This Pumpkin Oatmeal is sweet and creamy, packed with wonderful seasonal flavors. It's a super simple breakfast made with wholesome ingredients and without processed sugars. Oats, sweet pumpkin, and beautiful spices make this fall-inspired meal perfect for mornings.
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There's something truly wonderful in sweet pumpkin flavors. They are cozy and warming. Mellow and welcoming. It feels like Autumn itself is hugging you with the last rays of sunshine.
I believe having pumpkin-spiced everything is completely allowed now. I dare to say required. Warmth and snugging feelings are what we all need now when days are becoming short and chilly nights are getting colder.
I'm enjoying every second of this beautiful Fall with sweet pumpkin treats and cozy pumpkin spiced drinks in my hands. Pumpkin Oatmeal is just one of many foods on my favorite list right now.
This pumpkin spice oatmeal is absolutely beautiful. Creamy, sweet, and packed with seasonal flavors, energizing and filling. And it tastes just like warm pumpkin pie. Completely amazing breakfast!
Why do you need to make this?
- It's incredibly creamy, warming and delicious.
- It's full of seasonal flavors, spiced with beautiful pumpkin spice.
- It's easy to make with only a few pantry ingredients.
- It's a healthy meal packed with proteins, fibers and Omega-3s.
- It's made without unhealthy processed sugars.
- It's done in 10 minutes. You can cook it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- It's very satisfying, nurishing and great for weight loss.
- It can be made in batch, stored in the fridge, and easily warmed in the morning for a quick healthy breakfast throughout the week.
Ingredients used
This pumpkin pie oatmeal recipe is very simple. You will need only basic pantry ingredients:
- Rolled oats. Oats are whole grain, meaning they are rich in fiber, especially beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that keeps our heart healthy. They also support healthy digestion, which is essential for strong immunity. I used rolled oats.
- Milk. I like using oat milk, but any type of milk will work.
- Pumpkin puree. Pumpkin puree is sweet and flavorful but also loaded with nutrients. It's packed with vitamins and minerals, and especially high in beta-carotene, a potent antioxidant that our body turns into vitamin A which is essential for a strong immune system. (1)
- Sweetener. Honey or pure maple syrup are the best. See "Recipe tips" for more suggestions.
- Pumpkin spice. I love homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice blend. It features super spice Ceylon cinnamon known for its anti-inflammatory properties. (2).
I always like to add something to boost my meals. In this pumpkin oatmeal, I added:
- Flax seeds. They are an excellent source of Omega-3s, but also a great source of fibers and proteins. Great addition to oatmeal porridge.
I topped the oatmeal with pepitas (pumpkin seeds), dried cranberries, pecans, and pear. This is optional.
How to make Pumpkin Oatmeal
Making pumpkin spice oatmeal porridge is very simple, and it takes 10 minutes to complete. You can use the classic stovetop method or make it in a microwave.
Equipment used
- Measuring cups.
- Small saucepan.
- Whisk.
Step by step instructions (stovetop method)
- Step 1: Prepare the ingredients.
- Start with preparing and measuring all the ingredients. Use measuring cups.
- Step 2: Cook the oats.
- Place milk in a in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- As soon as it boils, reduce heat to medium.
- Add in oats, ground flax seeds, sweetener, pinch of salt, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin pure. Mix everything using the whisk.
- Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until oats soften. Don't forget to stir.
- Remove the oats from the heat.
- Taste the oatmeal and adjust sweetness.
- Pour oatmeal in a serving bowl. Set aside.
- Step 3: Prepare toppings.
- Wash and dice pear into small cubes, (no need to peel).
- Step 4: Assemble the oatmeal.
- Add toppings over the cooked oatmeal.
- Serve warm.
Step by step instructions (microweave method)
- Step 1: Prepare the ingredients.
- Start with preparing and measuring all the ingredients. Use measuring cups.
- Step 2: Microweave the oats.
- Place milk, oats, ground flax seeds, sweetener, pinch of salt, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin pure in microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway, just until the oats soften.
- Taste the oatmeal and adjust sweetness.
- Pour oatmeal in a serving bowl. Set aside.
- Step 3: Prepare toppings.
- Wash and dice pear into small cubes, (no need to peel).
- Step 4: Assemble the oatmeal.
- Add toppings over the cooked oatmeal.
- Serve warm.
Substitutions
- You can substitute oat milk with any milk - organic soy milk, cashew milk, or almond milk. Cow’s milk works well too. Coconut milk won't work well here.
- You can substitute rolled oats with quick oats. Note: quick oats will turn very mushy if you cooki it too long. But if you like creamier, softer texture, then quick oats are the way to go.
- You can use honey or maple syrup. See "Recipe tips" for more suggestions.
- You can substitute flax seeds with chia seeds or hemp seeds.
- For 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, substitute: ¾ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon ginger + a dash of allspice, and nutmeg, with just a touch of cloves.
- See "Recipe variations" for more suggestions.
Tips for storing
- You can double the portions and cook extra.
- Store leftovers in a container and cover them with the lid.
- Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Recipe variations
- Dried fruit suggestions: dried cherries, raisins, sultanas, or goji berries, dried chopped plums.
- Pair fresh pear with more fruits: fresh pomegranate, blackberries, plum, peach.
- Other toppins suggestions: peanuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts.
- Make it weight loss friendly: Use low-fat milk and low-carb sweetener. Omit adding dried fruits to cut down the sugars.
- Make it protein-packed: Add a scoop of protein powder. I recommend vanilla protein powder. Add protein powder after you cook oatmeal.
- Make it gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats.
Recipe tips
- Rolled oats are the best for making the oatmeal. Instant quick oats are also ok but can turn out mushy. Steel-cut oats will need longer cooking time, about 20 minutes.
- Make sure you grind flax seeds before using them. Using ground flax seeds is the best way to make the most of their health benefits.
- Reheating the oatmeal in the microwave: Simply add a splash of milk, give it a stir, then pop it in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until heated through.
- Reheating the oatmeal on the stovetop: Add a bit of milk just to loosen it a bit, then warm it up, stirring on low heat.
- Sweetener recommendation:
- You can use honey or maple syrup. Make sure you use honey in liquid form.
- Date syrup or molasses are great options too. Note that they can make oats darker in color.
- Use stevia or any low-carb sweetener for a low-calorie option.
- Alternatively, you can make the topping by mixing cubed pear with coconut sugar, chopped pecans, and grated fresh ginger. Cook in a small saucepan until pear caramelize and soften. Topp the oatmeal with cooked pears for extra yumminess.
- For Pumpkin Protein Oatmeal: If you're adding protein powder, then omit adding sweetener. Protein powder will give oats enough sweetness.
Recipe
Pumpkin Oatmeal
Equipment
- Small saucepan
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 ¼ cup milk I used oat
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- pinch of salt
- Toppings: pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, pecans, fresh diced pear (optional, see "Recipe variations" for more ideas)
Instructions
- Place milk in a in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- As soon as it boils, reduce heat to medium.
- Add in oats, ground flax seeds, sweetener, pinch of salt, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin pure. Mix everything using the whisk.
- Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until oats soften. Don't forget to stir.
- Remove the oats from the heat.
- Taste the oatmeal and adjust sweetness.
- Pour oatmeal in a serving bowl.
- Add toppings over the cooked oatmeal (optional).
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Substitute oat milk with any plant-based milk. Cow’s milk works well too. Coconut milk won't work well here.
- Substitute rolled oats with quick oats. Note: quick oats will turn very mushy if you cook them too long. But if you like creamier, softer texture, then quick oats are the way to go.
- You can use honey or maple syrup. See "Recipe tips" for more suggestions.
- Substitute flax seeds with chia seeds or hemp seeds.
- For 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, substitute: ¾ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon ginger + a dash of allspice, and nutmeg, with just a touch of cloves.
- Store leftovers in a container and cover them with the lid. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Nora says
A perfect fall breakfast that you just can't get enough of! Excellent recipe!
Brandy says
With these chillier mornings this oatmeal really hits the spot! Plus, it's so easy to make and very tasty!
Sara says
Just like having pumpkin pie for breakfast, but I love knowing it's actually good for me :) Such a great breakfast for the fall!