Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

This vegan pumpkin spice oatmeal is exactly what you need to start your fall mornings in the best way possible. Thick, creamy, and infused with pumpkin puree and warm spices, these oats come together in just 15 minutes! Even better? It can be made into overnight oats, on the stovetop, in the microwave, instant pot, or crock pot/slow cooker.

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• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Variations & Substitutions
• Topping Suggestions
• Expert Tips
• FAQ
• Other recipes you might like
• Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

Who here think having dessert for breakfast is acceptable? All of us? Great, because this pumpkin oatmeal has all the same yummy flavors and smells of a pumpkin pie. It's truly the ultimate cozy fall breakfast.

This recipe is naturally healthy, vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, nut-free, and can be served as is or with your favorite toppings, like granola, pumpkin seeds, or dried fruit.

Ingredients

• Old Fashioned Oats: it wouldn't be oatmeal without some oats! Old fashioned oats will give you the best texture while still being quick to make. You can use steel cut oats for this recipe, but it will take a bit longer to make and you will need to adjust the the liquid according to package instructions.
• Non-Dairy Milk: You can use whatever unsweetened non-dairy milk you like! I personally used homemade oat milk because I love how creamy it is in comparison to other plant based milks.
• Maple Syrup: to act as our natural sweetener!
• Pumpkin Puree: not pumpkin pie filling, just canned pure pumpkin.
• Pumpkin Spice: we'll be making our own pumpkin spice in this recipe by using a medley of cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, all spice, and ground cloves! However, you can totally use store bought pumpkin if that's easier for you.

Instructions

I chose to make this oatmeal on the stovetop, but it can also be made overnight, in an instant pot, in the microwave, or in a crockpot/slow cooker.

Stovetop Instructions

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1. Add the oats, non-dairy milk, water, and salt to a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, immediately reduce to low heat and bring to a simmer.
2. Once simmering, stir in the maple syrup, pumpkin purée, and all of the spices.
3. Cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until the liquids have absorbed to your liking but the oats are soft and pleasant to chew. They shouldn't be watery (unless you prefer that, than by all means)! If you want the oats thicker, cook for a few extra minutes; if you like them runnier/thinner, add another splash of milk.
4. Taste and adjust as desired (do so sparingly, as a little bit of the spices go a long way). Serve immediately and top with additional maple syrup, pecans, pepitas, dried fruit, or whatever your favorite toppings are!

Microwave Instructions

1. To a large microwave-safe bowl (larger than you think you need because the oatmeal will bubble up and is prone to exploding/overflowing) add oats, milk, water, and salt. Microwave on high for 2 ½ minutes, stopping to stir after 1 minute. If you see the oats starting to bubble up, open the microwave and give it a stir so it doesn't overflow.
2. Once done, remove from the microwave and stir in the maple syrup, pumpkin puree, and spices. Taste and adjust, add your toppings of choice, and enjoy!

Pumpkin Overnight Oats Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to an airtight container, like a mason jar or Tupperware that can be sealed with a lid, and stir to combine.
2. Seal the container and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. When ready to serve, stir and desired toppings. The oats will have absorbed almost all of the liquid. Taste and adjust, adding a splash of milk if desired.

Instant Pot Instructions

You will need to double the recipe unless you are using a small 3 quart instant pot.

1. Combine all ingredients into the bottom of an Instant Pot insert and stir well to combine.
2. Attach lid, turn to lock, and set valve to 'SEALING.'
3. Manually set to cook for 1 minute on HIGH pressure, it should take about 10-12 minutes to come to pressure then let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes. Total cooking time should be about 17 – 20 minutes.
4. Taste and adjust, then serve with your toppings of choice.

Crockpot or Slow Cooker Instructions

You will need to double the recipe unless you are using a small 3 quart crockpot or slow cooker.

1. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a slow cooker and stir well to combine.
2. Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
3. Taste and adjust, then serve with your toppings of choice.

Variations & Substitutions

I love this recipe is as but there a definitely a few ways you could successfully change it up!

Use brown sugar, coconut sugar, or agave instead of maple syrup. Simply swap out the maple syrup with the sweetener of your choice at a 1:1 ratio.

Make this oatmeal without milk by just replacing the non-dairy milk with water.

Use steel cut oats instead of old fashioned oats. Use 3 cups of milk and/or water instead of just 2 ½, but refer to the liquid to oat ratio on the packaging to be sure. Take note that using steel cut oats will take a bit longer to cook!

Topping Suggestions

• Fresh fruit like bananas or apples
• Nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, pecans, or walnuts
• Dried fruit like cranberries or raisins
• Granola
• Nut butters
• Chocolate chips or cacao nibs

Expert Tips

• Keep this recipe gluten-free by ensuring you buy certified gluten-free oats.
• For the best texture, only use old fashioned oats or steel oats. Do not use quick oats or instant oats, they'll be way too mushy.
• If you're cooking on the stovetop, make sure you reduce the heat to low right when it begins to boil. I have forgotten to do this and I've ended up with burnt, yet undercooked, oats.

FAQ

Other recipes you might like

• Pumpkin Coffee Cake
• Oat Milk
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Be sure to leave a comment and rating down below if you try this recipe! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Instagram for more recipes and updates.

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