1. In a jar or a small bowl with a lid, add the rolled oats, grated carrots, chia seeds, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir these dry ingredients together gently to ensure they are well combined. This helps distribute the spices evenly.

2. Pour in the almond milk and maple syrup. If you’re adding optional chopped nuts or raisins, now is the time to stir them in as well.

3. Stir everything together very well. Make sure there are no clumps of oats or chia seeds sticking to the bottom or sides of the jar. A good stir ensures even absorption and prevents a gummy texture.

4. Place a lid tightly on the jar or cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Transfer it to the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight (8 hours) for the best texture and flavor development.

5. In the morning, open the jar and give the oats a good stir. The mixture should be thick and creamy. If it’s too thick for your liking, you can add a splash more almond milk and stir until it reaches your desired consistency.

6. Spoon the overnight oats into a serving bowl or eat directly from the jar. You can enjoy them cold, or if you prefer them warm, heat gently in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. Add any desired toppings before serving.