Make this Overnight Pumpkin Oatmeal in your slow cooker before you go to bed, and wake to a delicious breakfast that’s ready to eat! Simply add your favorite toppings in the morning for a hearty and satisfying start to your day. Made with nutritious steel-cut oats, creamy almond milk, pumpkin puree, and warm spices, this Crock Pot oatmeal is sure to become a fall favorite!
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Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Oatmeal Recipe
- Great for Busy Mornings: If you struggle in the morning like I do to get a hot breakfast on the table, this slow cooker oatmeal is exactly what you need. Trust me, you don’t have to settle for cold cereal anymore!
- Nutritious Breakfast: Steel-cut oats are high in protein, fiber, and other nutrients, making them a great choice for your morning meal. The pumpkin puree is also a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.
- Customizable: It’s so easy to customize this overnight oatmeal! Everyone can add their own toppings to suit their tastes. .
For more oatmeal recipes, check out our Cranberry, Almond, and Walnut Oatmeal and our Overnight Oats next.
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this pumpkin oatmeal in the Crock Pot.
- Oats: This recipe uses steel-cut oats, as they hold up well during cooking for a longer period of time.
- Brown Sugar: Adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the oatmeal. I used dark brown sugar, but you can use light brown if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
- Pumpkin Puree: Don’t confuse this with pumpkin pie filling, which has spices and sweetener added. You want to use plain canned pumpkin.
- Almond Milk: Gives the oatmeal a creamier texture than just using water. I use unsweetened, plain almond milk.
- Water: Essential for keeping the oats moist as they cook.
- Flavorings: Ground cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract add flavor to the oatmeal.
- Butter: Adds flavor and richness to the oatmeal.
- Cooking Spray: You’ll need this to keep the oatmeal from sticking to your slow cooker.
- Toppings: I love to sprinkle some warm spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, on top to enhance the fall flavors in this oatmeal. Some of my other favorite toppings are dried cranberries, figs, berries, walnuts, and pepitas, but feel free to add anything you’d like.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-Free: While oats are naturally gluten-free, there is a risk of cross-contamination. For safety, I suggest using certified gluten-free oats.
- Dairy-Free: Swap the butter for a plant-based version or use coconut oil instead.
- Refined Sugar-Free: Use coconut sugar or date sugar in place of the brown sugar.
- Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal: Replace the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice to make a pumpkin spice oatmeal base, and then top with whipped cream and crumbled graham crackers. It’ll taste like pumpkin pie in a bowl!
How to Make Overnight Pumpkin Oatmeal
Making pumpkin flavored oatmeal overnight in your slow cooker is so easy! First, gather all your ingredients and spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Then, here’s what you need to do.
- Step 1: Combine ingredients. Add all of the oatmeal ingredients, without any toppings, to a bowl and mix to combine.
- Step 2: Add the oatmeal. Pour the oatmeal mixture into a greased crock pot and set it to cook on low for 7 hours. Give the oatmeal a good stir and enjoy with your favorite toppings.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some delicious ways you can enjoy your fall-inspired oatmeal:
- Add some crunch to your oatmeal by topping it with this a spoonful of healthy granola, air-fried pumpkin seeds, or a handful of candied pecans.
- Make it part of a filling, protein-packed breakfast by pairing it with these best ever scrambled eggs or hard boiled eggs made in the Instant Pot.
- Enjoy a bowl of oatmeal with a cup of coffee or a mug of dairy-free hot chocolate.
Expert Tips
- Only use steel-cut oats: Don’t use rolled oats or instant oats or the oatmeal will become mushy. Steel-cut oats are perfect for the crock pot because they take longer to cook than regular oats.
- Use a programmable slow cooker: I highly recommend using a slow cooker that switches to warm when the set time is up. If you don’t have one, keep in mind that the oatmeal will keep cooking until you wake up and turn it off.
- Try a water bath: Transfer your oatmeal mixture to an oven-proof bowl and place in the center of your slow cooker. Then, pour in water around the bowl to create a water bath. This will help prevent any burned edges.
- Store in the fridge: While it’s best enjoyed right away, you can store leftover oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Be sure to store it without the toppings. It’s
Recipe FAQs
Yes, if you don’t plan on making this overnight, you can set the crock pot to high and cook for 3-4 hours.
This oatmeal can be made in the instant pot as well. Add all of the ingredients to your instant pot, but don’t stir them together. Set the instant pot to manual high pressure for 8 minutes, and then use a quick release to release the pressure. Stir to combine.
More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes to Try
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Overnight Pumpkin Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 cup pure pumpkin purée
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Suggested Toppings
- dried cranberries
- walnuts
- granola
- whipped cream
- nutmeg
- cloves
- berries
- figs
- cinnamon
- pepitas
Instructions
Overnight Cooking for Slow Cooker
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
- Spray inside of crockpot with cooking spray.
- Pour mixture in crockpot, cover. Set on timer for 7 hours on low.
- In morning, stir well and top with desired garnishes.
For Pressure Cooker
- Add In this order: almond milk, butter, oats, pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla to pressure cooker. DO NOT STIR.
- Set to manual high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Use a quick release to release the pressure. Stir to combine.
- Garnish as desired.
Video
Notes
- Only use steel-cut oats: Don’t use rolled oats or instant oats or the oatmeal will become mushy. Steel-cut oats are perfect for the crock pot because they take longer to cook than regular oats.
- Use a programmable slow cooker: I highly recommend using a slow cooker that switches to warm when the set time is up. If you don’t have one, keep in mind that the oatmeal will keep cooking until you wake up and turn it off.
- Try a water bath: Transfer your oatmeal mixture to an oven-proof bowl and place in the center of your slow cooker. Then, pour in water around the bowl to create a water bath. This will help prevent any burned edges.
- Store in the fridge: While it’s best enjoyed right away, you can store leftover oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Be sure to store it without the toppings.
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Courtney says
Instant pot kept giving burn warning and wouldn’t come to pressure. I did as the instructions said. What do you think could’ve caused this??
Kadee says
Sometimes if your ingredients are too thick, the pressure cooker will burn it. Try adding the ingredients in this order:
2 cups almond milk
1 cup water
1 c steel cut oats
1 c pure pumpkin purée
1/2 c dark brown sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t salt
1 t vanilla extract
2 T butter melted
DO NOT STIR. Cook, and stir after cooking.
Megan says
I don’t have almond milk could I use regular milk?
Kadee says
Yes! Or you can also use water.
Cordie says
THIS!!! tasted just like pumpkin pie in the morning. we all loved it!!