Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oatmeal

If you love overnight oats, you've got to try this pumpkin spice version. It's filling, healthy, naturally sweetened, and has all the flavors of pumpkin spice. Perfect to have prepped in the fridge for busy mornings. 

While it's true that autumn may be the time of year when pumpkin spice truly shines in the spotlight (I'm looking at you, certain mega coffee chain) – why limit yourself to only indulging your love of all things pumpkin spice during that season, when you're making it at home?!

No matter the weather outside (frightful or not), Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats is a breakfast you can enjoy all year long, and a grand way to get your pumpkin spice fix any time of year – without it feeling weird.

However, there are a few things I should really get out before you go down to the recipe – including how to make it the morning you want it, instead of overnight. 

What Goes in Overnight Oats?

Overnight oatmeal requires nothing you wouldn’t normally put in oatmeal; in fact, since they contain all the same ingredients, you could use this recipe to make instant oatmeal if you really wanted to –

Though I don’t know why you would, when overnight oats taste so much better!

This particular recipe for Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats calls for rolled oats, canned pumpkin, banana, chia seeds, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice mix, almond milk, a sweetener like maple syrup, and a pinch of salt – further down I offer a few suggestions on how you can swap different things out of this recipe, and still eat a gorgeously rich, autumnal breakfast.

How Long do Overnight Oats Take?

Overnight oats typically need about 4 hours to complete the process of cold soaking – a practice involving the immersion of certain foods in a cold fluid to “cook” them – which is why it's generally recommended that you leave them to rest overnight. Since it's just a different cooking method, couscous, quinoa, rice – and yes , oats – can all be cold soaked. Just like leftovers, all of these grains develop a deeply robust flavor profile, made even more complex and rich by time!

Honestly, it will take you longer to gather all the ingredients than it will for you to mix them up, since they take all of five minutes to mix together. Then if you want it hot the next morning, just pop it in the microwave for a minute or two.

Does This Recipe Work the Morning I Want It?

Overnight oats require about 4 hours of soaking to be ready to be eaten, but if you forgot to make your oats the night before – or you’re looking for something quick and easy to make – with a little modification, you can turn this recipe for overnight oats into a quicker oatmeal ready to eat in just 10 minutes!

To make this change you will need to use rolled oats, cooked on the stovetop or in the microwave.  Add all the same ingredients and cook until creamy. They will take 5-7 minutes on the stove and about 3-4 minutes in the microwave. 

You can also use steel-cut oats if that’s what you have on hand. They will require some extra liquid and cooking time. 

Or switch things up and try this delicious Pumpkin Smoothie with greek yogurt for a morning treat.

Make a Big Batch of Plain Oats

If you want to have different flavored oatmeal throughout the week, you can always make a big batch of plain oats and then add your favorite toppings and flavors before eating. Just need to mix the oats, chia seeds, and almond milk together in a large container with a lid. When you want a serving, just spoon out the amount you want and mix in everything else that gives your oatmeal flavor.

Then eat it cold or pop it in the microwave for a minute to a minute and a half. While it's true that the flavor won’t be incorporated as much as regular overnight oats, this is nevertheless a great option for people who quickly grow tired of the same flavor all the time!

Recipe Ideas for Pumpkin Overnight Oatmeal

• Add crunch with pepitas, roasted pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
• Add freshness by topping these oats with some crisp, chopped apple. Apple and pumpkin are two fall flavors that work really well together.
• No one would blame you for adding some chocolate chips to these oats. Pumpkin and chocolate is hard to beat.

Other Overnight Oatmeal Recipes

• Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oatmeal
• PB&J Overnight Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oatmeal
• Zucchini Bread Overnight Oatmeal