Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

With a new baby at home, my body is in constant tug of war with itself... to eat or sleep? Sleep or eat? Overnight Oat are helping me find a healthy compromise. In a few short minutes, I can stir together a big bowl of oats ready for the eating each morning throughout the week. Thereby maximizing the time I can sleep each morning and minimizing the time I spend at the stove.

Fall has come, at least per the calendar. But in true Texas fashion, we're still seeing 90 degree days. Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal is truly one of my favorite oatmeal recipes, but I just haven't been in the mood to eat a hot bowl oats in the morning. So I thought chilled Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats might be the perfect way to usher in the Fall flavors without breaking a sweat at the breakfast table.

A while back I came across a bag of Ancient Grains at Trader Joes. It combines oats, quinoa flakes, chia seeds and flax seeds making for a truly nutritious bowl of oatmeal. I recently ran out of the Ancient Grains, and as I wasn't planning a pilgrimage to Trader Joes any time soon, I recreated my own grain blend thanks to a few quick Amazon purchases. Of course, you're welcome to skip the seeds and simply use rolled oats for this recipe.

Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

Ingredients

· 2 ½ cups rolled oats

· ½ cup quinoa flakes

· 2 tbsp ground flax seed, optional

· 2 tbsp chia seeds, optional

· 15oz canned pumpkin puree

· 4 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk

· 3 tbsp maple syrup

· 1 tsp vanilla extract

· 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

· Pinch of salt

· ½ cup dried cranberries

· 1/3 cup pecans, chopped

For serving

· Greek yogurt

· Maple syrup

In a large bowl, combine the oats, quinoa flakes, flax seed, and chia seed. Mix in the pumpkin, almond milk, syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Take care to mix thoroughly so that the flax seed is evenly distributed and does not form clumps. Fold in the cranberries and pecans.

Transfer the oats to an airtight storage container. Allow the oats to chill in the fridge overnight.

Spoon the chilled oats in a bowl and top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of more maple syrup if desired.

Serves 6

Notes

If unavailable or otherwise preferred, swap the quinoa flakes for more rolled oats.

Gluten Free Friendly!

Double check your nutrition labels to ensure the oats, dried fruits, and nuts are processed in a gluten free facility.