It’s officially fall and that means it’s pumpkin time! Nothing screams fall more than pumpkin and a cozy baked oatmeal recipe. So here we are sharing this healthy pumpkin baked oatmeal with cranberries!
It is full of pumpkin spice flavor, everything is mixed together in one bowl, and then is all baked together into a warm and comforting breakfast or snack. These bars are great warm right out of the oven, but my favorite way to enjoy them is cold.
Once cooled, they get a little firmer and take on a dense and chewy texture and it tastes like a big fat oatmeal cookie to me. Smear them with some greek yogurt, nut butter, and cinnamon and you have one heck of a snack!
Besides the fact that they are delicious, this baked pumpkin oatmeal recipe makes a great addition to your diet. It’s filled with healthy complex carbs, whole grains, fiber, and some protein and healthy fats. Eat it for breakfast with some eggs, have it as a snack, or I love them as the perfect pre-workout snack.
Why we love this pumpkin baked oatmeal
- warm and cozy and perfect for cool fall mornings – or all year round if you love pumpkin
- easy to make – simply just mix it all up and bake
- packed with complex carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats
- lightly sweetened
- great for meal prep – have it on hand during the week for any easy addition to breakfast, snack, or dessert
Ingredients
- rolled oats – I suggest old-fashioned rolled oats
- canned pumpkin puree
- milk – dairy or non-dairy work
- eggs
- almond butter
- maple syrup – just 2 tablespoons for a touch of sweetness
- vanilla extract
- pumpkin pie spice
- cinnamon
- ground ginger
- dried cranberries
- salt
How to make pumpkin baked oatmeal
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8×8 baking dish with melted coconut oil and set aside.
- Mix ingredients. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add wet ingredients and mix well to combine. Add your dry ingredients and mix well to combine. Stir in dried cranberries. I like to save a few for sprinkling on top.
- Bake. Pour the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes until firm and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 5-10 minutes and slice into 9 equal-sized bars.
- Enjoy! Serve as is or with a dollop of greek yogurt and a drizzle of maple syrup and enjoy!
Storage
- fridge – first, let the bars cool completely. Add to a sealable airtight container or you can simply wrap the pan you baked it in with tin foil or saran wrap. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to a week.
- reheat – pop it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until warm/hot. You can also eat it cold right out of the fridge (usually what I do!).
- to freeze – let cool completely and place individual bars on a large plate or baking sheet. Place in the freezer and let freeze for 2 hours or until hardened. This will help ensure they freeze individually and won’t stick together. Transfer to a large bag (we love these reusable silicone bags) and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also wrap each one in individual portions and throw them right in the freezer after they have cooled. Defrost by placing them in the refrigerator and then warming up the microwave if desired.
Substitutions and additions
There are endless ways you can change up this oatmeal bake to meet your dietary preferences or if you just want a change the flavors some.
- rolled oats – you can use quick cooking oats instead of rolled oats. I would not recommend steel cut oats for this recipe. To make gluten-free, make sure you are using certified gluten-free oats.
- milk – dairy or dairy-free work. I’ve used both and no difference in the outcome.
- eggs – egg whites should work instead of whole eggs if you want to increase the protein a little more. If you are vegan or can’t have eggs, you can try to substitute with 2 flax eggs. I haven’t tried this, but they are usually a 1:1 substitute in recipes.
- almond butter – peanut butter, cashew butter, and pecan butter would all work. Sunflower seed butter or tahini would be great for a nut-free option.
- maple syrup – honey or liquid sweetener of choice will work
- dried cranberries – raisins will work instead of cranberries
And here are some additions to spice up these bars:
- fresh fruit – blueberries or diced apples would be delicious
- chocolate chips
- chopped nuts or seeds – pecans, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds would all be delicious.
- shredded coconut
- protein powder – if you’re looking to up the protein a little more, you can stir in some protein powder (vanilla would be delicious). Depending on what kind you use, if the batter looks too thick, I would stir in a little more milk.
More healthy oatmeal recipes
- oatmeal chocolate chip muffins
- peach baked oatmeal
- apple cinnamon overnight oats
- gingerbread baked oatmeal bars
- oatmeal raisin bars
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Healthy pumpkin baked oatmeal with cranberries, almond butter, and warming spices makes the perfect healthy fall breakfast recipe. Made with only a handful of ingredients and in one bowl, it is great for meal prep or a healthy snack throughout the week. Gluten-free and dairy-free.
Print Recipe
ingredients
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup almond butter (64 grams)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups rolled oats (225 grams)
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (60 grams – plus more for topping if desired)
- oil, for greasing the pan
- optional toppings: almond butter, honey, cinnamon, yogurt…
instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8×8 baking dish with melted coconut oil and set aside.
- Mix ingredients. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add wet ingredients (pumpkin, milk, eggs, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla) and mix well to combine. Add your dry ingredients (oats, dried cranberries, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger, and salt) and mix well to combine. I like to save a few dried cranberries to sprinkle on top.
- Bake. Pour the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle with some more cranberries if desired. Bake for 30-35 minutes until firm and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 5-10 minutes and slice into 9 equal-sized bars.
- Enjoy! Serve as is or with a dollop of greek yogurt and a drizzle of maple syrup and enjoy!
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nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Amount Per Serving (1 piece)
Calories 216
Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1.3g8%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.8g
Monounsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 42.7mg14%
Sodium 75mg3%
Potassium 289mg8%
Carbohydrates 32g11%
Fiber 5.3g22%
Sugar 9.8g11%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 392IU8%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 82mg8%
Iron 2.4mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe or anything from Eat the Gains, leave a comment and rating to let people know how you liked it! Also, make sure to post it and tag me so I can see all of your creations!! @eatthegains and #eatthegains on Instagram!
Audrey L says
This was a such an easy meal prep breakfast, I have to get out the door early for work and it is an easy bake and easy take. My only problem was my protein powder I added. I added vanilla protein and it really changed the texture of it. Next time I’ll probaly do half the protein powder or none at all to keep the graininess away : )
Kelly says
Glad it made for an easy morning! And yes, the protein will dry it out some, so adding more liquid will help, or just using a little less like you said. Thanks for trying it!
Adina says
Delicious! Perfect pre-workout or breakfast with a little almond butter on top!
Kelly says
So glad you enjoyed them, Adina! Thanks for trying them!
Dan says
Very tasty and good for you
Kelly says
Glad you enjoyed it Dan!
Molly says
I love this recipe for a balanced addition to my breakfast. It keeps really well in the fridge and is perfect for a little sweet fix in the evening, too. I made it using a little bit of maple syrup to cut the sour cranberries a little bit this time; I didn’t know I could love it more before trying that! So easy to make, adaptable, and only one bowl… doesn’t get better than that!
Kelly says
Oh yum, that sounds so good and I am going to have to try that! Thanks for trying it Molly!!
Dad says
Looks good and healthy
Kelly says
I think mom would love it! Not too sweet and a good snack to have on hand!