How To Make Carrot Cake Overnight Oats?
STEP 1 – Prepare Gajar ka Halwa
1. Heat a kadai on medium heat, once hot, add a tablespoon of ghee. (Image 1)
2. Once hot, add shredded carrots. Stir and cook for 4-5 minutes until the color of the carrots has slightly changed. (Image 2)
3. This is what you should have. You’re looking for a lighter orange color. (Image 3)
4. Now add coconut sugar and saute for a couple of minutes. (Image 4)
5. Add the chopped cashews and walnuts, raisins, and cardamom powder. (Image 5)
6. Stir and cook for a minute. Turn off the stove and set aside to cool. (Image 6)
STEP 2 – Prepare Gajar Halwa Overnight Oats
1. In a large mixing bowl, add old-fashioned oats and chia seeds. (Image 1)
2. Now add milk and almond milk. Feel free to use any combo of up to 2 cups. (Image 2)
3. Once cooled, add a little bit of the gajar halwa mixture to avoid curdling. (Image 3)
4. Mix well. (Image 4)
5. Now add the remaining gajar halwa mixture. (Image 5)
6. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. (Image 6)
7. This is what you should have 4 hours later or overnight. Notice most of the liquid has been absorbed. (Image 7)
TIP: Taste it, and if you prefer sweeter overnight oats, feel free to add another 1/2 tablespoon of coconut sugar at a time.
8. Transfer the oats into pretty mason jars and enjoy. (Image 8)
Expert Tips
✓ Refrigerate – Make sure to refrigerate Gajar Halwa Oats for at least 4 hours or overnight.
✓ Carrots – Use freshly grated carrots that are finely grated.
Serving Suggestions
→ Enjoy Gajar Halwa Overnight Oats with a hot cup of my Kadak Masala Chai.
Recipe FAQs
Store these overnight oats in mason jars or an airtight container. They will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes. Feel free to add plain or vanilla protein powder to these oats before refrigerating. Keep in mind though, the powder will soak up a lot of the liquid.
Before placing the oats in the fridge, feel free to add any of these ingredients – a tablespoon of hemp seeds, a dollop of Greek yogurt, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, or unsweetened coconut flakes.
More Oatmeal Recipes
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats (Gajar Halwa Oats)
EQUIPMENT
INGREDIENTS
FOR GAJAR KA HALWA
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1 cups carrots, finely shredded & packed
- 1 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar, more if needed
- 2 tbsp cashews, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- 1 tbsp raisins
FOR GAJAR HALWA OVERNIGHT OATS
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup whole milk
- add gajar halwa, once cooled
FOR GARNISH
- a few chopped walnuts
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1 – Prepare Gajar ka Halwa
- Heat a kadai on medium heat, once hot, add a tablespoon of ghee. Once hot, add shredded carrots. Stir and cook for 4-5 minutes until the color of the carrots has slightly changed. You’re looking for a lighter orange color.
- Next, add coconut sugar and saute for a couple of minutes. Add the chopped cashews and walnuts, raisins, and cardamom powder. Stir and cook for a minute. Turn off the stove and set aside to cool.
STEP 2 – Prepare Gajar Halwa Overnight Oats
- In a large mixing bowl, add old-fashioned oats and chia seeds. Now add milk and almond milk. Feel free to use any combo of up to 2 cups. Once cooled, add a little bit of the gajar halwa mixture to avoid curdling. Mix well.
- Now add the remaining gajar halwa mixture. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- TIP: Taste it, and if you prefer sweeter overnight oats, feel free to add another 1/2 tablespoon of coconut sugar at a time.
- Transfer the oats into pretty mason jars.
NOTES
- Refrigerate – For the best results, make sure to refrigerate Gajar Halwa Oats for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Carrots – Use freshly grated finely shredded carrots. Avoid using the thicker part of the grater.
- Vegan – Use vegan ghee and replace milk with almond milk.
We are having a really bad snow storm here today. I feel chilly to the bones and this breakfast treat looks so comforting. I think I will go concoct it!
Thank you very much for sharing a great, heat-warming recipe 🙂
What a sweet surprise. 😉
Lovely oatmeal. I like the flavors you mixed into it.