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Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Recipe

If you’re anything like me, mornings can be a whirlwind, and finding a breakfast that’s both cozy and quick feels like striking gold. That’s why I’m so excited to share this Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Recipe with you—it’s like a warm hug on a plate, packed with fall flavors and hearty oats to fuel your day. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want a comforting start, this recipe is my go-to for a reason, and I think you’ll love it just as much as I do.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy Prep and Bake: Just mix, pour, and bake—no fuss, no mess.
  • Perfect Fall Flavors: The pumpkin and pumpkin spice combo makes it downright irresistible.
  • Customizable: You can easily sneak in your favorite mix-ins or swap ingredients to suit your diet.
  • Makes Great Leftovers: Enjoy it warm or cold, it holds up beautifully for days.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Recipe plays a simple but vital role. Using rolled oats keeps everything chewy and satisfying, while pumpkin puree and spice give it that classic autumn vibe. I always recommend grabbing fresh pumpkin spice or making your own if you can—it makes a noticeable difference.

  • Olive oil or avocado oil: For greasing the pan to get that perfect golden crust without sticking.
  • Rolled oats: Look for certified gluten free if you need to keep it gluten free — steel-cut won’t work because they take too long to soften.
  • Pumpkin spice: Adds warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove flavors that make this oatmeal sing.
  • Baking powder: Helps the oatmeal puff up just right so it’s fluffy, not dense.
  • Salt: A little pinch balances the sweetness beautifully.
  • Pumpkin puree: Make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pie filling, for the best texture and flavor.
  • Milk of choice: Almond milk works great if you want to keep this dairy-free and light.
  • Eggs: Bind everything together; you can swap flax eggs if you’re vegan or allergic.
  • Vanilla extract: Adds a lovely depth that brings out the sweetness.
  • Maple syrup or honey: Natural sweeteners that blend perfectly without overpowering the pumpkin.
  • Optional toppings (chocolate chips, nuts, raisins): Because sometimes a little extra mix-in or crunch makes it even better.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. You’ll find yourself wanting to tweak it every time, depending on what you have in the pantry or how you like your oatmeal.

  • Chocolate lover’s twist: Adding a handful of chocolate chips right before baking turns this into an indulgent treat my family can’t resist.
  • Nutty upgrade: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a beautiful crunch and depth—perfect if you like texture in your bite.
  • Dairy-free tweak: Swap in coconut milk for a slightly tropical flavor boost that pairs amazingly with the pumpkin.
  • Vegan version: Replace eggs with flax eggs, and use maple syrup to keep it fully plant-based without sacrificing taste or texture.

How to Make Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Step 1: Prepping Your Ingredients and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing an 8×8-inch baking dish with a little olive or avocado oil. This step might seem small, but trust me—it makes removing the finished oatmeal so much easier and helps get that golden crust we all love.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, toss together your oats, pumpkin spice, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. This makes sure the flavors are evenly spread, and your baking powder will do its magic right when the wet ingredients hit.

Step 3: Mix in the Wet Ingredients

Add the pumpkin puree, milk, eggs, vanilla, and maple syrup (or honey) to the bowl. Stir everything gently but thoroughly—no need to overmix here, just until combined and everything looks uniform.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Set

Pour your mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Slide it into the oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes. The oatmeal is ready when the edges puff up, the center is set (give it a gentle shake to check), and the top turns a warm golden color. Don’t worry if it still feels slightly soft when you pull it out—that’s normal. It’ll firm up as it cools.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Let the baked oatmeal cool for 5 minutes before slicing. I know—it’s tempting to dig right in! This resting time helps it hold together for perfect squares. Serve warm with your favorite toppings like yogurt, fresh fruit, or maybe even a drizzle of extra maple syrup. Pure comfort in every bite.

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Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Recipe

  • Don’t Skip the Rest: Baking straight from the oven may seem like the best way but letting it cool slightly lets the texture set perfectly for cleaner slices.
  • Customize With Toppings Before Baking: I like to sprinkle chocolate chips or nuts on top before baking to keep them toasted and melty.
  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything combine smoothly, making a consistent texture.
  • Watch Your Baking Time: Ovens vary; keep an eye from the 28-minute mark to avoid overbaking which can dry the oatmeal out.

How to Serve Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Recipe

A close-up view of a baked oat square with chocolate chips on top, being lifted from a white baking dish with a metal spatula held by a woman's hand. The oat squares are golden brown with a rough, crumbly texture and scattered dark brown chocolate chips unevenly placed on the surface. The dish contains multiple oat squares, all evenly cut, sitting on a white marbled surface. In the blurred background, there is a small bowl with an orange spread or filling. The image captures the oat square’s dense, moist interior and crispy top layer photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

When I serve this pumpkin baked oatmeal, I love topping it with a dollop of Greek yogurt or coconut whipped cream for a creamy touch. Fresh fruit like sliced bananas or berries adds a burst of color and brightness, and sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon or extra drizzle of maple syrup seals the deal perfectly.

Side Dishes

This baked oatmeal is hearty enough to stand on its own, but if you want to round out breakfast, I often pair it with scrambled eggs or a crisp green salad for a brunch vibe. A hot cup of coffee or chai tea makes the whole meal feel like a little celebration.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve baked this recipe in muffin tins to make portable, single-serving baked oatmeal cups. They’re perfect for school lunches or breakfast gatherings. Another fun idea is layering warm baked oatmeal with yogurt and granola parfait-style—an impressive-looking yet simple morning treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After letting the baked oatmeal cool completely, I store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to four days, making it a lifesaver for busy mornings when you want a healthy start without fuss. I usually slice it right in the container to grab portions easily.

Freezing

This recipe freezes really well! I cut it into individual squares, wrap each in plastic wrap or parchment paper, and pop them into a freezer bag. When you want one, just thaw overnight in the fridge or gently warm it in the microwave. It tastes just as good as fresh.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in the microwave for about 45 seconds to a minute, adding a splash of milk to keep it moist. If you want that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, you can also heat it in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Either way, it comes out just as comforting and delicious.

FAQs

  1. Can I use steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats?

    Steel-cut oats are much heartier and take longer to cook, so they aren’t ideal for this baked oatmeal recipe. Rolled oats soften nicely when baked, giving you the perfect chewy texture, whereas steel-cut oats would remain tough and unfinished.

  2. What’s the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling?

    Pumpkin puree is just cooked, pureed pumpkin with no added sugar or spices, while pumpkin pie filling is sweetened and spiced, meant as a ready-to-use pie base. For this recipe, you want plain puree to control the sweetness and spice levels yourself.

  3. Is this recipe gluten free?

    It can be, if you use certified gluten-free rolled oats and ensure any toppings or add-ins are also gluten free. Oats themselves are gluten free, but cross-contamination is common, so look for labeled products if you’re sensitive.

  4. How can I make this recipe vegan?

    Swap the eggs for flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water per egg, mixed and set for 5 minutes) and use maple syrup as your sweetener. Also use a plant-based milk like almond or soy to keep it fully vegan.

  5. Can I prepare this recipe the night before?

    This baked oatmeal comes together quickly, but you can mix all the ingredients the night before and refrigerate the batter. Bake fresh in the morning for best texture. Alternatively, bake ahead and reheat slices for a super quick breakfast.

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Recipe has become a cozy ritual in my kitchen, especially when the chill of fall sets in. It’s simple, satisfying, and feels like a little celebration every time you dig in. If you’ve been searching for a reliable way to enjoy pumpkin for breakfast—and trust me, you will after trying this—this recipe is exactly what you need. Give it a try, and I promise you won’t look back!

Print
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Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 79 reviews
  • Author: Mia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 9 servings
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal is a comforting and nutritious breakfast treat perfect for fall. Made with wholesome rolled oats, pumpkin puree, warm pumpkin spice, and a touch of maple syrup, it’s easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection. Topped optionally with chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins, this dish offers a hearty, flavorful start to your day that’s great warm or stored for quick meals throughout the week.


Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • Olive oil or avocado oil, for greasing
  • 2 cups rolled oats (use certified gluten free if needed)
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 ¼ cup milk of choice (almond milk works great if dairy-free)
  • 2 large eggs (can substitute flax eggs to make egg-free)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey

Optional Toppings

  • Chocolate chips
  • Nuts
  • Raisins
  • Toppings of choice


Instructions

  1. Preheat and grease: Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃). Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with olive or avocado oil to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, pumpkin spice, baking powder, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices throughout the oats.
  3. Add wet ingredients: Add the pumpkin puree, milk of choice, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup (or honey) to the bowl with dry ingredients. Stir everything together until fully incorporated into a uniform batter.
  4. Prepare for baking: Pour and spread the oatmeal mixture evenly into the greased baking dish. If desired, sprinkle chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, or other toppings on top.
  5. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The oatmeal is done when the edges are puffed, the center is set, and the top turns a golden color.
  6. Cool and serve: Remove the baked oatmeal from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing. The texture will be soft immediately out of the oven but will firm up as it cools. Serve warm, optionally topped with yogurt, a splash of milk, honey or maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.
  7. Store leftovers: After cooling completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for quick, healthy breakfasts throughout the week.

Notes

  • This recipe can easily be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free rolled oats.
  • For an egg-free version, substitute each egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit 5 minutes).
  • The pumpkin spice blend can be homemade or store-bought, typically containing cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
  • Feel free to customize with your favorite mix-ins like dried fruit, seeds, or different nuts for extra texture and flavor.
  • Make sure to not use pumpkin pie filling as it contains added sugars and spices not intended for this baking recipe.
  • Best served warm but can be eaten cold or reheated for convenience.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/9 of recipe)
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 140mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

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