Best Pumpkin Oatmeal

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This healthy and cozy pumpkin oatmeal makes the perfect breakfast for a chilly fall morning. It has a ton of pumpkin flavor with a little spice and a touch of sweetness.

When I think of fall mornings, my mind instantly goes to creating the coziest morning routine. In my dream world, I would make a fancy caffeinated beverage and then get this pumpkin oatmeal going on the stove.

Overhead shot of two bowls of pumpkin oatmeal topped with pecans.

It’s packed with pumpkin flavor and comforting spices and is the perfect balance of savory and sweet. I love that it comes together in no time at all so I can savor my fall morning!

Ingredients measured out to make pumpkin oatmeal: oats, water, pumpkin, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt and pumpkin pie spice.

Here’s What You Need

  • old fashioned rolled oats – rolled oats make for a super creamy bowl of oatmeal and are my personal favorite type of oatmeal! I typically use Bob’s Red Mill rolled oats, which are gluten-free. If you’re looking to use steel cut oats, try this pumpkin pie oatmeal instead.
  • water – the liquid you’ll cook the oats in. You can also use milk if you’d like your bowl of oatmeal to be extra creamy. Unsweetened almond milk is my favorite for oatmeal.
  • pumpkin puree – make homemade pumpkin puree or use store bought. If you are using canned, make sure it’s pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling! Pumpkin pie mix has added sugar!
  • pumpkin pie spice – make your own pumpkin pie spice or purchase a store-bought blend
  • cinnamon – compliments the pumpkin flavors perfectly.
  • salt – just a hint to bring all of the flavors together.
  • toppings – feel free to use your favorite toppings, but I used chopped pecans, a splash of milk and maple syrup.
tip!If you're looking to add protein to your oatmeal, try this protein pumpkin oatmeal instead!
Side by side photos of a pot with ingredients to make pumpkin oatmeal before and after being cooked.

How to Make Oatmeal on the Stovetop

Combine ingredients – Add rolled oats, water, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and a dash of salt to a medium saucepan and heat over medium/high heat.

Simmer – Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Serve – The oatmeal is ready when the oats have soaked up most of the liquid and the oats are creamy, thick and fluffy.

Add toppings and enjoy – Transfer oats to a bowl and add pecans, a splash of milk and maple syrup, to taste.

Pumpkin oatmeal topped with whole pecans. A gold spoon rests inside the bowl.

How to Make Oatmeal in the Microwave

My preferred method of making oatmeal is on the stovetop, but you can also microwave it if you’re short on time!

Just add the rolled oats, water, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and a dash of salt into a microwave-safe bowl with plenty of room for the oats to expand and bubble up. Microwave for 1 minute, stir and then microwave at 30 seconds increments, stirring between each one.

Cook until the oatmeal is the consistency you like – it usually takes about 2-3 minutes, but you’ll know it’s ready when most of the liquid is absorbed and the oats are hot.

Overhead shot of two bowls of pumpkin oatmeal, one bowl is mostly out of frame.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Toppings

Surprisingly, this pumpkin oatmeal is really versatile. Here are some topping ideas:

  • maple syrup – I always love adding an extra drizzle of maple syrup to sweeten my oatmeal a bit.
  • pecans – pecans compliment the flavors in this oatmeal perfectly!
  • milk – add a splash of milk to thin out the oatmeal a bit if you’d like. Any milk works!
  • coconut whipped cream – feeling fancy? Add coconut whipped cream for added creaminess and sweetness!
  • granola – add extra crunch and flavor by sprinkling some granola on top. This pumpkin granola would be delicious!

More Pumpkin Recipes to Try

More Oatmeal Recipes to Try

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3.94 from 46 votes

Pumpkin Oatmeal

This healthy and cozy pumpkin oatmeal makes the perfect breakfast for a chilly fall morning. It has a ton of pumpkin flavor with a little spice and a touch of sweetness.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Add oats, water, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt into a medium saucepan.
    A white saucepan with ingredients for pumpkin oatmeal.
  • Heat over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. Be sure to stir the oats several times while cooking to make sure the oats don't stick to the pot. You’ll know the oatmeal is done when all the liquid is absorbed and the oats are thick and fluffy.
    A saucepan with cooked pumpkin oatmeal.
  • Portion oatmeal into two bowls and add pecans, a splash of milk and maple syrup, to taste.

Notes

  • Water: You can also use milk if you’d like your bowl of oatmeal to be extra creamy. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 of recipe without toppings | Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pumpkin oatmeal
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
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14 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Chefs kiss! Loved adding pumpkin to my oatmeal-it gave me all the fall feels! I added pecans, banana, chocolate chips, peanut butter and syrup on top! So delicious! Will make again soon!

    1. So pumped you loved this pumpkin oatmeal, Dana! I love the addition of flax and hemp seed, so great. Thanks so much for the review + star rating. I so appreciate it!

  2. 5 stars
    Love your PB banana oatmeal now I can’t decide which I love more. Used extra water in it because I love the texture of your PB banana oatmeal. Looking forward to your new book

    1. Happy to hear this pumpkin oatmeal was a hit, Amy! Thanks so much for the review. I really appreciate the kind words :).

  3. 5 stars
    So far this week, I have made this oatmeal every morning. It’s SO. GOOD. !!! Last week I made some of your pumpkin spice trail mix, so I’ve been topping the oatmeal with some of that! *chef’s kiss*

    I’ve actually made several of your recipes, but this is the first time I’m reviewing – whoops. Gonna express my appreciation more from now on!

    1. Hey Ann- so pumped to hear you’re loving this pumpkin oatmeal! Thanks so much for trying it out and coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!

    2. 5 stars
      I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks delicious! Joinzoe has a link to it on their app as a healthy breakfast for me.

  4. 1 star
    This is not a rating for this recipe, but for your website. Between the 3 ads and videos that popped up when I opened the page, I had exactly 1.5 inches of my phone screen where I could see the actual recipe. I understand that this is how you make money, but it is greatly affecting usability. I don’t really want to visit your site after this morning, even though I enjoy your recipes. Just wanted to let you know what your readers are experiencing.

    1. Perfect! I am so glad you are loving this recipe, Zenith. Thank you for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!