Cozy Pumpkin Barley Porridge – A Comforting Fall Breakfast Recipe

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Updated for 2025 with new photos and a cozy fall recipe intro!

I first made this pumpkin barley porridge on a rainy fall morning, and now it’s become a favorite. It’s warm, creamy, and just the right kind of cozy, whether you’re curled up with a mystery novel or meal-prepping your week.

A delicious warm breakfast that tastes like pumpkin pie, but it’s a whole lot healthier. This yummy breakfast is made the night before, so when you wake up, it’s ready and waiting for you. With just 6 ingredients and 10 minutes of your time, it’s hard to say no to this easy and fast breakfast!

You’ll need a slow cooker or an Instana pot with a warm/slow cook setting, canned pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg, milk, barley, and maple syrup.

I created this real food, nutrient-packed breakfast as a replacement for the “healthy” instant oatmeal.

Instant oatmeal is a fast, convenient breakfast. However, the ingredients are awful for you. These so-called heart-healthy breakfasts are just as bad for you as donuts or soda for breakfast. They are loaded with added sugars and natural flavors. The oats are stripped of their nutrients during processing, and most are genetically modified.

Sorry, I used to love the convenient oatmeal too. I thought I was doing so good, getting more fiber and eating whole grains. It wasn’t until we really started looking at added sugars and other questionable ingredients did we realized how bad our food is.

What’s in this super easy, super tasty breakfast?

Barley is a fiber and phytonutrient-rich grain. It helps you feel full longer, is heart-healthy, and has immune-boosting properties. It can improve digestion. Just ¼ cup of Barely gives you 8 grams of fiber. That’s 33% of the recommended daily fiber intake. 1 cup gives you 32 grams of fiber!

Canned pumpkin is low in natural sugars but sweet in taste, loaded with vitamins, and adds more plants to your diet. We all know how important it is to eat more fruits and vegetables. Plus, the pumpkin makes this barley creamy and delicious.

Cinnamon and nutmeg are naturally sweet. Play with these spices to see how much maple syrup you need in this breakfast. These spices are also anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich. Yay! For more real food power!

Milk with the pumpkin creates a custard-like porridge. You can use any milk or water in this breakfast. We like whole milk the best.

Real Maple Syrup has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar. It also has several micro-nutrients

I like to taste the porridge in the morning and add the syrup based on how sweet we need it. We also love to add chopped pecans. They add a yummy crunch to this tasty breakfast.

Ingredients

• 3/4 C barley
• 3 C milk or coconut milk for a dairy-free option
• 1 C pumpkin
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 2 Tbl maple syrup
• *Optional ½ c chopped pecans for topping each bowl

Instructions

Place all ingredients except the maple syrup into a slow cooker. Cook on the lowest setting overnight.

In the morning stir barley, add maple syrup to taste, and chopped pecans. Pour into 4 bowls for serving.

Notes

I like to taste the porridge in the morning and add the syrup based on how sweet we need it. We also love to add chopped pecans. They add a yummy crunch to this tasty breakfast.

If you’re as pumpkin-obsessed as I am, here are a few more cozy creations you might love:

• My favorite pumpkin recipes
• Pumpkin Muffins
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Pumpkin Almond Bread
• Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake
• Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

Looking for More Cozy Breakfast Ideas?

Try this sweet and spiced Apple Barley Porridge. Perfect for weekend mornings or gentle meal prep.

Whether you’re savoring this pumpkin barley porridge on a crisp fall morning or just need a cozy breakfast hug in a bowl, I hope it brings a little warmth to your day. It’s become a favorite in our house, and I’d love to know what you think!

“Breakfast is the foundation for a successful day.” – Unknown

As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations!