Microwave Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

This quick and easy Microwave Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal is the perfect fall breakfast made with canned pumpkin, rolled oats, and banana for natural sweetness. Pumpkin lovers will also love these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins and Microwave Pumpkin Custard.

Pumpkin season is in full swing and what better way to start the day than a big bowl of Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal that is ready in under 5 minutes? Personally, I go back and forth when it comes to pumpkin. Sometimes I am all about it and other times I never want to hear or see a pumpkin recipe again. I blame the internet. People have definitely gone pumpkin spice crazy.

However, right now I am all aboard the pumpkin train since the season is just starting, and have been loving these oats for breakfast. Made with a mashed banana for natural sweetness, these oats are packed with hearty, good-for-you ingredients that will keep you full all morning.

One more thing about microwave oatmeal. I hope this recipe inspires you to start making your own oatmeal at home instead of buying the little packets. Making your own is so much healthier, plus it tastes better! You get to control the amount of sugar, you get to use fresh and real ingredients, and you decide how it tastes. It takes the same amount of time but tastes so much better to make your own at home.

What can I add to pumpkin oatmeal?

There are so many options when it comes to adding extra toppings to your oatmeal. It's one of the things I love about eating oatmeal - I get to add anything and everything on top.

• I love the tang of a little dollop of vanilla yogurt on my oats. Coconut yogurt is also a great option.
• Consider adding some dried cranberries for even more fall flavor.
• Add crunch with chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds.
• For added fiber and Omega 3 fatty acids, add some ground flaxseed meal to your pumpkin oats.
• If you want something sweet, try adding chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.
• For some extra protein, add some nut butter drizzled on top. I am partial to almond butter and cashew butter since it doesn't overpower the pumpkin flavor.
• Fresh fruit is another great option - try adding some blueberries or pomegranate seeds.
• If you aren't a huge fan of pumpkin pie spice, you can make this with just cinnamon.
• If you don't like bananas, leave out the banana and use a 1/2 cup of almond milk. Then add a touch of brown sugar or some extra maple syrup.

Can I make this on the stovetop?

This recipe easily translates to the stovetop. Simply add the mashed banana, pumpkin, almond milk, oats, maybe syrup, and pumpkin pie spice to a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil and immediately turn down to a simmer. Cook 3-5 minutes until heated through.

Would this work for overnight oats?

Sure! This recipe works great as an option for overnight oats as well. Simply combine everything but the walnuts in a jar or airtight container. Place in the fridge for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. Stir well and add walnuts to serve. If you are making overnight oats, consider making extra portions so you have breakfast ready for the week.

What's the best pumpkin to buy?

Make sure to buy canned pumpkin (or you can make homemade) that doesn't have anything added. It should be pure pumpkin puree without any added spices or sugar. In most stores the other option is pumpkin pie filling, this is not what you want.

If you have trouble finding pumpkin puree, any winter squash puree works. Normally in our store I can find canned butternut squash puree or can buy frozen butternut squash puree. It tastes almost the same once you add the spices.

Would this work with instant oats? What about steel-cut oats?

This recipe turns out best when made with rolled old fashioned oats. Instant oats have been processed so that they will cook more quickly. This means they have less texture and will result in really mushy oatmeal. If you want to try and make this with instant oats, I would recommend cooking the instant oats in almond milk according to package directions. Then stir in the mashed banana and pumpkin puree along with the maple syrup and pumpkin spice. 

Steel-cut oats can not be cooked in the microwave and require a different amount of liquid to cook. If you want to make steel-cut oats with pumpkin, start by cooking the steel cut oats in almond milk. Then simply stir the pumpkin, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice into the cooked oats.

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