Enjoy a cake packed with the sweet flavors of apple, banana, and carrot. This high-protein (7g), low calorie (150 kcal), gluten free recipe has no added sugars, making it an incredibly delicious, healthy treat.

I remember my mom’s kitchen filling with delicious smells whenever we had apples.

Every Sunday afternoon, the room filled with the warm, sweet aroma of cinnamon and baked apples. The results were just comforting.

When I grew up, I wanted to give that same feeling to my family.

And, this apple oatmeal carrot cake with cottage cheese is exactly that. A modern, healthy way of making an apple cake.

You know I’m all down for tasty and simplicity. This is a simple, one-bowl recipe that comes together in a matter of minutes.

It’s my go-to recipe when I want to whip up something quick and easy when I have guests coming over. And, this recipe shows that healthy can be equally delicious.

It’s naturally gluten-free, made with wholesome ingredients, and without any added sugars. And yet it’s still naturally sweet!

Ingredients and Substitutes

Rolled oats (2 cups or 200g) – Replace with quick oats or oat flour if you want a finer texture.

Cottage cheese (1 cup) – Swap with Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese to keep that creamy consistency. If you want a plant-based option, use silken tofu.

Milk (1/4 cup) – Choose any plant-based milk, such as almond, soy, or oat milk.

Banana, cut into rough pieces (1 ripe) – You can also use unsweetened applesauce or mashed sweet potato.

Eggs (3)

Carrot, chopped (1 medium) – Substitute with grated zucchini or sweet potato.

Apple, diced (1 large) – You can also use pears, peaches, or even berries if you want a unique twist.

Chia seeds (1 tbsp) – You can replace with flaxseeds.

Baking soda (1 tsp)

Walnuts, chopped (1/4 cup) – Swap with pecans, almonds, or pumpkin seeds.

How to Make Apple Oatmeal Carrot Cake with Cottage Cheese

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare an 8-inch springform cake pan by lining it with parchment paper and greasing it. Add the rolled oats, cottage cheese, milk, eggs, chia seeds, and baking soda into the blender.  

Step 2. Add the carrots, apples, and banana.

Step 3. Pulse until it forms a batter.

Step 4. Pour the batter into the springform and level it out using a spatula.

Step 5. Sprinkle the top of the walnuts.

Step 6. Place it in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7. Remove from the oven and let it cool down for 10-20 minutes before you serve it.

How I Would Modify This Recipe

• Add Spices. You can add ½ teaspoon of nutmeg or ¼ teaspoon of ginger to the batter to create a warmer cake.
• Boost the Fruit. Toss in a handful of raisins or dried cranberries to add a bit of sweetness.
• Add Frosting. If you want to make it extra indulgent, top the cooled cake with a simple cream cheese frosting with a drizzle of maple syrup.
• Make it Chocolatey. Add ¼ cup of dark chocolate chips to the batter.

My Storage Tips

This is a great recipe to make ahead of time and store for later during the day.

Place any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 5-6 days. You can enjoy it cold straight out of the oven or lightly warm it in the microwave.

If you want to keep it for longer, wrap each piece individually and place it in a freezer-safe container. You can keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More Cake Recipes

• Oatmeal Blueberry Crumb Cake with Cottage Cheese
• Lemon Cottage Cheese Loaf Cake
• Lemon Almond Cottage Cheese Cake