Pumpkin Protein Overnight Oats are thick, creamy, and packed with cozy pumpkin flavor and 20 grams of protein. Perfect for an easy make-ahead breakfast!
This is a high protein twist on our all time favorite overnight oats.
We loved cottage cheese overnight oats so much, I couldn’t resist adding pumpkin puree to celebrate in season pumpkin and have a fall flavored healthy breakfast or snack.
These pumpkin protein overnight oats are even creamier and loaded with extra protein! Even if you’re not a pumpkin fan, this recipe might just win you over.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: Just mix and chill overnight, no cooking required.
- Protein packed: 20 grams of protein per each jar. They fit right in with your favorite cottage cheese recipes and high protein recipes.
- Nutrient rich: Oats and pumpkin are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Tastes like pumpkin pie: It’s like starting your day off with dessert, only healthier!
Ingredients for Pumpkin Protein Overnight Oats
You’ll only need 7 simple ingredients, most of which you probably have on hand.
- Milk: I used unsweetened almond milk, but you can use any plant-based milk like cashew, oat, soy, or coconut milk. Dairy milk works too.
- Cottage cheese: Use what you have on hand, these oats will be creamy with low fat and full fat cottage cheese. I used 2% cottage cheese.
- Pumpkin puree: Make sure you use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling with extra sugar.
- Whey protein powder: Currently I am using LeanFit vanilla whey protein powder. It’s grass-fed and clean. You can use unflavored one too. I recommend to use whey protein powder you like the taste of.
- Maple syrup: A natural sweetener. You can also use honey, agave, date syrup, monk fruit extract or your favorite sweetener.
- Pumpkin pie spice: For that delicious pumpkin pie flavor.
- Oats: Rolled oats will result in more chewy texture where as quick oats will become more soft. I like to use rolled oats for more nutrients and texture. You can also use certified gluten-free oats.
How to Make Pumpkin Protein Overnight Oats
This pumpkin protein overnight oats recipe comes together and is fridge ready in just 5 minutes!
- Blend it up: In a blender, combine the milk, cottage cheese, pumpkin puree, vanilla protein powder, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice. Blend until everything is smooth.
- Add oats: Pour in the oats and pulse a few times to combine.
- Fill the jars: Divide the mixture into 5 glass jars evenly.
- Refrigerate: Screw on the lids and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
Recipe Tip
Adjust the consistency in the morning if necessary with more milk. It depends on the type of oats you use and other additions which could make your oats thicker come morning.
Variations
- Add Greek yogurt: For extra creaminess and protein. Start by mixing in 1/4 cup vanilla or plain Greek yogurt, taste, and add more if you like.
- Add nuts and seeds: I love chopped pecans or pumpkin seeds this time of year, and roasting them takes it to the next level!
- Add chia seeds or ground flax: For more fiber. Add ground flax to the blender at the start, or stir in whole chia seeds after blending the oats. Adjust the consistency with more milk, if needed.
- Add more protein: A few scoops of collagen is an easy way to up the protein. It’s flavorless, has low calories, and doesn’t thicken.
- Instead of pumpkin pie spice: Use cinnamon or nutmeg. You can even add a pinch of ground cloves for a slightly spicy flavor.
- Nut butter: Stir a spoonful of your favorite nut butter or peanut butter into the oats before chilling, or add a dollop on top just before serving.
- Dried fruit: Raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates can add a chewy texture and extra sweetness.
How to Eat Overnight Oats
You can enjoy these healthy pumpkin overnight oats warm or cold. They are perfect for meal prep and grab-and-go breakfasts. To warm up, place in a microwave for 20-30 seconds right in a jar without a lid, then stir and enjoy.
Top them with chopped pecans, walnuts or pumpkin seeds to boost the pumpkin flavor. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of maple syrup, and throw on some mini chocolate chips.
You can also serve them over cottage cheese for more protein. Or pair it with cottage cheese egg bites, banana egg pancakes, a slice of avocado toast, or a healthy apple muffin.
How to Store
Store: Store the sealed mason jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze: It is possible to freeze pumpkin overnight oats, but the texture may change once thawed.
FAQs
Yes, but skipping the protein powder will lower the protein content and may make the consistency a bit thinner. You can thicken it up by adding a bit more oats or pumpkin puree.
Yes, but you will need to add more liquid.
Both! They’re delicious straight from the fridge or warmed up in the microwave, just depends on the day and my mood.
Yes, but you’ll need to leave them in the fridge overnight and they will be chewy. Quick cooking steel cut oats will be better because they soften.
More High Protein Recipes to Try
Pumpkin Protein Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups any milk I used unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup cottage cheese any fat %, I use 2%
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder (60 grams)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 3/4 cups rolled or quick oats
Instructions
- In a high speed blender, add milk, cottage cheese, pumpkin puree, vanilla protein powder, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice. Blend until smooth.
- Add oats and give just a few pulses to combine.
- Divide mixture between 5 glass jars, helping with a spatula to distribute oats evenly.
- Cover with lids and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- When ready to eat, stir and and enjoy on its own or with your favorite toppings. If it's too thick, adjust consistency with milk. You can eat it cold or warm, to warm up place in a microwave.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: You can freeze overnight oats, however texture may change.
Hi Olena:
I’m going to make this for breakfast this week but just wanted to clarify the recipe yield. It says 5 servings but the instructions are to fill 3 glass jars. Was 3 just a typo? I love your creative ways to use cottage cheese, it is a great protein source.
It’s 5 small jars, Tracey. I will fix it! I am glad you are enjoying my recipes. Cheers!