Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

These Lighter Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are soft, wholesome and packed with oats, shredded carrots and warm spices, then drizzled with a maple cream cheese frosting. Reliable for an straightforward grab-and-go breakfast, snack or healthier dessert!

Calling all carrot cake lovers! These Lighter Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Bars have all the warm, cozy flavors of classic carrot cake in an straightforward grab-and-go breakfast or snack. A cook originally shared this recipe back in 2017, but over the years Cooks have had a few complaints that the bars were too crumbly and fell apart. SO A cook have tested and re-tested this recipe a few times, made so

If you keep straightforward make-ahead breakfasts like these, you will also keep the blueberry oatmeal breakfast bars for another grab-and-go option!

What goes in

• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup cane sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 3 ounces cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon milk of choice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

How it comes together

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together quick oats, oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Hold nearby.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, cane sugar and vanilla. Stir until well-combined.
4. Pour the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients, add in the grated carrots, and mix everything until just combined.
5. Pour the oat mixture into a prepared 8×8-inch baking dish and bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Let the carrot cake bars sit for 5 minutes then remove from pan and let them cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. If you cut them too warm, they may crumble easier.
7. While the bars are cooling, add cream cheese to a small bowl and heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Add in the maple syrup, a tablespoon of milk and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla and whisk together until smooth. Feel free to add more milk a teaspoon at a time until you get your desired consistency.
8. Slice the bars into 16 pieces and drizzle the cream cheese frosting over top, enjoy!

Keep in mind

To Prep: These carrot cake oatmeal bars are reliable for meal prep! Make a batch at the beginning of the week for an straightforward grab-and-go breakfast or snack. To Store: Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To Freeze: Once completely cooled, store the bars in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.