Why let the oatmeal sit covered?

Cover cooked oatmeal in the same pot and with the same lid for 5 to 10 minutes to make the oatmeal creamier while it remains in the pot. I usually eat the oatmeal after taking everything else out of the pot. Oatmeal served immediately will be looser than oatmeal that rests. Covered oatmeal and uncovered oatmeal may differ in texture. You can cover the oatmeal in the pot for 5 to 10 minutes at any point.

Can I use protein oats?

I eat protein oats as desired, accepting a chewier oatmeal texture. Mixing protein oats with rolled oats gives you the benefits of both rolled oats and protein oats. There are no guidelines about what proportion of protein oats to rolled oats to mix. Mix protein oats with rolled oats in whatever proportions you prefer.

Can I double this recipe?

You can prepare a double batch to eat later. Do the same preparation, but use twice as many ingredients in the pot. Oatmeal stores well in the refrigerator. A double batch can be useful on other days when you want to eat oatmeal for breakfast.

How should I reheat it?

Reheat with milk or water. This will help make the oatmeal softer and ready for a quick breakfast.

Does pumpkin spice oatmeal keep well?

It can be kept in the refrigerator to use for breakfast later.

What milk works in this oatmeal?

Other types of milk can be used instead of almond milk. I like to use homemade almond milk for a richer-tasting oatmeal, if I have it. Use the same amount of milk called for in the recipe.

Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal

By Mason BrooksOct 11, 2026

Prep

10 min

Cook

10 min

Total

20 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Pumpkin spice oatmeal can be cooked in a cooker and simmered to avoid overcooking. I cook pumpkin spice oatmeal for breakfast on some mornings when I want to add canned pumpkin and dates to my meal. I like the sweet, caramel taste of dates paired with pumpkin spice, especially in a warm dish.

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal with Dates and Pumpkin Puree

I use a one-to-two ratio of oats to liquid. I modify the ratio to suit my texture preferences. To make oatmeal soupier, I add an extra 1/2 cup of almond milk or water. To make it more like cream of wheat, I add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk or water to the oats before cooking. These modifications affect the texture of the oatmeal more than cooking time does.

Protein oats are sticky. I mix in regular oats with protein oats if available. Homemade almond milk helps make protein oats creamy. Other types of milk can also be used to make protein oats creamy. I prefer a homemade pumpkin spice mix with Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and black pepper over a store-bought version because it is spicier. I like the flavor of black pepper.

After cooking oatmeal, I add cold milk and maple syrup and more pumpkin spice to a bowl of oatmeal. I don't just leave it out. Cold milk and hot oatmeal is how I serve this dish, and dates are included in the bowl of oatmeal.

Why you'll love this recipe

Start cooking medium-high to reach boiling temperature, Then, lower the heat to low to allow the oats to thicken without turning pasty.
Chopped dates will soften in the dish and provide sweetness and a bit of caramel flavor without extra preparation just before serving.
The oats are precooked and still slightly chewy, They are not mushy.
A covered rest helps make thick oatmeal more palatable to consumers, Taste and texture improve further during serving.
One pot is used for cooking; you can immediately put the lid on the pot after cooking.
Maple syrup and extra pumpkin spice finish hot oatmeal at the table.

Instructions

Put the milk, rolled oats, chopped dates, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin spice, and salt in a pot.

Heat over medium-high until bubbling, then reduce the heat to low and cook until the oatmeal has thickened and the oats are soft but still have some bite.

Cover the pot with a lid and let the oatmeal sit for 5-10 minutes.

Spoon the oatmeal into a bowl, then top with cold milk, maple syrup, and an extra sprinkle of pumpkin spice.

FAQ

Remove from heat when the oatmeal is soft and chewy. Do not boil down completely. The oatmeal should not be dry or stiff in the pot. Boiling at a low temperature helps the oatmeal continue to cook once boiling starts.

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Breakfast Vegetarian American Quick Meals Stovetop

Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal

Name: Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 1 cup house blend milk or any creamy milk (230 g); 1/2 cup rolled oats (55 g); 2 Medjool dates (2-3 dates, 25 g or 40 g, pitted and roughly chopped, adjust depending on preference); 3 tbsp pumpkin puree (45 g); 1 tsp maple syrup (for flavor, plus more for topping); 1 tsp pumpkin spice (plus more for topping); 1/4 tsp kosher salt (plus more as needed); cold milk (for topping)

By Mason BrooksOct 11, 2026

Prep

10 min

Cook

10 min

Total

20 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Start cooking medium-high to reach boiling temperature, Then, lower the heat to low to allow the oats to thicken without turning pasty.
Chopped dates will soften in the dish and provide sweetness and a bit of caramel flavor without extra preparation just before serving.
The oats are precooked and still slightly chewy, They are not mushy.
A covered rest helps make thick oatmeal more palatable to consumers, Taste and texture improve further during serving.
One pot is used for cooking; you can immediately put the lid on the pot after cooking.
Maple syrup and extra pumpkin spice finish hot oatmeal at the table.

Ingredients

Servings1

•1 cup house blend milk or any creamy milk (230 g)
•½ cup rolled oats (55 g)
•2 Medjool dates (2-3 dates, 25 g or 40 g, pitted and roughly chopped, adjust depending on preference)
•3 tbsp pumpkin puree (45 g)
•1 tsp maple syrup (for flavor, plus more for topping)
•1 tsp pumpkin spice (plus more for topping)
•¼ tsp kosher salt (plus more as needed)
•cold milk (for topping)

Instructions

1
Put the milk, rolled oats, chopped dates, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin spice, and salt in a pot.
2
Heat over medium-high until bubbling, then reduce the heat to low and cook until the oatmeal has thickened and the oats are soft but still have some bite.
3
Cover the pot with a lid and let the oatmeal sit for 5-10 minutes.
4
Spoon the oatmeal into a bowl, then top with cold milk, maple syrup, and an extra sprinkle of pumpkin spice.