Pumpkin pie steel cut oats made in the slow cooker are perfect for fall (or any time of year) and couldn’t be easier to make. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to a hot breakfast?
Do you know what is better than waking up to a breakfast that is already made?
NOTHING.
Nothing is better than that. Maybe it’s because I’m still nursing N, but I wake up STARVING (and usually nauseous too, as if 9 months of that weren’t enough). Having breakfast already made starts my day right away and puts a smile on my face.
Even better — a healthy and filling breakfast that isn’t going to have me hungry again at 6AM. Because N gets up for the day at 5AM. So my day starts at 5AM, whether I like it or not. Having a hot breakfast waiting for me makes it slightly more tolerable. Not to mention his adorable dimples. They help a lot too.
Should we take it one step further and talk about what’s even better than a hot breakfast waiting for you?
Well duh, a breakfast that tastes like PIE but doesn’t have the calories of pie.
All good things going on here!
Not only that, but this pumpkin pie steel cut oats recipe could not possibly be easier to make. Throw everything in the slow cooker, stir, cook over night, stir again. All that’s left to do after that is eat.
This recipe is twist on my traditional slow cooker steel cut oats, but is perfect for the time of falling leaves, crisp cool air, and pumpkin obsession. Not crazy about pumpkin? Try carrot cake slow cooker oats. In a hurry? Make Instant Pot steel cut oats.
Don’t forget to have fun with toppings before you eat it. I like a little brown sugar, milk, and some toasted nuts — either pecans or walnuts. Pepitas would be perfect too, keeping with the pumpkin theme. Or maybe you’re craving something a little more indulgent? Go ahead, grab that whipped cream and use it to top your pumpkin pie steel cut oats.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Steel Cut Oats Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups steel cut oats (don't substitute old fashioned rolled or quick oats!)
- 6 cups water
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (see note)
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional toppings: milk, brown sugar, extra pumpkin pie spice, toasted pecans
Instructions
- Spray the inside of a 4 to 6-quart crockpot with nonstick cooking spray or rub with coconut oil or butter.
- Mix all ingredients in slow cooker.
- Cook on Low, covered, for 7 to 8 hours (overnight is perfect!) or on high for 4 hours, until the oats are tender and the water is absorbed.
- Serve warm with toppings.
Notes
- Canned pumpkin puree is fine. Don't substitute canned pumpkin pie filling which has added sugar and spices.
- Nutrition information does not include optional toppings.
- Leftover oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator 4 or 6 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or larger amounts on the stove.
- Recipe revised 2/2/2023.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
Verdict: Loved this. It makes a humungous batch, so be prepared to eat this all week (extra bonus!).
Husband’s take: He loves eating this before he leaves for work.
Changes I would make: None are necessary!
Difficulty: SO easy.
pumpkin for breakfast in addition to my daily pumpkin desserts sounds pretty amazing to me! thank you for the recipe!
You have no idea how excited I am to try this recipe. I also need breakfast first thing in the AM and my pumpkin obsession is never ending!!
I have been wanting to try an overnight oat recipe – this one sounds perfect!!
i’ll definitely try this out soon!
This is probably a dumb question, but will it make a difference with steel cut oats compared to regular rolled oats? I’ve tried a slow-cooker oatmeal recipe before and it just didn’t turn out.
They might get too mushy — I’d stick to steel cut oats if you can find them. (Not a dumb question!) What went wrong with the recipe you tried? I used to cook on low and found that cooking on warm worked much better.
That’s what happened with the one I made – mushy (it was on low though). Plus, we really didn’t like the flavor because it was an apple cider.
This looks awesome Rachel. I really need to try overnight oats.
Just added pumpkin butter to my oats this morning – what a treat to have your whole house smelling like it all! Slow cookers are the best.
yummy!
too crazy! I was just looking for an overnight pumpkin oats recipe last night (true story). Saving this for the weekend. Yum!
I love pumpkin oatmeal, but I’ve never had it with steel cut oats. I bet it’s a great treat so early in the morning.