Updated: 2/8/2022
I had the toughest time choosing whether to call these Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats or Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Overnight Oats - honestly either one describes these delicious make-ahead breakfasts! They come together in just a mason jar and it feels like you're getting to eat dessert first thing in the morning. Made with wholesome rolled oats, convenient canned pumpkin, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, they're the perfect high-protein treat anytime!
about this pumpkin pie overnight oats recipe
I don't know about you but given the choice between a sweet or savory breakfast...I'm usually on team-sweet!
If you feel the same way, then you've gotta try these cinnamon-spiced Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats.
On busy weeks, I don't have the time (or the energy, honestly) to whip up a batch of pancakes or waffles from scratch - so I'm a big fan of quick make-ahead breakfast options.
Overnight oats check all the boxes for me - they're a grab-and-go situation and they've got a good balance of healthy fats, fiber, and protein that I look for in the mornings to carry me through my day.
If you've never made them before, the magic of overnight oats is that there is zero cooking involved.
And the best part is that since a single serving only takes a few minutes of hands-on prep, you could make almost a week's worth of breakfasts in less than half an hour!
how to make overnight oats with canned pumpkin
These overnight oats come together super easily.
You just add all your ingredients to a jar and mix everything up (or add a lid and just shake until well combined)!
Let the overnight soak do the "cooking" for you, it all happens while you sleep.
As the raw oats soak overnight, their starches start to breakdown and the oats begin to soften making them more digestible.
Some people find that this actually makes them easier to digest than traditional hot cooked oats!
Bonus: This recipe leans on a lot of pantry staples, including canned pumpkin puree, to make prep even quicker & easier.
You can enjoy them hot or cold - I like them chilled fresh out of the fridge, since that's how I'd enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake!
ingredients & adaptations
Rolled oats: Rolled oats work best for overnight oats and produce the best texture. I don't recommend using quick cooking or instant oats as they'll be too soggy and won't hold up well. And don't use steel cut oats since they do best being cooked hot.
Canned pumpkin puree: Make sure to look for unsweetened pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, or the final result will come out too sweet with the other ingredients. I love that it's shelf stable and can be found easily year-round in the canned goods or baking aisle of your local store. You could also use sweet potato puree in its place if you prefer for a sweet potato pie overnight oats situation!
Pumpkin pie spice: Along with the vanilla extract this really helps deliver that cozy baked good flavor, it's also a great shortcut and saves you from having to add lots of spices. If you don't have it, you can also use cinnamon in its place.
Plain Greek yogurt: This really helps to create that delicious pumpkin pie custard...meets pumpkin cheesecake type of flavor. If you need a dairy-free option, try using a vegan or plant-based Greek-style yogurt option instead.
Almond milk: You can use any milk you prefer - almond, cashew, hemp, coconut, or regular milk all work great in this recipe.
Ground flaxseed: Ground flaxseeds are a great source of fiber + antioxidants + plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. I think they add a nice toasty, baked flavor to these oats that really helps them taste like pie - like a little nod to a graham cracker crust. They also help to thicken the oat mixture. You can also use extra chia seeds instead.
Sweetener of choice: You'll see in the recipe card that I used coconut nectar, it's the sweetener I usually have on hand & love to use most often. But you can use any liquid sweeteners work best and dissolve the most easily in this recipe. You can also use I haven't tried it with a granulated sweetener like table sugar or brown sugar, but it may produce a grainy texture.
more easy overnight oats recipes
Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ c rolled oats
- ¾ c plain Greek yogurt*
- ⅓ c pumpkin purée
- ½ c almond milk*
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tbs sweetener of choice**
- pinch of salt
- 1-2 tbs ground flaxseed***
- 1 tbs chia seeds
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
- extra dollop of Greek yogurt
- pumpkin seeds
- granola
Instructions
- METHOD: Layer all ingredients into a medium-size lidded jar or container. Mix together with a spoon until well combined (or you can attach lid and shake until well mixed). Secure lid and place in refrigerator overnight. Open in the morning and eat cold straight from the jar. Top with an additional dollop of yogurt (to mimic whipped cream!) + add granola or pumpkin seeds for crunch.
Xiomara says
Is it possible to make this without yogurt and coconut nectar?
Lauren Kenson says
Hi Xiomara!
Yes it is possible to make overnight oats without yogurt or coconut nectar, here's some ideas for what you can swap in instead!
For the yogurt you can use a non-dairy yogurt in it's place or you can just add a little more milk/ nut milk. Coconut cream would also be a good addition. It will change the texture if you add liquid instead of yogurt, so you'll have to play with it and see what you like best!
For coconut nectar any of the following natural sweeteners would be great in its place - maple syrup, honey, date syrup, agave, or even liquid stevia drops would work here! Or just keep it unsweetened.
Let me know how it goes xx Lauren
Sara R McPhee says
Do you have to use chia seeds? I really don't care for them.
Lauren Kenson says
Hi Sara - good question!
You don't have to use them (especially if you don't like them) - you can totally opt to leave them out!
Chia seeds "gel" when they are added to liquid, so they help it set up and add a boost of fiber - but they aren't required to make these oats. The oats themselves will still swell up and soften, and the yogurt should help to keep the mixture nice and thick!
Hope you love them!!
xx Lauren