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Enjoy the cozy flavors of fall with creamy vegan pumpkin oatmeal – a quick, easy, healthy, and comforting breakfast. 100% vegan and optionally gluten-free!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Enjoying pumpkin for breakfast has become a fall staple, but as delicious as pumpkin oatmeal muffins and pumpkin waffles are, when you crave something warm and comforting – nothing beats cozy pumpkin oatmeal. It tastes like this easy vegan pumpkin pie but in healthy breakfast form (that still tastes like a treat!) – and my version is dairy-free and easily gluten-free.
This pumpkin spice oatmeal is creamy and delicious, naturally sweetened, incredibly customizable with tasty mix-ins and toppings, and is easy to make, in under 20 minutes. Best of all, it’s made almost entirely of good-for-you ingredients and packed with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins for a filling, satisfying breakfast.
Prefer a chilled pumpkin breakfast recipe? Try my vegan pumpkin overnight oats or creamy pumpkin pie smoothie.
The Ingredients
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and substitutions.
Flavor Variations
- Vanilla extract: Stir in about ½ tsp off-heat for extra warmth.
- Coffee: Add a spoonful of coffee powder for tasty pumpkin spice latte oats.
- Cocoa powder: Add 1 tbsp cocoa powder to give this pumpkin oatmeal recipe a decadent chocolatey twist. Optionally, add vegan chocolate chips, too.
- Dried fruit: Sprinkle in some raisins, cranberries, chopped dates, etc.
- Nut or seed butter: Swirl in a spoonful for added richness, healthy fats, and protein.
- Protein powder: Add a scoop of your favorite vegan protein powder (plain, vanilla, coffee, or chocolate flavor) and add more plant-based milk if needed.
- Chia seeds: A tablespoon of chia (or flax) adds protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats.
Topping Ideas
- Fresh fruit (like banana slices, shredded apples, and/or fresh berries)
- A dollop of vegan whipped cream/yogurt
- Chopped nuts (for crunch, protein, and healthy fats. I.e., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
- Seed/Nut butter (1 T of almond butter, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.)
- Dairy-free chocolate (chips or chunks – or antioxidant-rich cacao nibs)
- Vegan date caramel sauce
- An extra pinch of pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon)
How To Make Pumpkin Oatmeal
Step 1: First, bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the oats, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and a pinch of salt. Mix well, reduce the heat to a simmer, and add a lid, leaving a small opening for steam.
Step 2: Cook the pumpkin oatmeal for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking. Remove it from the heat, cover fully, and leave to sit for 5-10 minutes. When ready, add plant-based milk and sweetener to taste. Mix well, add any toppings of choice, and enjoy!
FAQs
Yes, but the texture is softer, and instant oats only require 1-2 minutes on the stove.
Technically, yes, but you need to use a very deep or large bowl, as the oat mixture expands a lot while cooking. Microwave for 2 minutes, then test and increase in 15-second increments if needed. Then, sweeten to taste.
Unfortunately, steel-cut oats require a different liquid ratio and cooking time (up to 40 minutes). If you want to use them, I recommend making crockpot pumpkin oatmeal. Per 1 cup of steel-cut oats, use 2 ½ cups of water and 1 ½ cup of plant-based milk. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring well before serving.
Not only are oats a fiber-rich wholegrain that contains several vitamins and minerals and helps you feel full for longer, but the pumpkin puree adds those, too (including vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E) as well as antioxidants and beta-carotene (for potential immune-boosting benefits).
Plus, you get to decide how much sweetener to use, and can customize this nutritious breakfast further with healthy add-ins or toppings.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Adjust the consistency: Make thicker oatmeal by simmering it for longer or adding a thickener (like chia or more oats). Make thinner oatmeal with a splash of extra liquid.
- Only simmer: If it’s too hot, the oats will burn/stick, and the plant-based milk may scald.
- Sweeten to taste: Add a little at a time to your desired level.
- Don’t overcook it: Otherwise, the oatmeal can become mushy.
- Don’t skip the salt: Just a tiny pinch really brings out the flavors of the oats.
Storage Instructions
Leave any leftover pumpkin pie oatmeal to cool, then store it in an airtight container for 4-5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in a microwave (in 30-second increments) or on the stove, adding water/plant-based milk as needed to bring back the creamy consistency.
Easy Pumpkin Oatmeal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups of water
- 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup of pumpkin puree
- ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup of plant-based milk
- Sweetener of choice to taste
- Pumpkin seeds optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the water and bring to a boil.
- Add the oats, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and a pinch of salt. Mix well, lower the heat to a simmer, and place the lid on, but slightly tilted so it is not completely closed. Stir occasionally to prevent the oatmeal from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Cook for 5 to 8 minutes. Turn off the heat, close the lid completely, and allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
- When ready to serve, add in the plant-based milk and sweetener to taste. Mix well and and serve.
- Optionally garnish with pumpkin seeds and enjoy warm or cold.
Notes
- Adjust the consistency: Make thicker oatmeal by simmering it for longer or adding a thickener (like chia or more oats). Make thinner oatmeal with a splash of extra liquid.
- Only simmer: If it’s too hot, the oats will burn/stick, and the plant-based milk may scald.
- Sweeten to taste: Add a little at a time to your desired level.
- Don’t overcook it: Otherwise, the oatmeal can become mushy.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
