Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal with Cream Topping

As you’ve seen, I am a major fan of oats in all different ways. They are really quick to prepare, keep you fuller longer, and taste so good! It’s warm and gives you that cozy feeling. MMM…oatmeal.
Baked oatmeal is a mix between a bowl of oatmeal and a granola bar. It’s crunchy on the top and edges, but soft on the inside. It can also be portable which is perfect for us busy ladies.

Now that I have all this pumpkin waiting to be used (seriously, I heard yelling in the freezer “bake with me!!!”) I figured it would be a great combo with baked oatmeal.
This features ingredients and flavors that go with pumpkin pie like dates and pecans. Each bite has some date in it which gives a great burst of sweetness. Yum! It also has a creamy high protein topping that is just too good to pass up.

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal with Cream Topping
1 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup chopped dates, I used 4 medjool dates
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
3 Tb pure maple syrup
1/2 dropper stevia (optional, but makes it a bit sweeter)
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1/4-1/2 tsp cinnamon
shake of allspice (I used this instead of the usual pumpkin pie spice)
1/2 cup pumpkin puree*
3/4 cup milk of your choice, I used unsweetened almond

Preheat oven to 350F.
Spray an 8×8 pan with oil. I used an oval shaped Corningware dish.
Mix together the first four ingredients. Add in the rest and stir to combine.
Pour into pan and bake for 30-40 minutes till top is browned a bit and firm to touch.

Once done, remove from oven and let it sit till cool. You can then cut into 6-8 squares.
Place them in separate sandwich bags to grab on the run and eat cold or room temp.
You can also microwave them a bit and top with this yummy goodness.

Creamy Greek Yogurt Topping
2 Tb greek yogurt
1/2 Tb maple syrup
shake of cinnamon

Stir together and top your baked oatmeal square.

This makes one serving to go on top of the square. You can make more as needed. I just mixed it together right before having one square. It takes seconds to put together.

If you do not have pumpkin you can probably use applesauce instead. It should still taste great.
I haven’t tried, but I am sure other nuts/seeds and dried fruit would go well here in place of the pecans and dates. First try this combo though, it’s amazing!!

Although this recipe does use pumpkin, it’s not the star of the show. But have no fear- I have more pumpkin recipes to share!

Have you ever tried baked oatmeal? It feels like such a treat eating it. As though you have your own piece of cake. I love it and I hope you do too!