Oh, mornings! They can be absolute chaos, right? I used to stumble around, wishing breakfast would just appear, perfectly spiced and waiting for me. Well, my friend, those days are over thanks to this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats. Seriously, this makes my week so much smoother! It’s the ultimate make-ahead breakfast—just mix it up before bed, and boom, instant, cozy deliciousness waiting in the fridge when your alarm goes off. We’re talking real pumpkin flavor without ever turning on the stove. If you need five minutes of peace before the rush starts, you need this recipe, but you should also check out my ideas for energizing high-protein breakfast to fuel your day too!
Why You Need This Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats Recipe
Listen, if you’re busy, these are a total lifesaver. I keep telling everyone that pumpkin season shouldn’t mean sacrificing your mornings. Here’s why you absolutely have to try this batch.
- Zero cooking time! Seriously, it’s ready right out of the fridge.
- It tastes like a hug in a jar—all those warm spices feel like fall even if it’s snowing outside already.
- You can prep three servings on Sunday night and skip the breakfast planning hustle all week.
It’s just so much better than skipping breakfast, and you can see how many other people are loving breakfast prep by looking at my post on indulge in chocolate peanut butter overnight oats!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
Okay, this list looks short, which is exactly what I love about it! You probably have most of this stuff already. We are building layers of flavor here, so every ingredient matters. Grab your 1/2 cup of good old rolled oats—the regular kind, not the instant stuff! We need milk, just 1/2 cup, but you can use whatever you like, whether it’s whole milk or almond, oat, you name it. The showstopper is the 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree. Pay attention here: you use the *puree*, not the pie filling. Pie filling has too much sugar and spices already, and we want to control that flavor entirely! If you want to explore other seasonal purees, check out my guide on sweet potato pie overnight oats!
We also need the little things that make it creamy and flavorful: chia seeds for texture, maple syrup for that perfect fall sweetness, and, of course, half a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Don’t forget that tiny pinch of salt—it wakes everything up!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
Let’s talk milk flexibility. Cow’s milk works great, but if you’re using non-dairy, I find oat milk makes them the creamiest, almost like cream! The most important thing I can drill into you is using pure pumpkin puree. If you grab the can that says ‘Pumpkin Pie Filling,’ you are going to end up with something way too sweet and weirdly textured. Also, if you’re out of maple syrup, any liquid sweetener works, or just drop it down to a teaspoon if you like things less sweet. You can swap chia seeds for ground flaxseed if you’re in a pinch, though the texture changes just a little bit.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
This is the easiest part, which is why I love making these! You don’t need to heat up anything—we’re letting the fridge do all the hard work overnight. Grab whatever jar or container you’re using. First, dump in all your dry stuff: the rolled oats, the chia seeds, the pumpkin pie spice, and that tiny bit of salt. Next, add your wet things right on top: the pumpkin puree, the milk, and the maple syrup. I always put the wet ingredients in last so they can start soaking everything right away.
Give it a really good stir! You have to make sure those oats aren’t stuck on the bottom and that the pumpkin puree is totally mixed in. If you don’t mix it well now, you’ll have a dry clump of oats in the morning, and nobody wants that! Seriously, stir it until it looks uniform. Once it’s mixed, pop the lid on tight. This next part is non-negotiable: it has to go in the refrigerator for at least four hours, but overnight is the magic number. Don’t forget to check out how I make my best vanilla chia pudding! You’ll be stunned how much better they get overnight!
Pro Tips for the Best Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats Texture
In the morning, it’s probably going to be super thick—that’s the chia seeds working their magic! If it looks more like a brick than a creamy breakfast, don’t panic! Just add a splash more milk—maybe a tablespoon at a time—until you get that perfect, thick, spoonable consistency. Remember, you can always thin it out, but you can’t easily thicken it once it’s too runny. I like mine pretty thick, so I only add milk if I absolutely have to!
Equipment Needed for Your Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
Okay, let’s talk tools. The beauty of these Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats is that you don’t need a million fancy gadgets. Seriously, if you have measuring cups, you’re already halfway there. The most crucial piece of equipment is your storage jar or container. I love using a small Mason jar—the 8 or 12-ounce size is perfect for one serving.
You need a way to mix everything, so a sturdy spoon or a small whisk works great. Don’t try to shake this one up too violently at first; the chia seeds can clump if you don’t incorporate them slowly. And, honestly, that’s it! You need measuring cups to make sure the ratio of oats to liquid is right, but that’s the extent of the kitchen gear required for this super simple breakfast. Easy peasy!
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
One of the best things about these Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats is that you can make them ahead of time. I usually make three jars on a Sunday night, and they keep beautifully for up to three days in the fridge. Just make sure they have a tight-fitting lid so they don’t absorb any weird fridge smells! They might get a little thicker as they sit, which is fine.
If you feel like your batch has gotten too dense on day three, just stir in a splash of milk before you eat it. If you’re prepping for the whole week, I recommend making sure you use airtight containers—you can see my favorite meal prep options in my post about overnight breakfast strata with prosciutto and asparagus, which uses similar storage techniques. It’s all about making your week easier!
Serving Suggestions for Your Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
So, you’ve got your perfectly set pumpkin oats—that’s halfway there! But the fun really happens when you start decorating them. Those pecans are great, but let’s jazz this up a bit! My favorite morning treat is a nice big dollop of plain Greek yogurt right on top; it adds protein and a lovely tanginess that cuts through the sweetness.
If you really love that spice flavor, don’t be shy! Give the top a little extra sprinkle of plain cinnamon or even a pinch more cinnamon-heavy pumpkin pie spice right before you dig in. Sometimes, if I’m feeling fancy, I’ll grate a teeny bit of dark chocolate over the top. It melts slightly from the oat’s “wake-up” chill, making it feel like a dessert breakfast!
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
I get so many questions about these oats, which just tells me you all love easy breakfasts as much as I do! Since we’re keeping things simple here, I pulled out some of the most common things people ask me about when they’re getting ready to make their first batch.
Can I make Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats without chia seeds?
That’s a great question! The chia seeds are mostly there to soak up extra liquid and give the oats that thick, pudding-like consistency. If you leave them out, you absolutely can still make the recipe—just go easy on the milk at the start because you won’t have the chia seeds soaking up the excess. You should still stir them well and expect them to be looser in the morning. If you want that thickness but don’t have chia, try tossing in a tablespoon of ground flaxseed instead! I’ve seen people love my alternative recipes like the ones for healthy oatmeal pancakes with strawberries, which uses a different thickening agent.
How to make these Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats sweeter or less sweet?
This is all about your personal preference, which is why I love recipes you can customize! The maple syrup is listed as one tablespoon, but honestly, taste your ingredients before you mix them. If your pumpkin puree is already naturally sweet, or if you just prefer things not-so-sugary, knock it down to just one teaspoon of syrup. If you love that dessert-level sweetness, you can bump it up to two full tablespoons. Just remember, sweeteners are easier to add in the morning than they are to take out!
Also, keep in mind that if you add sweet toppings later, like honey on top, you’ll want to use less maple syrup in the base recipe.
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
Now, I’m not a dietician or anything, but I wanted to share a rough idea of what’s in this breakfast, just so you know what you’re fueling up with! Based on standard ingredients, this serving clocks in around 350 calories. You get a great boost of fiber—about 10 grams—which keeps you full until lunch. This recipe is naturally low in fat and cholesterol-free, which is perfect for starting your day relaxed. It’s a really balanced way to enjoy those cozy fall flavors. You can dig into similar nutrition info on my post about the healthy banana bread recipe!
Share Your Experience with Our Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
Whew! That’s all there is to it. You now have a jar of the best, easiest Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats ready for your fridge. I truly hope this recipe has brought a little bit of calm and spice back into your hectic mornings!
But I don’t just want you to eat this; I want to see what you do with it! Have you tried swapping the milk for coconut milk? Maybe you added a dash of vanilla extract? Don’t keep those brilliant ideas to yourself!
Please hop down to the comments below and leave a star rating—one for every morning this saved you! Tell me how you topped yours, too. And if you post a snap of your jar on Instagram, tag me! I absolutely love seeing our community enjoying these simple, make-ahead breakfasts. Happy scooping!
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Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
- Total Time: 5 min (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Simple recipe for make-ahead pumpkin spice flavored overnight oats.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or sweetener
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
- Optional topping: 1 tablespoon chopped pecans
Instructions
- In a jar or container, combine the rolled oats, milk, pumpkin puree, chia seeds, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
- Stir all ingredients well until fully mixed.
- Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
- In the morning, stir the oats again. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash more milk.
- Add optional toppings like pecans before serving cold.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of maple syrup to your preferred sweetness level.
- Use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- This recipe keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 10
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: pumpkin spice, overnight oats, breakfast, make ahead, oats, chia seeds