Pumpkin Baked Oats - Muffin-Style

These pumpkin baked oats combine the flavor and texture of baked oatmeal with the sensibilities of muffins. This healthy, delicious baked oats recipe is made with simple, good-for-you ingredients and zero refined sugars. They're also gluten and dairy free. I love baking them in a muffin pan, so they're as convenient as they are delicious.

Cooking with oats is one of the best ways to create delicious recipes that are also good for you. Baked oatmeal recipes like blackberry oatmeal muffins, cinnamon oatmeal cups, and baked apple cinnamon oats allow you to enjoy delicious flavors that you can feel good about, and that's always a great thing!

I make tons of oatmeal recipes, and now I've added these pumpkin pie baked oatmeal bites to my rotation. They're delicious, fun, and use ingredients that leave you feeling full and powered up for the day while also tasting absolutely amazing. They're the perfect start to the day, an afternoon snack, or an on-the-go bite when you're having a particularly busy day.

Like my Baked Oats without Banana and my Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins I make these pumpkin baked oatmeal bites with no refined sugars, relying on the natural sweetness of maple syrup for sweetness, and I add chia seeds for more protein and fiber, so these little guys really fill me up. Because they're freezer-friendly, I also like to make double batches from time to time to save for later.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Basic Ingredients: Everything used in these muffins is either in your kitchen or at your local grocery store.
• Basic Recipe: All you have to do is mix and bake!
• Delicious Pumpkin Flavor: These muffins are made with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, oats, vanilla, and chocolate chips, so they're full of delicious, classic flavor in every bite.
• Healthy: Because these muffins are made with oats, simple pumpkin puree, chia seeds, and no refined sugars, these muffins are a good-for-you start to the day or afternoon snack.
• Versatile: These are the perfect breakfast or brunch item, afternoon snack, or grab-and-go item for busy days.
• Great for Meal Prep: These pumpkin oat bites are freezer-friendly, so you can make a double batch and freeze some for later.

Ingredients

See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.

• Gluten Free Rolled Oats: Old fashioned rolled oats add tons of chewy texture to these bites, along with complex carbs, fiber, and protein.
• Pumpkin Puree: Pumpkin puree adds moisture and so much delicious pumpkin flavor.
• Spices: A blend of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon creates that classic flavor we love in any pumpkin dish.
• Maple Syrup: Maple syrup gives the oatmeal bites natural sweetness with no refined sugar.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: Unsweetened almond milk adds the liquid necessary to cook the oats without adding extra sugar.
• Chia Seeds: Chia seeds help bind the muffins together and add health benefits like fiber, protein, and omega fatty acids.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds a deep, rich, warm note. I prefer Singing Dog vanilla extract for its quality, purity, and deep vanilla flavor.
• Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips add more sweetness and flavor.

Flavor Variations

• Add Nuts: Your favorite chopped nuts add more flavor and texture to these bites.
• Baked Pumpkin Oats Squares: Bake the mixture in a baking dish and cut it into squares.
• Chocolate Chips: Use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips. They all work!
• Diced Fruit: Try adding finely diced apples or your favorite fruits to this bake oatmeal recipe.
• Make Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice: Combine 4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cloves, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
• Change Out the Pumpkin: Try using butternut squash puree or mashed sweet potato for a tasty variation.

How to Make Pumpkin Baked Oats - Muffin-Style

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and, using a pastry brush, lightly coat a silicone cupcake pan with coconut oil.
2. Combine the chia seeds and wet ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Then, add the wet ingredients to the oat mixture.
4. Use a cookie scoop to fill each cupcake well almost to the top. Then, bake until the oat cups are no longer wet and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Remove the oat bites from the oven, cool, and enjoy
6. Remove the oat bites from the oven, cool, and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• I like to coat the cupcake pan with coconut oil rather than using nonstick spray to ensure every part of the well is fully coated.
• A silicone cupcake pan works best because it's so easy to pop out the bites when they're finished baking.
• Be sure you buy pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. They're often sold next to or near one another.

Pairing Suggestions

These pumpkin baked oats are the perfect start to the day or an afternoon snack with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.

You can also serve them with other savory breakfast items like kimchi egg cups, air fryer waffle sandwiches, or breakfast casserole for an even heartier breakfast or brunch.