Capture the comfort of a warm bowl of pumpkin oatmeal with cozy fall flavors in this easy, make-ahead breakfast idea for the whole week! Originally published October 2015. Last updated October 2022.
I like to get different flavors, nutritional value, and multiple textures into each meal and dirty as few dishes as possible. So, in developing this baked oatmeal recipe for fall flavor profile, I did just that. My baked pumpkin oatmeal bars are a convenient, nutrient-rich, and delicious way to start the day or just grab for a snack. Let's get into the details!
If you love fall breakfast recipes, check these out, too.


What You'll Need for this Recipe
Making healthy oatmeal bars is a very simple process and I fill mine with filling and flavorful ingredients. Here's what to add to your grocery list.
- Apple
- Butter
- Cinnamon
- Dried Cranberries
- Flaxmeal
- Maple Syrup
- Milk
- Nut Butter
- Pumpkin Puree
- Rolled Oats
- Sea Salt
- Vanilla Extract
- Vanilla Protein Powder
- Walnuts



As far as tools to meal prep pumpkin oats, grab a large mixing bowl and a square baking dish. I like to mix everything up with a silicone spatula! And when you're done, store your finished bars in an airtight container. This is also how I store my other baked oatmeal recipes and even my homemade instant oatmeal blend.


What do they Taste Like?
The flavors in this recipe are layered. You will taste fruity notes from the cranberry, apple, and pumpkin, and well as nuttiness from the nut butter and walnuts. I prefer to use a vanilla protein powder and vanilla extract for smooth bakery-like notes. Maple syrup adds sweetness with hints of caramel and even woodiness depending on which kind you use. The texture of this handheld pumpkin oatmeal is dense and chewy.


Making PCOS Friendly Oatmeal
Here are the healthy hormone supporting ingredients I incorporate into my baked protein oats with pumpkin.
Cinnamon is a must in this PCOS pumpkin oatmeal recipe because it's been shown to support blood sugar regulation and reduce insulin resistance. I add it to lots of other meals, too.
Pumpkin is fiber rich and full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants so a solid part of this hormone friendly breakfast idea.
Protein Powder, Nut Butter, and Walnuts provide lots of protein to help balance my breakfast bars and flatten any blood sugar spikes from the oats, fruit, and maple syrup. Adding more protein to meals has been immensely helpful in managing my blood sugar and consequently PCOS symptoms.
Apple adds additional fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Use whatever kind you like green apples are most often recommended for PCOS management because they have a lower GI that helps decrease insulin resistance.
Flax Seeds are rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytoestrogens, all of which are wonderful for women with PCOS. I use ground flaxmeal in this blood sugar balancing breakfast for easier digestion and nutrient absorption.
Maple Syrup is optional but adds part of the titular flavor to this recipe. It's a nutritive sweetener in comparison to granulated sugar and has a lower GI score.
Incorporate this recipe into your morning meal routine ASAP. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this baked pumpkin oats recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Healthy Baked Pumpkin Maple Oatmeal Recipe

Pumpkin Maple Baked Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup nut butter
- 4 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
- ½ cup flax meal or flax seeds
- 4 tablespoons vanilla protein powder optional
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 apple chopped
- ⅓ cup walnut pieces
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- 1 ⅔ cup milk
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a nine by nine-inch square baking pan with nonstick oil. Set aside.
- Place nut butter in microwave to warm it up and loosen the texture (about 30-45 seconds from room temperature).
- Meanwhile, combine oats, flax meal, protein powder, cinnamon, sea salt, apple, walnuts, and dried cranberries in a large mixing bowl.
- Add milk, pumpkin puree, warmed nut butter, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla extract to a bowl and mix until uniform.
- Add wet mixture to dry and stir until there are no dry pockets left in the mixture. Spread into prepared baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for about 35 minutes or until top of oatmeal is firm when pressing down (but not hardened) and a toothpick inserted into the oatmeal comes out dry.
- Cool to room temperature before slicing into nine bars. Store refrigerated in an airtight container. Keeps for about one week.
Kerene @ The Dream Baker says
Thank you for your participation and support for October 2015 Our Growing Edge. The round-up post is up at: http://iamthedreambaker.blogspot.sg/2015/11/our-growing-edge-october-2015-round-up.html. Looking forward to your continuos support! Cheers.
Kerene @ The Dream Baker says
Thank you for your participation and support for October 2015 Our Growing Edge. The round-up post is up at: http://iamthedreambaker.blogspot.sg/2015/11/our-growing-edge-october-2015-round-up.html. Looking forward to your continuos support! Cheers.
Natalie Tamara says
I've just hopped over from Kerene's round-up from Our Growing Edge and love the look of this! Baked oatmeal is something I have to start making and adding pumpkin is a great idea 🙂
jazzmineama says
Thank you for visiting, Natalie. I hope you'll try the recipe and let me know how you like it.
Natalie Tamara says
I've just hopped over from Kerene's round-up from Our Growing Edge and love the look of this! Baked oatmeal is something I have to start making and adding pumpkin is a great idea 🙂
jazzmineama says
Thank you for visiting, Natalie. I hope you'll try the recipe and let me know how you like it.
Marta says
Our twins said these Pumpkin Maple Baked Oatmeal bars "saved their lives." Drama aside, they were so easy to make, but even easier for them to grab on their way out of the door to classes. We loved the combo of pumpkin and maple with the earthiness of the oats especially.
Jessica Lawson says
I'm a pumpkin all year type of girls so decided to try this recipe for my make ahead breakfasts this week. These are DELICIOUS. Will be making another batch this weekend for a friend who just had a baby!
Kate says
My baked oatmeal turned out amazing! Love that it is PCOS-friendly, that way I can make it for a friend.
Britney Brown-Chamberlain says
I loved the addition of walnuts and cranberries, we've been eating this for breakfast. It also reheats really well too!