I stumbled upon this recipe by accident one Sunday evening. I was trying to get ahead for the week, throwing things in a bowl for a quick breakfast, and on a whim, I decided to use the leftover pumpkin purée from my weekend baking. The next morning, I opened the fridge to what I can only describe as pure magic. It wasn’t just oatmeal; it was rich, creamy, and tasted exactly like a slice of pumpkin pie.
Ever since that happy accident, these overnight oats have become my go-to breakfast from September through December. It’s the perfect solution for those hectic mornings when you crave something cozy and satisfying but have zero time to cook. This is your secret weapon for a delicious, stress-free start to the day.
Why This Recipe Is a Keeper
This isn’t just another oatmeal recipe. Here’s why it works so well:
- Effortless & Quick: You can whip up three days’ worth of breakfast in about 10 minutes. It’s the ultimate meal-prep dream!
- Insanely Creamy Texture: The combination of Icelandic skyr (or Greek yogurt), oat milk, and chia seeds creates a thick, luxurious consistency that feels incredibly decadent.
- Packed with Flavor: We’re not just using pumpkin spice; we’re creating a custom blend of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a touch of cardamom that makes every bite taste like fall.
A Look at the Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to bring this creamy dream to life.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These are a must! They keep a bit of their texture without turning to mush like quick oats would.
- Whole Chia Seeds: These little powerhouses are what transform the mixture into a thick, pudding-like consistency for perfect overnight oats.
- A Blend of Spices: We use cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom. This combination is the heart of the recipe!
- A Tiny Pinch of Fine Sea Salt: Don’t skip this! It makes all the other flavors pop.
- Plain Non-Fat Icelandic Skyr: This adds a fantastic boost of protein and creaminess. Plain Greek yogurt works perfectly, too.
- Unsweetened Pumpkin Purée: Make sure you grab pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling, which is already sweetened and spiced.
- Unsweetened Oat Milk: I love the creamy, neutral flavor of oat milk here, but feel free to use almond, soy, or dairy milk.
- Date Syrup: This gives the oats a lovely, deep caramel-like sweetness. Maple syrup or coconut nectar are great substitutes.
- Vanilla Bean Paste: It adds those beautiful little vanilla specks and a rich flavor. A good quality vanilla extract will also do the trick.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix Your Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the rolled oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and the pinch of sea salt. Give it a quick whisk to make sure all the spices are evenly distributed. This ensures every bite is flavorful!
- Blend the Pumpkin Cream: In a separate liquid measuring cup or another bowl, combine the skyr, pumpkin purée, oat milk, date syrup, and vanilla bean paste. Whisk it vigorously until it’s completely smooth and creamy. You want to eliminate any lumps now for the perfect final texture.
- Combine Everything: Pour the wet pumpkin mixture into the large bowl with the dry oat base.
- Fold it All Together: Using a silicone spatula, gently fold everything together. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so there are no hidden pockets of dry oats.
- Portion and Seal: Carefully divide the mixture between your three jars. A 12-ounce jar is the perfect size for a hearty serving. Seal them up tightly with their lids.
- Let the Magic Happen (Chill!): Transfer the jars to the refrigerator and let them hang out for at least 6 hours, or overnight. During this time, the oats and chia seeds will absorb all that creamy goodness and thicken up beautifully. Serve it chilled, straight from the jar!
Expert Tips for Success
- Storage: These overnight oats are perfect for meal prep and will keep in their sealed jars in the fridge for up to 4 days. The texture will get even thicker and creamier as the days go on!
- Troubleshooting Consistency: If you find your oats are a little too thick for your liking, just stir in an extra splash of oat milk before eating. If you prefer them even thicker next time, add an extra teaspoon of chia seeds to your dry mix.
- Make it Your Own: This recipe is super flexible. Use Greek yogurt instead of skyr, maple syrup instead of date syrup, or try different plant-based milks. It’s hard to go wrong!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
These oats are fantastic on their own, but toppings take them to the next level! I love adding a sprinkle of toasted pecans for crunch, an extra dollop of skyr for creaminess, and a final dash of cinnamon.
Enjoy it with a hot cup of coffee or a chai latte for the ultimate cozy morning ritual. It’s a complete, satisfying breakfast that will keep you full and happy all morning long.
Spiced Pumpkin Cream Soaked Oats
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Liquid measuring cup or separate medium bowl
- Whisk
- Silicone spatula
- Three 12-ounce (350 mL) jars with lids
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups 144 g old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tbsp 24 g whole chia seeds
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- A tiny pinch of fine sea salt
- ¾ cup 204 g plain non-fat Icelandic skyr
- ¾ cup 183 g unsweetened pumpkin purée
- 1 ½ cups 360 mL unsweetened oat milk
- 4 tbsp 80 g date syrup
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Base In the large mixing bowl, add the rolled oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and the pinch of sea salt. Whisk everything together until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the oats.
- Blend the Pumpkin Cream In a separate liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, combine the Icelandic skyr, pumpkin purée, oat milk, date syrup, and vanilla bean paste. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and uniform in color.
- Unite the Mixtures Pour the liquid pumpkin cream mixture over the dry oat base in the large bowl.
- Incorporate Thoroughly Using a silicone spatula, fold the ingredients together. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure no dry pockets of oats remain and the mixture is fully combined.
- Portion and Seal Carefully divide the oat mixture evenly among the three jars. Seal each jar securely with its lid.
- Chill and Set Transfer the sealed jars to the refrigerator. Allow them to chill for a minimum of 6 hours, or until the oats have absorbed the liquid and the mixture has thickened to a spoonable, pudding-like consistency. Serve chilled, with toppings like toasted pecans, a dollop of skyr, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Notes
🍽️ Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, Approx.)
Serving Size: 1 jar (about 345 g)- Calories: 442
- Total Fat: 9.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.6 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.9 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
- Sodium: 152 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 70.2 g
- Dietary Fiber: 11.1 g
- Total Sugars: 23.2 g
- Includes Added Sugars: 16 g
- Protein: 20.8 g
- Vitamin D: 2.1 mcg
- Calcium: 265 mg
- Iron: 3.7 mg
- Potassium: 715 mg
This recipe has become an absolute staple in my home, and I have a feeling it will in yours, too. It’s simple, delicious, and makes mornings feel just a little more special. If you give it a try, I’d love to see it—tag me in your photos! Happy cooking!