Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal Cups
Individual baked oatmeal cups that capture the warm spices and flavors of classic carrot cake. These portable breakfast treats combine shredded carrots, crushed pineapple, and aromatic cinnamon in a hearty oat base. Perfect for meal prep, busy mornings, or brunch gatherings. The combination of sweet pineapple and earthy carrots creates a naturally moist texture, while the option to add nuts or coconut provides extra richness and crunch.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups almond milk
- 1 egg
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 cups large flake oats
- 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, with juice
- ½ cup Sultana raisinsdried cranberries1:1flavor
Different fruit flavor profile
- ½ cup chopped nuts or coconut
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven and line baking sheet with silicone muffin cups or grease regular muffin pan well
- 2
Stir together milk, egg, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg in large bowl
- 3
Stir in oats, carrot, pineapple and raisins or other additions if desired
- 4
Divide evenly between muffin cups and bake until set and golden brown on top
- 5
Let cool completely before storing
Tips
Use silicone muffin cups for easy removal or grease regular muffin pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Don't drain the pineapple juice as it adds moisture and natural sweetness to the oatmeal cups.
Let cool completely before removing from cups to maintain shape and prevent crumbling.
Good to Know
Refrigerate for 6-8 days or freeze for 3 months
Can be made several days ahead and stored in refrigerator
Serve warm by themselves or with milk
Common Mistakes
Grease muffin pan well to avoid sticking if not using silicone cups
Don't overbake to avoid dry, crumbly texture
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use steel-cut oats instead of large flake oats?
Large flake oats work best for texture. Steel-cut oats won't soften properly in this baking time and may result in a chewy, undercooked texture.
How long do these keep at room temperature?
These should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooling due to the egg content. They're best stored in the refrigerator for food safety.
Can I freeze individual portions?
Yes, freeze completely cooled cups individually wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat if desired.