Spring Carrot Oatmeal Squares (Printable)

Moist carrot and oat squares infused with cinnamon and nutmeg, perfect for a wholesome breakfast or snack.

# What Goes In:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
03 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1½ cups milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
08 - ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
09 - ¼ cup melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
10 - 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

→ Mix-Ins

11 - 1¼ cups finely grated carrots (approximately 2 medium carrots)
12 - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
13 - ⅓ cup raisins (optional)
14 - ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup or honey, melted coconut oil or butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
04 - Pour wet ingredient mixture into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Gently fold grated carrots, chopped nuts, raisins, and shredded coconut into the batter if using.
06 - Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking dish using a spatula.
07 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the center is set and edges are golden brown.
08 - Cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing into 9 squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're wholesome enough to eat guilt-free for breakfast, yet taste indulgent enough to satisfy a dessert craving.
  • The recipe comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for meal prep on lazy Sunday mornings.
  • You can customize the add-ins endlessly based on what's in your pantry, so it never feels boring.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time after baking—I learned this the hard way when I cut into a still-warm pan and ended up with a beautiful scramble instead of neat squares.
  • Squeeze excess moisture from your grated carrots with a clean kitchen towel, or your squares will lean watery and lose their structure.
  • Make sure your baking powder is fresh and hasn't been sitting in your cupboard for three years, or you'll get dense, flat results instead of tender, cake-like squares.
03 -
  • Grate your carrots on the finest side of a box grater and press them gently in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture, which prevents the squares from becoming soggy.
  • If you're using plant-based milk, oat or coconut milk delivers better flavor and richness than thinner options like almond milk.
  • Make a double batch and freeze the unbaked batter in a second prepared pan, then bake from frozen by adding about 10 extra minutes to the baking time.
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