Vegan Pumpkin Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter

The oats use pumpkin pie spice for that familiar fall flavor for pumpkin season, and a bit of peanut butter to add a little something special to tie it all together.  If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can use ground cinnamon to give it some extra flavor.  

The pumpkin peanut butter overnight oats are a delicious fall breakfast idea that only takes about 5 minutes to make.  Enjoy them for breakfast, snack time, or even as a healthier dessert with a dollop of coconut cream.  

If you’re looking for more pumpkin oatmeal recipes, I have a pumpkin steel-cut oat recipe.  The recipe utilizes the instant pot but it also has instructions for the stovetop. For more overnight oat recipes try cinnamon overnight oats, applesauce overnight oats, basic overnight oats with flaxseed, mango overnight oats, or chocolate peanut butter overnight oats.

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats use a method of softening uncooked oats without cooking them.  Instead of cooking your oats in the microwave or stovetop with liquid, they are soaked in liquid for at least a few hours or overnight.  The result is a creamy consistency for a cold no-cook method for making oatmeal for the next morning.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The recipe uses simple ingredients, but please see the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Old fashion oats - For the best texture use rolled oats, not steel-cut oats or quick oats. If you have a gluten sensitivity opt for certified gluten-free if needed.  If you're looking for pumpkin oatmeal using steel-cut oats, try my recipe for pumpkin oatmeal.

Dairy-free milk - Any plant-based milk will work, try almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk (the refrigerated kind, not the full-fat canned).  I prefer a 1:1 ratio of milk to oats, but if you like your oats a bit thinner, then add a splash more.

Pumpkin puree - Use creamy pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling for this easy breakfast.  Pumpkin pie filling already has sugar and spices added to it to make pumpkin pie.  If you do substitute with it, you'll want to eliminate or adjust the maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice in the recipe.

Natural peanut butter - Almond butter can be used instead of peanut butter.  Sunflower butter can even be used for a nut-free version of these vegan pumpkin pie overnight oats. For more oatmeal with peanut butter, try overnight oats with banana and cinnamon or chocolate peanut butter overnight oatmeal.

Pure maple syrup -  For a touch of sweetness add maple syrup.  If needed, it can be substituted with agave syrup or your sweetener of choice.  Add it to taste to suit your preference for sweetness.

Ground flax seeds - Ground flax seeds are used to help thicken the overnight oats recipe but can be substituted with chia seeds.  I’m not a fan of a 1-to-1 substitution in oats, it’s just too many chia seeds for me.  So I’ll reduce it to 1 to 2 teaspoons of chia seeds, but substitute according to your liking.

Pumpkin pie spice - The pumpkin pie spice gives the oats a more pumpkin pie flavor, but if needed use ground cinnamon instead.

Vanilla extract - Just a little for extra flavor, but can be skipped.

Meal prep

The recipe is for just one serving but is great for meal prepping.  It can easily be made in bulk on the weekend, and use them as grab-and-go creamy overnight oats for busy mornings.  I reuse cleaned-out peanut butter jars with their lids, but any container with a lid will work for this easy recipe.  

I line the jars up and put in all of the ingredients to make a weekly batch for everyone in the house.  Prep once, clean once but have breakfast for five days.

Tips

• The overnight oats need to soak for at least 2 hours for the oats to absorb the liquid, but they get super creamy when left to soak overnight.  
• If you like a thinner consistency, add a little more plant-based milk before consuming it.
• Make sure all of the oats are submerged in the milk.

Topping ideas

The delicious breakfast is great on its own or add your favorite toppings.

• Candied or toasted pecans or walnuts
• Dried cranberries
• Shelled pumpkin seeds
• Vegan chocolate chips
• Coconut yogurt 
• Oil-free granola
• Coconut whip

How to make vegan pumpkin overnight oats

1. Mix everything in a small bowl, airtight container, or a jar with a lid.
2. Mix well and let soak for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight.
3. Give the oats a good stir then add your toppings before consuming.

Yep, it’s that easy!

Storage

Store the overnight oats in the refrigerator in airtight containers.  They should last for up to 5 days but are best consumed within 3 days.  

Frequently asked questions

More plant-based pumpkin recipes

• Oil-free vegan pumpkin muffins
• Pumpkin steel-cut oats (Instant Pot)
• Pumpkin peanut butter muffins

More easy vegan overnight oats

• Banana and cinnamon overnight oats
• Mixed berry cheesecake overnight oats
• PB2 overnight oats

I hope you enjoy this recipe for vegan pumpkin pie overnight oats! If you like it, feel free to rate it and leave a comment.