Happy October pumpkin spice month!
One thing I love about cold weather is that oatmeal becomes my favourite breakfast all over again. I tend to opt for fruit all summer long, but as soon as those leaves start falling, I get a serious hankering for good ol' fashioned oatmeal.
Since I'm pretty much a daily oatmeal eater in the winter I have discovered 2 must do oatmeal perfecting tricks, and it's time I share them with you.
Oatmeal Perfecting Trick #1:
Always use old fashioned large flake rolled oats. Don't use quick cook oats. Rolled oats only take about 5 minutes to cook anyways, and they make for such a better texture, not so mushy like the quick oats.
Oatmeal Perfecting Trick #2:
Dates. When it comes to breakfast I prefer to keep it on the healthier side, so I chop up dates into little pieces and cook it along with the oatmeal. This makes for perfectly gooey pockets of caramel, and naturally sweetens the oatmeal. No need to buy expensive medjool dates here, I buy the cheapest dates at my grocery which conveniently come pitted. Perfection.
Now that you've mastered oatmeal 101, it's time to introduce you to the most perfect autumn oatmeal: Vegan Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal.
It's like a pumpkin spice latte but dare I say better!? I know, blasphemy. Give me a "woot woot!" in the comments if you would like to see my recipe for a homemade vegan pumpkin spice latte (can be made with or without an espresso machine).
In the meantime, I just need to dive into this warm, satisfying breakfast. I'm in love with the bursting pumpkin flavour, the warming seasonal spices, and of course those gorgeous caramel date bites throughout. So easy to whip up a breakfast that feels completely decadent!
Just toss all the ingredients into a pot. Cook over medium heat until it thickens and most of the liquid is absorbed. Serve with a splash of milk, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a couple of pecans if desired.
Vegan Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup plant-based milk (plus more for serving)
- ⅔ cup large flake rolled oats
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ¼ cup dates , pitted and chopped
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
- A handful of pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Add everything except for the maple syrup and pecans to a pot and put over medium heat. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until the oatmeal has thickened and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- You can enjoy as is, or splash on a little extra plant-based milk, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a sprinkle of pecans. Bon appetegan!
Nutrition
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Dave Spencer says
We eat oatmeal daily, it’s so healthy, so I was excited to try this out as we're always looking for variety.
You’re recipe is perfect; kudos on the simplicity! I was surprised how delish and how everyone liked it. It’s now a regular in our rotation.
Rebecca V. says
I am slowly transitioning to becoming vegan. Recipes like this make it so easy!! Love this oatmeal!!
Alfred Brooks says
I'd like to see your recipe for vegan pumpkin spice latte.
Mike B says
I love steel cut oats that cook in 30mins at an oat:water ratio of 1:4. Any tips on how to modify for the use of steel cut oats?
Lauren says
This is so good! I’m not a big oatmeal person but I try to eat it a few times a week. It’s nice to have something different once in a while.
Sam Turnbull says
Glad you enjoyed it, Lauren 🙂
Anna says
This oatmeal tastes SO good! I don't like dates so I put some berries on top instead (adds a nice bit of sweetness to the oatmeal). SO DELICIOUS!
Sam Turnbull says
So thrilled you enjoyed it, Anna 🙂
Lily says
This looks amazing! Can they be made as overnight oats? (so they're ready in the AM without having to get up early!)
Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Absolutely! Enjoy!
Christine says
I love this recipe!!!! I don't cook it though, I make overnight oats with it , and it is awesome. 🙂 Thanks
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! Glad you enjoy 🙂
Keren says
Fabulous. I added my morning ground flax to these, after cooking of course. It made everything richer, very nice on a cool morning but I might try it again next time without, just to experience the original recipe. used 2 dates with no extra sweetener, my pumpkin was pureed butternut squash, very creamy and sweet. Great recipe, to be repeated.
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So happy you enjoyed it so much, Karen 🙂
Suzi says
I’m a little surprised you suggested adding milk to this recipe, on a vegan website....
Sam Turnbull says
I'm referring to non-dairy milk such as soy or almond 🙂
Tammy says
I was just wondering if you can leave the dates out?
Sam Turnbull says
Absolutely! They just add a bit of sweetness which is nice.
Bailee says
Can you make this ahead of time, put it in the fridge, then heat up the next morning? I'm the worst morning person, but this looks amazing! I am starting a new "non-processed" attitude toward food, so I can no longer have [nut]milk and cereal for breakfast, but I need to be able to throw things together quickly in the morning.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Bailee, yes add a splash of water to loosen it up and you can reheat it. Enjoy!
Hilary says
I've been making the "regular" oatmeal version you describe and it's so satisfying, especially with banana slices and pecans. The date pieces are genius! Mmmmm. :-9
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! Thank you! I just had some date oatmeal myself 🙂
Rebecca says
Have you ever tried adding a mushy banana (fresh or frozen) to the oats? It sort of dissolves into the oatmeal as it cooks and adds natural sweetness and creaminess to the oatmeal. I think I'll try it with your pumpkin recipe and see if it gets TOO sweet!
Sam Turnbull says
Oooh that sounds yummy too! I sometimes have date and banana oatmeal with coconut flakes. yum!
Josee Wright says
I tried pumpkin pancakes... not too successful.... oatmeal sounds so much more promising and tasty.... and a woot woot for the PSL recipe. ☕
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! Awesome. I actually have a pumpkin pancake recipe in my upcoming cookbook, and it works perfectly every time! ...But you will have to wait until it's released for that, so in the meantime oatmeal!! 🙂
Rebecca says
Pumpkin pancakes sounds wonderful! I can't wait for your cookbook!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay!
Daria says
Woot Woot 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! 🙂
Bethery says
Yumberinos!!
Bethery says
p.s. Woot woot.
Sam Turnbull says
Haha love it!
Rachelle says
OMG this looks so awesome. I'm a huge oatmeal eater - overnight in the summer time (straight out of the fridge with lots of fruits on top), and warm and spicy with nuts in the winter time 🙂
Woot woot for the Vegan PSL !
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! A real oatmeal addict. Love it! Thanks for your woot woot!
Anna says
WOOT WOOT x 1000 for the PSL recipe
Sam Turnbull says
Haha love it!
Leigh says
I have a question about the dates. Are these fresh? I bought some and they look like dehydrated and gummy. Is that right?
Sam Turnbull says
Yep those sound like normal dates to me. Sometimes dates will come plumper and juicier, and other times more dried out like you have. It just depends on the variety and how fresh they are. Just remove any pits, chop them up, and toss them in your oatmeal. 🙂
Kristi says
OMG! I usually don't eat breakfast during the work week, but I'm making this on the weekend. Totally agree about regular oats. My family eats instant oatmeal but I can't stand the texture.
I didn't even know there were dates other than medjool. Haha! Looking forward to finding some cheaper dates.
Definitely a woot woot for the PSL recipe. I have a Keurig and a Nespresso espresso machine. I've tried making a pumpkin spice syrup and a couple recipes. I just can't seem to figure it out.
Bethery says
There are actually tons of different kinds of dates, though I've never seen d'noir. There're deglet, honey, halawi sp?, and tons more. There's a date of the month club.
Sam Turnbull says
Yes, so many kinds of dates just like Bethery. I think thats true of any fruit or veg really. Just like there are so many kinds of apples! Since medjools are pricey, I like to save them for when they are needed only. Hope you love the oatmeal and thanks for your woot woot! 🙂
Paula says
Please, please give us your recipe for homemade vegan pumpkin spice latte.
Sam Turnbull says
Woot woot! 🙂
Rebecca says
I was just thinking the other day that I'm sick of green smoothies for breakfast and really want oatmeal! I'm going to try this recipe asap. Two quick questions: 1.) do you ever use steel cut oatmeal? I know it's supposed to be healthier but takes much longer to cook, and 2.) when is it appropriate to use medjool dates? I bought a big bag the other day and hadn't realized how expensive it was. They tasted pretty good by themselves but when I used it in a recipe for vegan "brownies" I couldn't really taste the difference between a medjool date and the cheap dates I previously used from my local grocery store.
Sam Turnbull says
I have tried steel cut oatmeal, and yes it's slower to cook, but also the pieces are smaller, so once cooked it just felt more like instant oatmeal to me. I wasn't a fan personally.
Medjool dates are awesome because they are so sticky and gooey. So I save them for recipes that require that goo power, such as my 4 Ingredient Granola Bars and my Medjool Date Caramel Apples. If a recipe doesn't specifically require them, then I would use cheaper dates.
Rebecca says
Thank you for the advice-- very helpful! I'll have to try the oatmeal both ways and figure out which works best for me. I'm sure either way it's going to taste great!
Rebecca says
Just made this recipe with steel cut oats and I really like it! Since the oat to liquid ratio is different for steel cut oats than rolled oats, I modified the pumpkin to 1/8 c and waited to add it and the other ingredients in the last 5 minutes of cooking. It came out beautifully!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Kristie says
Cannot WAIT to try this!!! My bff/co-worker is a double oatmeal + pumpkin spiced everything fiend, so I'm going to surprise her with a batch asap! I'm slowly introducing my office to the joys of vegan eating 🙂 So far, everyone has been pleasantly surprised! I love your recipes!!
....can't forget my "woot woot" for the pumpkin spiced latte!!! I'm hoping to bring the ingredients to work with me and use our Keurig to concoct one for us all! 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Yay thank you! So happy you are enjoying my recipes so much. I hope your bff loves her surprise!! Thanks for the woot woot 🙂
Kathy Skinner says
This oatmeal looks amazing! And definitely Woot Woot for the Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe!!! Love, love, love your recipes!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww thank you so much Kathy!!! I hope you enjoy the oatmeal and the latte when it comes 😉
Victoria says
Thanks for the tip about the choice of dates for adding to cooking. We do LUV medjools and a big fat pecan half tucked in for pecan pie bites. Here's my wootwoot for your pumpkin spice latte recipe... now... to convert it to add to my cold brew. 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
You can totally use medjools if that's what you have, they are just a bit more pricey. Hope you love the oatmeal and thanks for your woot woot! I will keep in mind to make it cold brew friendly!
Jen says
Love your recipes, oatmeal freak myself 😉 Would love to see your recipe for the vegan pumpkin spiced latte!
Sam Turnbull says
Thanks so much Jen! Noted 🙂