Carrot Cake Granola

Name: Carrot Cake Granola
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 150 grams rolled oats; 50 grams pecans (roughly chopped); 50 grams walnuts (roughly chopped); 40 grams pumpkin seeds; 40 grams sunflower seeds; 80 grams grated carrot (if using julienned carrots, chop them finely); 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp ground nutmeg; ½ tsp ground ginger; ½ tsp ground cloves; 4 tbsp honey; 3 tbsp sunflower oil

Posted: July 23, 2026

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Are you a carrot cake lover? Then you will be pleased to hear that this delicious crunchy carrot cake granola is absolutely delicious and has the classic carrot cake flavors.

Warm Spices and Ultimate Crunch

I’m obsessed with this delicious carrot cake granola, as it is so delicious, easy and has all those warm flavors you know and love from traditional carrot cake. Like all my granola recipes, such as the basic granola or the coffee granola, it is incredibly easy to make and can be customized however you like.

Recipe Ingredients

You might think that it is strange to add carrots to your breakfast recipes but it works great. After all, carrots go into cakes and other sweet treats so why not add them to a healthy breakfast, right? Here’s what you will need. Make sure to double check the quantities in the recipe card below.

oats – for this recipe I like to use old-fashioned rolled oats as in all my homemade granola recipes
nuts – I use a combination of pecans and walnuts, but you could easily swap those for hazelnuts or almonds if you prefer
carrots – I use julienned carrot for this and make sure to chop it finely
seeds – I add an equal amount of pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds
spices – for creating that classic carrot cake flavor I add nutmeg, ginger and cloves, but if you prefer you can also add a gingerbread spice mix or even a speculaas spice mix. That will change the flavor slightly but will still be delicious
honey – when you want to create that delicious crunch and small clusters of the baked granola, honey works best. It can also be replaced with maple syrup if you prefer to make a vegan granola
oil – I like to use sunflower oil for that crispy finish, but any other neutral vegetable oil will work as well

How To Make Carrot Cake Granola

Whether making any granola and certainly also this carrot cake granola, you need a large bowl and a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can also use two baking sheets if you prefer.

You add all the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix the honey and oil into it. Stir the granola mixture until all ingredients have a thin layer of the oil and honey. Spread them in a single layer on your baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes or until the mixture is golden brown. Stir halfway through so it bakes evenly.

Let it cool completely before you store it. After baking you can add extra’s like golden raisins or other dried fruit.

Storing Carrot Cake Granola

You can store the carrot cake granola in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Do make sure to let it cool down completely before you store it or it will loose it’s crunch.

Can I freeze carrot cake granola?

Yes, granola freezes very well. If you do freeze it, it will keep for about 3 months.

More Recipes with a Carrot Cake Twist

I love carrot cake, and luckily those warm, spiced flavors are easy to incorporate into all kinds of baked treats by adding the right balance of carrots and spices. Here are a few more favorites with a carrot cake twist:

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Yes. Quick oats will work, but the granola will have a softer texture and won’t be quite as crunchy. Rolled oats are the best choice for classic granola.

Does the carrot become crispy?

No. The grated carrot dries out as it bakes but doesn’t become crispy. Instead, it adds a subtle sweetness and helps create the signature carrot cake flavor.

Can I make this carrot cake granola vegan?

Absolutely. Simply replace the honey with maple syrup or agave syrup for a completely vegan version.

Can I use different nuts or seeds?

Yes! Feel free to swap the pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds for your favorites. Almonds, hazelnuts, chopped cashews, chia seeds, or flaxseeds all work well. After baking I like to add things like dried fruits or raisins.

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