Pumpkin Overnight Oats

When autumn comes, it’s all about cozy sweaters, warm blankets and pumpkin spice lattes. Another fall favorite? None other than a classic pumpkin pie. If pumpkin pie is your favorite treat, this dessert-turned-breakfast is the perfect fit for you.

Pumpkin overnight oats are simple to make, producing a hearty breakfast with little effort. This version harnesses all the delicious flavor of pumpkin pie with warm notes of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger to produce a make-ahead breakfast that tastes just like taking a bite out of a slice of pie.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Overnight Oats

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• Rolled oats: Oats are the most important ingredient for overnight pumpkin oats. For the best liquid absorption and best results, use rolled oats or old-fashioned oats rather than quick or instant oats.
• Canned pumpkin: Canned pumpkin—not pumpkin pie filling—is the best fit for this recipe. That way, you can easily control the level of sweetness in the mixture to your liking.
• Milk: While we suggest 2% milk for our pumpkin spice overnight oats, any milk, cream or dairy-free milk alternative will work.
• Greek yogurt: Adding a few tablespoons of Greek yogurt transforms this recipe. Not only does yogurt provide great protein, but it also makes these overnight oats that much creamier.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds just a touch of sweetness to these pumpkin pie overnight oats. But if preferred, it can be skipped altogether. You can also swap in other sweeteners such as maple syrup, honey or date syrup.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract rounds out the flavor of the overnight pumpkin oats with its delicate sweetness. Vanilla paste can be used too.
• Pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice is a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger. This is what gives pumpkin pie its great flavor, and it plays an important role in this pumpkin spice overnight oats recipe. You can choose to make your own pumpkin pie spice or use a store-bought option from the spice aisle.

Directions

Step 1: Whisk the dry ingredients

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In a small bowl, whisk together the oats, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice.

Step 2: Mix in the wet ingredients

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Stir in the milk, pumpkin, Greek yogurt and vanilla until well combined.

Step 3: Divide into containers and chill

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Evenly divide the mixture into two jars. Seal the jars and place them in the fridge. Let the oats chill overnight or for at least four hours. If desired, top with dried cranberries and walnuts or other toppings before serving.

Editor’s Tip: A measuring cup makes it easy to equally portion the mixture into the jars.

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Recipe Variations

• Add mix-ins: Stir chia seeds, flaxseeds, flaked coconut, pumpkin seeds or crushed pecans into the pumpkin pie overnight oats mixture for more texture.
• Finish with toppings: Before eating, top the overnight pumpkin oats with pumpkin butter, Nutella, mini chocolate chips, maple syrup, honey, pumpkin-flavored yogurt or even candied pumpkin seeds.
• Make the oatmeal thicker: If you prefer thicker overnight oats, reduce the milk by a few tablespoons.

How to Store Pumpkin Overnight Oats

It’s important to store overnight oats in airtight containers—such as small Mason jars—in the fridge. Within an airtight seal, overnight pumpkin oats can last in the fridge for up to five days, making them ideal for meal prepping.

Can you make pumpkin overnight oats ahead of time?

Yes, in fact you must make these pumpkin pie overnight oats at least the night before enjoying them. And they can be made up to five days in advance. They are ideal meal-prep breakfasts to get through busy weekday mornings.

Pumpkin Overnight Oats Tips

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Can you use pumpkin pie filling instead?

It’s best to use pure canned pumpkin rather than pumpkin pie filling for this recipe. Pumpkin pie filling is made with pumpkin, water, sugar, salt and spices. Using pumpkin pie filling will not result in the same texture and flavor as using canned pumpkin.

Do I have to cook pumpkin overnight oats?

The beauty of this pumpkin spice overnight oats recipe is that there’s no need to cook it. Simply stir everything together the night before so the oats have a chance to slowly soak up the liquids. The oats will be perfect by the morning.

Can you eat pumpkin overnight oats warm?

Absolutely! If you prefer warm pumpkin pie overnight oats, simply spoon the contents from the jar into a microwave-safe bowl and zap until warmed through. Or, heat the overnight pumpkin oats in a saucepan until warmed through. There’s nothing like a bowl of steaming oatmeal on a cold morning, especially when it tastes like pumpkin pie!