Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites: A Healthy and Delicious Snack
Pumpkin oatmeal bites make a delicious snack that’s easy to take on the go and is packed with essential nutrients to keep you feeling satisfied and energized throughout the day. Kids love them, and they’re easy to customize to everyone’s tastes!
As the leaves begin to change and the air gets crisp, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the delightful flavors of fall. One of our family’s most beloved treats in the fall is pumpkin oatmeal bites!
These little morsels pack a flavorful and nutritional punch and offer the perfect combination of wholesome ingredients like pumpkin puree, oats, and warm spices. Not to mention, they’re easy to make and a great grab-and-go snack for those crazy busy weekdays.
Making pumpkin oatmeal bites at home is a breeze, and they’re completely customizable to fit your taste preferences. You can add nutritious boosts like chia seeds, almond butter, or a mix of your favorite nuts. Or, if you need a little sweetness, try adding maple syrup or chocolate chips.
They’re different than these no-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls because they’re baked snacks you can make ahead of time and enjoy when you want.
These baked oatmeal cups will quickly become a favorite in your household! They’re a delicious way to incorporate more fiber and nutrients into your and your kids’ diets.
I’m making a whole bunch of these, along with some of my Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Bites, to take to our first mountain biking team race weekend!
So, gather up your ingredients, and let’s make some pumpkin oatmeal bites that will keep you fueled throughout the season!
Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites – A Healthy And Filling Snack
Pumpkin oatmeal cups are made with wholesome ingredients such as pumpkin puree, oats, and various spices to provide a nutritious and VERY tasty alternative to traditional snacks.
These pumpkin baked oatmeal cups combine the health benefits of both pumpkin and oats and are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Additionally, they have heart-healthy properties and soluble fiber content, which can help maintain steady blood sugar levels and promote good digestion.
These pumpkin oatmeal bites are ideal for meal prepping make-ahead snacks. I love how easy they are to transport, making them an ideal on-the-go snack for mountain biking race weekends, baseball tournaments, soccer games, or any other sports activity or adventure.
Essential Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites Ingredients
When it comes to making delicious pumpkin oatmeal bites, a few key ingredients will make this treat stand out.
Here’s a quick list of the main ingredients you’ll need for making pumpkin oatmeal bites:
Pumpkin Purée
This is the star of the show, adding a rich and creamy texture to your pumpkin oatmeal cups while also providing that classic pumpkin flavor we all know and love.
NOTE: Make sure you’re using pure pumpkin puree and NOT pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.
Oats
Oats are a natural and wholesome addition because they add a satisfying chewy texture as well as a nutritional punch.
Note: you can use either old-fashioned (rolled oats) or quick-cooking oats, but the texture might vary slightly. Avoid using steel-cut oats.
Sweetener
To sweeten your bites and balance out the flavors, you can use honey, agave (which I used here), pure maple syrup, or brown sugar based on the sweetener you want to use and the flavor profile you want to obtain.
Chocolate Chips
For those with a sweet tooth (and as a treat for kids), chocolate chips make a delightful addition. You can choose from dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips, depending on your preference. Just a few tablespoons should do the trick!
Spices
To give your pumpkin oatmeal bites a heavenly aroma and a delicious, comforting taste, you’ll use a blend of warm spices, with cinnamon being the most important one. Feel free to experiment with other spices as well, such as nutmeg, ginger, or pumpkin pie spice.
Vanilla extract is another crucial ingredient that adds a pleasant touch of sweetness and enhances the flavors of this delightful snack. A little goes a long way, so all you’ll need is about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon!
Optional add-ins
Seeds – Adding seeds to your pumpkin oatmeal bites is an easy way to boost nutrients. Chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds are great choices.
Nut or seed butter – If you want an extra protein boost, add peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or other seed butter (such as sunflower butter) to these pumpkin baked oatmeal cups. Just make sure your chosen nut butter is smooth and easy to mix.
Dried fruits – Adding raisins (instead of chocolate chips) to your pumpkin baked oatmeal bites brings a natural sweetness and a nice chewy texture. Feel free to experiment with other dried fruits as well, such as chopped dried apricots or cranberries.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cups Nutritional Value
Pumpkin oatmeal bites are packed full of nutrients, making them an excellent choice for a healthy snack. Here are some helpful points to remember about the nutritional value of pumpkin oatmeal bites:
- Low in sodium: These energy bites have relatively low sodium content due to the use of whole, natural ingredients.
- Healthy fats: Oats contain heart-healthy fats, making them a healthier snack option.
- Cholesterol-free: As long as you use plant-based ingredients, these bites are cholesterol-free, further contributing to their heart-healthy benefits.
- Insoluble fiber: Oats are rich in fiber which is great for promoting healthy digestion and keeping you regular.
Enjoy these scrumptious pumpkin oatmeal bites as a delicious and nutritious addition to your healthy snacking routine!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Cups Ingredients Needed
Gather these ingredients together:
- Old fashioned oats
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Chia seeds
- Pure pumpkin puree
- Eggs
- Agave (or honey or maple syrup)
- Milk
- Chocolate chips
- Vanilla extract (optional – see note above)
How To Make Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to enjoy these baked oatmeal cups when you need an energy boost.
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and chia seeds. Whisk to combine.
Step 2
Next, add in the wet ingredients (pumpkin, eggs, agave, milk, and chocolate chips). Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything until well combined.
Step 3
Spoon into a sprayed mini cupcake pan about ¾ full in each muffin tin.
Step 4
Bake at 350 degrees F for about 18-20 minutes.
Step 5
Serve warm and enjoy.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites Variations
Trying to cater to everyone’s dietary preferences? No problem! It’s a breeze to customize these pumpkin oatmeal bites.
Vegan
If you want to make these pumpkin oatmeal bites vegan, simply swap the honey for pure maple syrup and replace the egg with a flax egg by mixing one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water.
Gluten-free
For a gluten-free option, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Cups FAQs
*Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can freeze these as well.
You can easily make pumpkin oatmeal bites without peanut butter by not adding it at all or substituting it with another nut butter, such as almond butter or cashew butter. I DID NOT use any nut butter in these pumpkin oatmeal bites.
If you do want to use a nut butter in this recipe to add a nutty flavor or more protein, simply add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of your preferred nut butter to the dough before baking.
Yes, canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree can be used interchangeably in pumpkin oatmeal bites recipes. Make sure you’re using pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, as the latter contains added sugars and spices.
Alternatively, you can make your own pumpkin puree by roasting and blending the pumpkin until smooth.
To make pumpkin oatmeal bites with coconut, you can add unsweetened shredded coconut to the recipe. This will provide a delicious, tropical twist to the pumpkin oatmeal bites.
Start by adding ¼ to ½ cup of shredded coconut to the mixture, depending on your taste preference. You can also replace some of the oats with coconut flakes for added texture and flavor.
The most common spices used in pumpkin spice oatmeal bites are cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. These spices can be found in pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice blends, or you can create your own pumpkin spice mixture.
For a delicious pumpkin spice oatmeal bite recipe, you can start with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ginger, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of allspice. Adjust the spices to your taste, and feel free to experiment with other warming spices like cloves or cardamom.
Yes! If you’re looking to save some for later, feel free to freeze the pumpkin oatmeal bites in an airtight container.
To enjoy them later, simply transfer the desired number of bites to the refrigerator to thaw for a couple of hours before consumption. Or, you can even enjoy them straight from the freezer for a chilled, refreshing treat!
More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin Chiffon Pie (Easy No-Bake Recipe)
- Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
- The BEST Pumpkin Cobbler Recipe
- Air Fryer Pumpkin Hand Pies
- The BEST Crock Pot Pumpkin Butter
- Decadent Pumpkin French Toast
- Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Cups
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 TBSP Chia seeds
- 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 1 TBSP Agave (or honey or maple syrup)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ chocolate chips
- 1/2 - 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and chia seeds. Whisk to combine.
Next, add in the pumpkin, eggs, agave, milk, vanilla extract (if using), and chocolate chips. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything until well combined.
Spoon into a sprayed cupcake pan about ¾ full in each cavity.
Bake at 350 degrees F for about 18-20 minutes.
Serve warm and enjoy.
I agree that vanilla extract is an essential/main ingredient, -as stated in your notes. However, I almost missed it because it’s not listed in the actual recipe.
For those who may not read the extra information, it would be helpful to repost the recipe to include vanilla extract.
Thanks for sharing such a great, healthy recipe!
Hi Nan! Good point! I added it to the list of ingredients to bring it to the attention of future readers. Thank you for mentioning this!
I see a section in the questions where you address making these nut butter free. However, I don’t see nut butter in the ingredients list at all. How would you add nut butter to these?
Hi Becky! Thanks for bringing that to my attention, and I apologize for not making that more clear. I did not include any nut butter in the recipe when I made them for pictures. However, you CAN add nut butter if you love the flavor or want an extra boost of protein. I clarified that section a bit, so hopefully it’s more clear now.
If you want to add any nut butter, just add 1/4 cup to 1/2 (depending on your preference) to the dough before you put it in the muffin tins and bake it.
These sound delicious! Do you use a mini cupcake pan or regular size?
Hi Sunny! I use the mini cupcake pan – I like the cute bite-size version (plus, that makes them great for snacks)!