5-minute pumpkin spice oatmeal

5-minute pumpkin spice oatmeal recipe! This microwave instant pumpkin oatmeal is quick, easy, and perfect for busy, weekday morning breakfast.

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Hi, Rhubarbarians! Here's a quick and easy fall breakfast your whole family will love: pumpkin spice oatmeal!

If you're like me, you don't have much time to get breakfast on the table for yourself or your kids on hectic weekday mornings. I make this 5-minute apple cinnamon oatmeal almost every morning in the fall, and this pumpkin version has been added to our recipe rotation.

This instant pumpkin oatmeal for one is made in just 5 minutes thanks to that amazing microwave! Warm and cozy, quick and easy, perfect for fall or winter breakfast.

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this
• Ingredients and equipment
• Step by step instructions
• Serving suggestions
• Recipe tips and substitutions
• Storing and freezing
• FAQs
• Recipe
• Comments and reviews

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Why you'll love this

There are a few reasons this recipe works so well:

• It only takes 5 minutes to make
• Both kids and adults love it
• It's made in the microwave so you don't have to wash a pan
• It's simple
• It uses leftover pumpkin puree (which we always have in the fridge in the fall, right?)
• You can customize any way you like with different nuts, sweeteners, etc.

When is pumpkin in season? Fresh pumpkins are in season in early fall, but store well into late fall and possibly early winter. You can find canned pumpkin year round at your grocery store.

Need more leftover pumpkin puree ideas? Here are 15 recipes with pumpkin puree to try!

Ingredients and equipment

Here's what you need to make perfect instant pumpkin oatmeal at home. Full ingredients and instructions are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this article

Ingredients:

• Oats. Be sure to choose old fashioned rolled oats. This way they will cook properly in the microwave.
• Pumpkin puree. You can use homemade pumpkin puree or use canned. If using canned, be sure to use 100% pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling.
• Pumpkin pie spice. You can use store bought or make your own.
• Pecans. You can buy whole pecans and chop them or buy pre-chopped.
• Brown sugar. Golden or dark is fine.
• Salt. Just a pinch.
• Water.

Equipment:

• Deep microwave safe bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Cutting board and knife. For chopping pecans if needed.
• Microwave.
• Spoon for serving.

Step by step instructions

Here's a visual guide to how to make pumpkin spice oatmeal in 5 minutes at home! Full instructions are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this article

• Place all of your ingredients in a deep, microwave safe bowl. The oatmeal will expand and bubble while it's cooking.

• Add the water to the bowl.

• Stir everything together.

• Microwave for 2 minutes.
• Stir and microwave for 1 additional minute.

• Remove from the microwave carefully and let sit for 1 minute to thicken if desired.
• Add milk, additional sweeter, nuts, spice, etc if desired.

Serving suggestions

I serve this pumpkin spice oatmeal as a weekday breakfast for my family in the fall and winter.

The recipe is for one large single serving, but I usually make two back to back for me and my son before school.

My son and I like different toppings and mix-ins, so it's great for picky eaters. I like brown sugar, he likes honey. I like pecans, he likes pepitas. You get the idea, right?

Toppings/mix-ins to try:

• Milk of choice.
• Honey.
• Pepitas.
• Walnuts.
• Yogurt.
• Sliced banana.
• Sliced apple.
• Whipped cream on top.

Recipes to serve with pumpkin oatmeal:

• Homemade holiday coffee
• Fresh cranberry smoothie
• Baked fall fruit

Want to make it extra special? Top with a dollop of whipped cream for pumpkin pie oatmeal!

Recipe tips and substitutions

• Use a deep, microwave safe bowl when microwaving so that the oatmeal doesn't bubble over.
• If you don't like pumpkin puree, go ahead and swap for butternut squash puree or sweet potato puree.
• You can swap the pecans for walnuts or pepitas.
• You can swap the brown sugar for maple syrup, honey, or agave. If using honey add it after the oatmeal is cooked.
• Cook times will vary depending on your microwave. Be sure to let the oatmeal sit for a minute or so after cooking to thicken up.

Storing and freezing

Storing: store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave.

Freezing: freeze the oatmeal in individual portions in a tightly sealed freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave from frozen and add a bit of milk or water to thin it to your desired consistency.

I love to use Souper Cubes for freezing! They are silicone molds that you can freeze individual portions in and then transfer to a ziplock container to save space.

Love oats? Try a few of these easy oat flour recipes!

FAQs

More fall breakfast recipes to try:

• 5-minute apple cinnamon oatmeal
• Chunky pumpkin granola
• Breakfast baked apples with oatmeal
• Pumpkin spice morning cookies
• Peanut butter apple oatmeal cups

Did you make this recipe? Leave us a review and star rating in the comments below! We read every single review and appreciate your feedback.

Recipe

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