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This healthy and tasty pumpkin spice granola recipe is loaded with oats, quinoa, a variety of nuts and seeds and you guessed it - pumpkin pie spice, making it great for a fall snack.
This recipe is dedicated to all pumpkin lovers out there, which seems to be quite a few of you. It happens to be one of my go-to pumpkin inspired recipes as well as pumpkin oatmeal muffins, pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes and baked pumpkin donuts.
I've always been a fan of homemade granola. Not only is it cheaper than what you can buy at the store, but you control the ingredients that go in it, so you can actually make it healthy without costing an arm and a leg.
Loaded with nuts, a slight sweetness and of course pumpkin pie spice, this granola gives you that pumpkin flavor you crave.
Why This Recipe Works
- Seasonal flavors - Pumpkin is often associated with fall and the holiday season, making pumpkin-flavored foods a popular choice during this time. This pumpkin granola captures the essence of autumn with its warm, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor.
- Nutrient rich - Granola typically contains a variety of nutrient-rich ingredients. With ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, this granola becomes a well-rounded snack that provides essential nutrients, including fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
- Versatile - This granola is incredibly versatile and can be used in various ways. You can enjoy it as a standalone snack, sprinkle it over yogurt or oatmeal, or even use it as a topping for desserts like ice cream or pumpkin pie.
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Ingredient Notes
- Oats - Old-fashioned oats provide a hearty texture and absorb the flavors well.
- Quinoa - Adds nutrients and helps the granola stick together.
- Nuts/Seeds - The combination of almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, pepitas and sesame seeds adds crunch and flavor. Feel free to change up the combination of nuts and seeds and lean in on your favorites.
- Sweeteners - By using coconut flakes and maple syrup, you sweeten the pumpkin granola in a healthier way.
- Coconut oil - You need fat to help coat and combine all of the ingredients. I prefer refined so the coconut flavor isn't overwhelming.
- Vanilla extract - A small amount of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the granola.
- Pumpkin pie spice - Where the pumpkin flavor comes from. Use store-bought or make your own.
- Salt - A pinch of salt is essential to balance the sweetness and enhance the other flavors in the granola.
- Dried cranberries - Dried cranberries add a tart contrast to the sweetness of the granola.
Substitutes/Add-Ins
Like any recipe, you can mix up or add more to it. Some variations include:
- Use honey or agave instead of the maple syrup.
- Vegetable or canola oil can be substitute for coconut oil.
- If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, you can use ground cinnamon as a substitute. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, and ginger for a homemade pumpkin spice blend.
- Not a fan of dried cranberries? Add raisins, dried cherries or dried apples.
- Add chocolate chips, butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips to the pumpkin spice granola after it has cooled.
Step-by-Step Photos
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Toss together the oats, quinoa, nuts, coconut and seeds to combine. Heat the wet ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat for about 2 minutes.
Mix the wet ingredients with the oats and toss to combine. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer and press down. Bake at at 325°F for 45-50 minutes, stirring in between 2-3 times.
Let cool for an hour before stirring in dried cranberries. Transfer the granola to an airtight container.
FAQs
You can actually make your own. Just use 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground clove and a ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
Granola can be a healthy option when prepared with wholesome ingredients. It includes oats, quinoa, nuts, seeds, and spices, which provide fiber, healthy fats, and essential nutrients.
However, the addition of sweeteners and dried fruits can increase its sugar content. I purposely limit both, but if you add more, the less healthy it is.
The great thing about granola is you can use it in some many other dishes, whether it is the start or complementing it. Some options include:
• Sprinkle it over yogurt, chocolate chia seed pudding or a smoothie bowl.
• Use it as a topping for oatmeal or pumpkin carrot soup.
• Enjoy it as a cereal with milk or a milk alternative.
• Pack it as a portable snack for on-the-go munching.
• Incorporate it into dessert recipes, like parfaits, ice cream sundaes or pumpkin oatmeal muffins.
To keep your granola fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the refrigerator for longer shelf life. It's important to prevent exposure to moisture and air to maintain its crispiness.
You can also place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Benefits of Oats
Anything with oats is one of the best ways to start the day. There are a ton of benefits, including:
- High in fiber, which keeps you full long
- Contain more protein than most grains
- Rich in antioxidants, which can help lower blood pressure
- Lower cholesterol
- Help lose weight
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Fat is important for granola. If you don't use it, you will just have dry oats. This recipe uses coconut oil but feel free to use vegetable or canola oil.
- Do not substitute quick cooking oats for the old-fashioned oats which this recipe calls for. If you use quick cooking oats, the cook time will be different and the texture won't be the same. Old-fashioned oats are the best for granola.
- Press down the granola before you and after you bake it. This helps with the formation of clumps.
- Do not wait until the granola is really browned when pulling out of the oven. It should just be starting to brown when you pull it out. Always err on the underdone side as the granola will continue to cook and harden as it cools.
- Add dried fruit after the granola is done cooking and cooled. If adding during cooking process it will harden to where it won't be edible.
Other Granola Recipes
If you’ve tried this pumpkin spice granola recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Pumpkin Spice Granola
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (⅓ cup uncooked)
- 2 cups mixed raw nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans and pistachios)
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 cup raw pepitas
- ⅓ cup raw sesame seeds
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss together the oats, cooked quinoa, nuts coconut, pepitas and sesame seeds to combine.
- In a small saucepan, heat the maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and salt for 2-3 minutes until everything is melded together. Pour the mixture over the oats and toss for a couple of minutes to make sure everything is fully combined.
- Spread the granola out in an even layer on baking sheet and press down with a spatula. Bake for 45-50 minutes, stirring 2-3 times, until the oats are starting to brown and smell toasted. Remove the granola from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Once slightly cooled, press the granola down to make a flat slab of granola and let cool for an hour.
- Break the granola into clusters and stir in the dried cranberries. It can be stored for 1 month.
Notes
- Fat is important for granola. If you don't use it, you will just have dry oats. This recipe uses coconut oil but feel free to use vegetable or canola oil.
- Do not substitute quick cooking oats for the old-fashioned oats which this recipe calls for. If you use quick cooking oats, the cook time will be different and the texture won't be the same. Old-fashioned oats are the best for granola.
- Press down the granola before you and after you bake it. This helps with the formation of clumps.
- Do not wait until the granola is really browned when pulling out of the oven. It should just be starting to brown when you pull it out. Always err on the underdone side as the granola will continue to cook and harden as it cools.
- Add dried fruit after the granola is done cooking and cooled. If adding during cooking process it will harden to where it won't be edible.
Yolanda says
I LOVE homemade granola! The addition of the coconut sounds amazing too. This can actually be a great DIY gift for the holidays as well, so I'm definitely going to give it a try 🙂
CrazyFitnessGuy says
I like granola too, its even better in yogurt.
Fonda @Savvy Southern Chic says
This sounds amazing! I'm sure your friends will enjoy this.
Susan Bowman says
Easy and delicious!!