Cozy Fall Mornings: The Ultimate Slow Cooker Pumpkin Oatmeal Recipe
As autumn leaves begin to fall and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice wafting through your home. To celebrate the season of all things pumpkin, we’re thrilled to share our ultimate Slow Cooker Pumpkin Oatmeal Recipe. This delightful dish combines the heartwarming flavors of fall with the unparalleled convenience of your crock pot, ensuring a delicious and nutritious start to even the busiest days.
Wake Up to Warmth: The Magic of Slow Cooker Pumpkin Oatmeal
Imagine waking up to breakfast already made. That’s the magic our Slow Cooker Pumpkin Oatmeal offers! This recipe is a true game-changer for anyone who loves a hearty, healthy breakfast but dreads the early morning prep. Just a few minutes of effort the night before, and you’ll have a bowl of creamy, spiced pumpkin oatmeal waiting for you when you rise.
This dish is more than just a breakfast; it’s an experience. The comforting blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg creates a fragrant and flavorful meal that truly encapsulates the essence of autumn. Pair it with a Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Latte for an even deeper dive into fall flavors, making it a perfect pumpkin-themed start to your day. And if you’re not a morning oatmeal person, don’t worry! This versatile dish is equally delicious served for a cozy brunch, a satisfying lunch, or even a comforting dessert after a cool autumn evening.
Why This Recipe Will Become Your Fall Favorite
- Effortless Preparation: Simply combine the ingredients in your slow cooker before bed, and let it do all the work overnight. No more frantic morning cooking!
- Wholesome & Nutritious: Packed with the goodness of steel-cut oats and nutrient-rich pumpkin, this oatmeal provides sustained energy and essential vitamins, making it a fantastic healthy breakfast option.
- Irresistible Autumn Flavors: The perfect balance of pumpkin puree and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg creates a cozy, aromatic, and delicious meal that celebrates the fall season.
- Highly Customizable: While delicious on its own, this pumpkin oatmeal serves as a wonderful base for a variety of toppings and add-ins, allowing you to tailor it to your taste.
- Meal Prep Dream: Prepare a large batch and enjoy healthy breakfasts throughout the week, saving you time and effort.
Essential Ingredients for Your Slow Cooker Pumpkin Oatmeal
Crafting this delicious pumpkin oatmeal requires just a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. We’ve chosen steel-cut oats for their hearty texture and nutritional benefits, but you can explore other options if preferred.
- Water: The base for cooking our oats to a perfect consistency. You can also use milk (dairy or non-dairy) for a creamier result, adjusting the cooking time slightly if needed.
- Pumpkin Puree: The star of the show! Ensure you use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices. This allows you to control the sweetness and flavor profile. You can find high-quality canned pumpkin puree easily.
- Steel-Cut Oats: These oats are minimally processed, offering a chewy texture and a higher fiber content compared to rolled or instant oats. They hold up beautifully during slow cooking, becoming wonderfully creamy without turning to mush. Look for good quality steel-cut oats.
- Honey: Our natural sweetener of choice, providing a delicate sweetness that complements the pumpkin and spices. Maple syrup or brown sugar are also excellent alternatives. We recommend pure honey.
- Ground Cinnamon: An indispensable spice for fall, ground cinnamon adds warmth and depth to the oatmeal. A good quality ground cinnamon makes a difference.
- Table Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness and spices. Any fine salt works.
- Ground Nutmeg: Another classic fall spice that pairs perfectly with pumpkin, adding a subtle, sweet, and nutty aroma. Freshly grated nutmeg is always best, but quality ground nutmeg is convenient.
Beyond these core ingredients, don’t forget the fun part: toppings! Raisins, craisins, chopped nuts, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a dollop of yogurt can elevate your pumpkin oatmeal to gourmet status. The possibilities are endless!
Tips for the Perfect Slow Cooker Pumpkin Oatmeal
- Grease Your Crock Pot: To prevent sticking, especially during overnight cooking, lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker pot with butter, coconut oil, or a non-stick cooking spray. This makes cleanup a breeze!
- Adjust Consistency: If your oatmeal seems too thick after cooking, you can easily thin it out by stirring in a little extra hot water or milk until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it sit for a few more minutes off the heat, or add a tablespoon of chia seeds to thicken.
- Don’t Overfill: Be mindful of your slow cooker size. Ensure there’s enough room for the oats to expand without overflowing. A 3-quart slow cooker is usually sufficient for this recipe.
- Sweetness to Taste: The honey measurement in the recipe is a guideline. Feel free to adjust it to your preference, adding more for a sweeter oatmeal or less if you prefer a more subtle sweetness. You can also add a touch of brown sugar or maple syrup.
- Overnight Wonder: For best results and ultimate convenience, prepare this oatmeal before bed and let it cook on low for 8 hours. You’ll wake up to a perfectly cooked, warm breakfast.
Serving Suggestions & Customization Ideas
While delicious on its own, this slow cooker pumpkin oatmeal truly shines with a variety of toppings and add-ins:
- Classic Dried Fruits: Raisins, craisins (dried cranberries), chopped dates, or apricots add natural sweetness and a chewy texture.
- Nutty Crunch: A sprinkle of chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds (pepitas) provides a satisfying crunch and healthy fats.
- Fresh Fruit Boost: Sliced apples, pears, or bananas can add freshness and natural sugars.
- Extra Creaminess: A swirl of yogurt (Greek or regular), a splash of heavy cream, or a dollop of whipped cream can make it extra decadent.
- Sweet Drizzles: Maple syrup, agave nectar, or an extra drizzle of honey are always welcome additions.
- Spice It Up: A dash of extra cinnamon, a pinch of ginger, or a hint of allspice can further enhance the fall flavor profile.
- Chocolate Indulgence: For a treat, stir in some dark chocolate chips after cooking until melted and gooey.
The Health Benefits of Pumpkin and Oats
Not only is this recipe incredibly delicious, but it’s also packed with nutritional goodness:
- Pumpkin Power: Pumpkin is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense vegetable rich in Vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), which is vital for vision and immune function. It also provides Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
- Oats for Health: Steel-cut oats are a fantastic source of soluble fiber, particularly beta-glucan, which is known to help lower cholesterol levels and stabilize blood sugar. They also offer sustained energy release, keeping you full and satisfied longer.
- Antioxidant Rich: Both pumpkin and oats contain antioxidants that help protect your body’s cells from damage.
Making Ahead and Storage
This slow cooker pumpkin oatmeal is perfect for meal prepping. Once cooked, let it cool completely. You can store individual portions in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, simply add a splash of water or milk and warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
More Delightful Breakfast Recipes to Explore
If you’re looking for more delicious ways to start your day, or simply love homemade treats, check out some of our other favorite breakfast recipes:
- Cinnamon Syrup Recipe
- Raspberry Coffee Cake Recipe
- Semi-homemade Biscuit Donuts
- Cracker Barrel Pecan Pancakes
- Crock Pot Greek Frittata Recipe
Don’t miss all of our other fantastic recipes made with canned pumpkin! We also have a wide array of copycat recipes, irresistible dessert recipes, and our popular CrockPot Recipes.
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Crockpot Pumpkin Oatmeal Recipe
The perfect crockpot pumpkin oatmeal recipe for Fall! This slow cooker recipe is the ideal family breakfast. Add in brown sugar, apple cinnamon, rolled oats, almonds, maple syrup or any of your favorite oatmeal toppings. A great fall morning breakfast you can make overnight.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 192 kcal
Author: Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 6 cups Water
- 3 cups Pumpkin Puree/Canned Pumpkin (uncooked)
- 1 ½ cups Steel Cut Oats (uncooked)
- ½ cup Honey
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in the crockpot, stir well to combine.
- Cook on low for 8 hours. Stir before serving to ensure even consistency.
- Top with raisins, craisins, or any of your favorite oatmeal toppings to customize each bowl.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Crockpot Pumpkin Oatmeal Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 192 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g 3%
Sodium 156mg 7%
Potassium 158mg 5%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Fiber 3g 13%
Sugar 18g 20%
Protein 5g 10%
Vitamin A 3705IU 74%
Vitamin C 4mg 5%
Calcium 34mg 3%
Iron 1.7mg 9%
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Recipe originally shared on September 4, 2018. Updated October 2020.