“Like pumpkin pie in a bowl, with nuts and milk too” was the verdict as my boys ate this breakfast. Steel cut oats are perfect for this dish. Just slightly chewy, with their nutty flavor, the oats complimented the pumpkin and cream wonderfully.
With generous amounts of all the spices that remind me of fall, this oatmeal smelled wonderful as it was baking.
Check out all of our Oatmeal Recipes!

Baked Pumpkin Spice and Toasted Pecan Steel Cut Oatmeal
Recipe adapted from and with thanks to The Kitchn
Servings: 4 -5 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 1/2 cups steel cut oats not the quick cooking variety
- 1/2 cup pecan halves chopped
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups half and half *
- 3 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- * Milk can be used as well. Simply substitute 2 cups of milk and reduce the water to 2 ½ cups.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In an OVEN-SAFE 4 quart or larger saucepan, flat bottom skillet or dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium high heat. It should foam fairly quickly. Add the oats and pecans, stir to coat. Continue stirring, as they cook for 2-3 minutes, until they smell toasted.
- Push the oats to the sides of the pan and drop the second tablespoon of butter into the bottom of the pan. After it melts, add the pumpkin on top of it and press down a bit without stirring. Allow it to "fry" in the bottom of the pan for about a minute before stirring it into the oats. Add the sugar and spices and continue stirring while it cooks for 3-4 more minutes. Once the color darkens a bit, pour in the half and half or milk and whisk to combine. Add the water and vanilla and stir again. Put the lid on the pan and place in the oven.
- Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and uncover very carefully; there will be a lot of steam. Stir the oatmeal. It will still be very watery, but it will thicken considerably as it cools. Leave uncovered and let rest 5 minutes. The oats should be tender and just a bit chewy. Serve immediately with a splash of milk or cream. Enjoy!
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Monet says
Pumpkin pie in a bowl sounds pretty good to me! Thank you for sharing such a sweet breakfast recipe. A lovely way to begin the work week! I hope yours is full of good food, friends, and laughter!
Pam says
This sounds amazing! I love baked oatmeal.
Sue/the view from great island says
This is ingenious. I love your baked oatmeals to begin with, but now you've gone and added pumpkin! Can you please give me a tutorial on how you get that soft glow in all your photos? It makes this look incredible!!!!!
Gerry @Foodness Gracious says
I love the sound of this, recently bought TJ's pumpkin oatmeal and it sucks! This would be way better..
Cheryl NY says
Does this reheat well?
Mary says
I've never tried reheating it, Cheryl. I imagine it would be fine though, you might need to stir in a splash of milk if it firms up too much in the fridge. Hope that helps!
Cheryl NY says
Thank you, Mary! I live alone and think is a bountiful recipe! I think I'll make 1/2 recipe to start.
MYRNA BROST says
Haven’t tried it yet but will be soon.
Mary Younkin says
I hope that you love the oatmeal, Myrna.