Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola: Your Ultimate Fall Breakfast and Snack
As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting embrace of fall flavors. And at the heart of autumnal coziness lies pumpkin spice. Forget store-bought options filled with artificial ingredients; this homemade pumpkin spice granola is the quintessential “it girl” make-ahead vegan and gluten-free breakfast and snack that perfectly captures the essence of the season.
Crafted with a blend of wholesome pantry staples such as hearty oats, nutrient-rich nuts, and diverse seeds, this granola offers a delightful crunch and satisfying texture. It’s lightly sweetened with pure maple syrup and infused with just the right touch of pumpkin pie spice, delivering a subtle yet undeniable taste of fall. Imagine waking up to a bowl of this golden goodness, or enjoying it as a wholesome snack during those cozy evenings by the fireplace. This recipe is designed not only for flavor but also for flexibility, allowing you to create perfect clusters or smaller, easily dispersed pieces, whatever your heart desires for a truly satisfying experience.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola
- Ingredient Spotlight: What Makes This Granola So Good?
- Don’t Waste a Drop: Creative Uses for Leftover Pumpkin Puree
- Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Perfect Pumpkin Spice Granola
- Debra’s Expert Tips for Granola Success
- Versatile Ways to Enjoy Your Homemade Granola
- Proper Storage for Lasting Freshness
- Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Spice Granola
- Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe Card
Why This Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola is a Must-Try
If you’re looking for a breakfast or snack that’s both delicious and nutritious, this pumpkin spice granola ticks all the boxes. It’s perfect for the autumn and winter months, providing warmth and comfort in every bite. Here’s why this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen:
- Wholesome & Healthy: Made with natural, unrefined ingredients, this granola is packed with fiber, healthy fats, and protein to keep you energized.
- Vegan & Gluten-Free Friendly: Using certified gluten-free oats and plant-based ingredients, it caters to various dietary needs without compromising on taste.
- Customizable Crunch: Whether you prefer substantial granola clusters or smaller, looser pieces, you have complete control over the texture. Just break it up to your desired size after baking!
- Effortless Meal Prep: This recipe is designed to be made ahead, making your busy mornings a breeze. Prepare a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week or month.
- Perfect Fall Flavors: The aromatic blend of pumpkin puree and warm spices creates an irresistible taste that evokes the cozy spirit of fall. It’s like autumn in a bowl!
- Versatile Use: Enjoy it with milk, yogurt, as a topping for desserts, or simply by the handful as a satisfying snack.
Ingredient Spotlight: What Makes This Granola So Good?
The beauty of this pumpkin spice granola lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and nutrition.
The Dry Ingredients: Foundation of Flavor and Crunch
- Old-Fashioned Oats: These provide the primary structure and chewiness of the granola. Rolled oats are preferred over instant oats for their texture and ability to absorb moisture without becoming mushy. Ensure they are certified gluten-free if catering to dietary restrictions.
- Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas): Offering a distinct nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch, pumpkin seeds are also a fantastic source of magnesium, zinc, and healthy fats.
- Walnuts: These contribute a rich, earthy flavor and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. You can use walnut pieces to save time and money, as they will be broken down during baking anyway. Other great nut options include pecans or almonds.
- Uncooked Quinoa: Adding a unique textural element and a boost of complete protein, uncooked quinoa gets delightfully toasty and crunchy when baked, enhancing the overall complexity of the granola.
- Ground Flax: A powerhouse of omega-3s and fiber, ground flaxseed acts as a binding agent, helping to create those desirable clusters while adding nutritional value.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: This is where the magic happens! My homemade pumpkin pie spice blend is a robust mix typically containing cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and a hint of black pepper. Using a homemade blend allows you to control the freshness and intensity of the spices, often being more cost-effective than pre-made store versions. The warm, aromatic profile is essential for that quintessential fall taste.
- Sea Salt: A crucial ingredient that balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors, preventing the granola from tasting bland.
The Wet Ingredients: Bringing it All Together
- Canned Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient, it provides moisture, flavor, and a beautiful golden color. Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which is already sweetened and spiced.
- Tahini: While peanut or almond butter can work, tahini (sesame paste) offers a uniquely earthy and slightly savory flavor profile. More importantly, its runny consistency is ideal for evenly coating the dry ingredients, promoting excellent cluster formation. It’s also a great nut-free alternative for those with allergies.
- Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that adds depth of flavor, complementing the pumpkin and spices perfectly. Its sticky nature helps bind the granola. This recipe is designed to be more savory than overtly sweet, so if you prefer a sweeter granola, consider adding a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips or a handful of raisins after baking.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the overall aroma and flavor, adding a layer of warmth and sweetness without additional sugar.
Don’t Waste a Drop: Creative Uses for Leftover Pumpkin Puree
A standard can of pumpkin puree contains approximately 1.5 cups, but this delicious granola recipe only calls for ½ cup. Don’t let the remainder languish in the back of your fridge! Pumpkin puree is incredibly versatile, and here are some fantastic ideas to ensure none of it goes to waste:
- Pumpkin Spice Bliss Balls: These no-bake energy bites are a perfect use for another ½ cup of pumpkin. You could even make a double batch of these delightful treats, as they store beautifully in the freezer for quick, healthy snacks.
- Vegan Pumpkin Bread: If you have 1 cup of pumpkin puree left, whip up a comforting loaf of vegan pumpkin bread. It’s a fantastic recipe for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
- Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins: Similarly, 1 cup of canned pumpkin puree is ideal for making a batch of healthy, gluten-free almond flour pumpkin muffins. Perfect for school lunches or a grab-and-go breakfast.
- Triple Batch of Granola: An excellent option is to simply use the entire can of pumpkin puree by making a triple batch of this very granola! This is fantastic for holiday gifting or stocking up your pantry. Parcel it out into cute jars tied with a festive ribbon to create thoughtful hostess gifts for holiday parties, or as a much-appreciated homemade present for teachers, perhaps with an attached gift card.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Perfect Pumpkin Spice Granola
Making homemade granola is surprisingly simple, and this recipe breaks it down into easy, manageable steps. Follow these instructions to achieve perfectly crunchy, flavorful pumpkin spice granola every time.
Preparation is Key
Begin by preheating your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper. This step is crucial for preventing sticking and ensuring easy cleanup.
Combining the Dry Ingredients
In a spacious medium-sized bowl, combine all your dry ingredients: old-fashioned oats, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, uncooked quinoa, ground flax, pumpkin pie spice, and sea salt.
Mix them thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly dispersed. This ensures that every bite of your granola will have a consistent flavor, especially the spices.
Mixing the Wet Ingredients
Using a glass measuring cup, precisely measure out your wet ingredients: pumpkin puree, tahini, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. This ensures accuracy for the perfect consistency.
Stir these wet ingredients together until they form a uniform texture and color. This liquid mixture will bind your dry ingredients and infuse them with rich pumpkin spice flavor.
Uniting Wet and Dry
Carefully pour the vibrant pumpkin mixture over the prepared dry ingredients in the bowl. Ensure it’s evenly distributed to start.
Mix everything thoroughly. Use a sturdy spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, ensuring all the dry ingredients are fully coated and blended with the wet mixture. This step is key for cluster formation.
Baking for Golden Perfection
Transfer the sticky granola mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. It might look like a heap, but you’ll spread it out next.
With slightly wet hands, gently press and spread the granola mixture into a thin, even layer across the entire baking tray. This thin layer is crucial for even baking and achieving maximum crispiness.
Bake in your preheated 300-degree F oven for approximately 50 minutes. The low and slow baking process is essential for drying out the granola and making it perfectly crunchy without burning. Around the 25-minute mark, check on your granola. If the edges are browning too quickly, you can gently stir it to promote even cooking, though for large clusters, you might want to avoid too much stirring.
After 50 minutes, the granola should be dried out and a beautiful golden brown. The color can vary slightly based on your oven, so keep an eye on it.
Check the center of the pan to ensure it’s not still moist. If it is, break the granola into smaller clusters with a wooden spoon and return it to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until fully cooked through and crispy.
Cooling and Storing Your Granola
Allow the granola to cool completely on the baking sheet. This is a critical step for achieving maximum crispiness. As it cools, it will harden and form those satisfying clusters. Once cooled, transfer it to airtight containers.
Serve your freshly baked granola with your milk of choice, as a standalone snack, or use it as a crunchy topping for yogurt, smoothie bowls, or even ice cream. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Debra’s Expert Tips for Granola Success
To ensure your homemade pumpkin spice granola turns out perfectly crunchy, flavorful, and exactly to your liking, here are some pro tips from Debra:
- Save Money on Nuts: Instead of buying whole walnuts, opt for walnut pieces. They are often less expensive and will save you the time and effort of chopping them yourself, as they’ll break up during mixing and baking anyway.
- Thin and Even Layer for Maximum Crunch: Always spread your granola mixture in as thin and even a layer as possible on the baking sheet. This ensures uniform drying and browning, leading to crispier granola. Check the granola midway through baking; if you notice any particularly moist spots, gently stir those areas to expose them to more heat, then redistribute the granola.
- Cool Completely for Best Texture: Patience is a virtue, especially with granola! Allow your granola to cool completely on the baking sheet without touching it. It might feel soft right out of the oven, but it will crisp up significantly as it cools. Breaking it apart too early can hinder cluster formation.
- Elevate with Toppings: Take your homemade granola to the next level with delicious toppings. Consider chopped apples or pears for a fresh crunch, roasted or raw figs for sweetness, any type of berries for a burst of flavor, or a handful of mini chocolate chips (added after cooling) for a delightful indulgence.
- Homemade Gifts from the Heart: This granola makes for truly appreciated homemade gifts. Once cooled, transfer it to attractive glass containers or mason jars and tie them with a festive ribbon. They’re perfect as thoughtful hostess gifts for holiday parties or as special presents for teachers, especially when paired with a small gift card. Homemade gifts always convey warmth and care!
Versatile Ways to Enjoy Your Homemade Granola
Once your pumpkin spice granola is baked to golden perfection and cooled, the ways to enjoy it are endless. Its delightful crunch and warm flavors make it a versatile addition to many meals and snacks:
- Classic Breakfast Bowl: Serve it with your favorite milk – dairy, almond, oat, or soy – for a quick, satisfying breakfast. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or a swirl of plant-based yogurt for extra creaminess and protein.
- Yogurt Parfaits: Layer granola with yogurt and fresh fruits like sliced bananas, berries, or chopped apples for a beautiful and nutritious parfait.
- Smoothie Bowl Topping: Add a generous sprinkle of granola to your morning smoothie bowl for an irresistible crunch and added texture.
- Ice Cream or Dessert Topping: Transform a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or a baked apple into an autumnal delight with a handful of crunchy pumpkin spice granola.
- On-the-Go Snack: Pack a small portion in a reusable bag for a healthy and energizing snack during work, school, or outdoor adventures.
- As an Ingredient: Crush it lightly and use it as a crunchy topping for muffins or quick breads before baking, or mix it into energy bars for added flavor and texture.
Proper Storage for Lasting Freshness
To maintain the optimal crunch and flavor of your homemade pumpkin spice granola, proper storage is essential. Once completely cooled, transfer your granola to an airtight container. A large mason jar, a sealed plastic container, or a ceramic canister works perfectly.
- Room Temperature: Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, your granola will stay fresh and crunchy for up to one month.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the granola in a freezer-safe, airtight container or bag for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply take out the desired amount and let it come to room temperature. It thaws quickly and retains its crispness beautifully.
Making a double or triple batch and freezing portions is an excellent strategy for meal prep, ensuring you always have a healthy, delicious breakfast or snack ready when hunger strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Spice Granola
- Q: Can I substitute the maple syrup with another sweetener?
- A: Yes, you can. Agave nectar or brown rice syrup are good vegan alternatives that will provide a similar binding quality and sweetness. Honey also works if you’re not strictly vegan, but it will alter the flavor slightly.
- Q: What if I don’t have tahini? Can I use a different nut butter?
- A: While tahini offers a unique flavor and consistency that works particularly well, you can substitute it with a runny almond butter or peanut butter. Just ensure it’s a smooth, drippy variety to help coat the dry ingredients evenly. Keep in mind that the flavor profile will change slightly.
- Q: My granola isn’t getting crunchy. What went wrong?
- A: The most common reasons for soft granola are not baking long enough, baking at too high a temperature, or not spreading it in a thin, even layer. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate and that the granola is baked until truly golden brown and dried out. Also, make sure it cools completely on the baking sheet – it crisps up as it cools!
- Q: How can I make my granola more “clumpy”?
- A: To achieve more clusters, press the wet granola mixture firmly into a thin, even layer on the baking sheet before baking. Avoid stirring it too much during the baking process. After baking, let it cool completely undisturbed on the tray. Once cold, you can break it into large chunks.
- Q: Is this granola suitable for kids?
- A: Absolutely! This homemade granola is a fantastic healthy snack for kids, packed with fiber and nutrients. You can adjust the sweetness by adding a few mini chocolate chips or dried fruit after baking, if desired, to appeal to younger palates.
Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe
Author: Debra Klein
Homemade granola with pumpkin seeds, pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice for a seriously delicious, crunchy snack! This easy pumpkin spiced granola is a fabulous fall treat, holiday gift idea or topping for ice cream and yogurt.
Quick Glance:
- Prep Time
- 10 mins
- Cook Time
- 50 mins
- Total Time
- 1 hr
- Course
- Snack, Breakfast
- Cuisine
- American
- Servings
- 16
- Calories
- 198 kcal
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Pyrex Glass Measuring Cup Set
- Mixing Bowls with Lids
- Gift Jars
Ingredients (16 servings)
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- ¾ cup walnuts
- ¾ cup quinoa, uncooked
- ½ cup ground flax
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup canned pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup tahini
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together all dry ingredients: oats, quinoa, flax, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pumpkin pie spice, and sea salt.
- Use a 2-cup glass measuring cup to combine maple syrup, pumpkin puree, tahini, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully blended.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and mix well with a spatula, ensuring all dry ingredients are thoroughly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking tray. Spread into a thin, even layer.
- Bake in the preheated 300-degree F oven for 50 minutes. Check the center of the pan to be sure it’s dried out all the way through. If not, stir to mix and crumble, then put back in the oven for 5 additional minutes.
- Let cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container. Granola will stay good at room temperature for a month. Freeze for 3 months in a freezer-safe container.
Notes
- Nuts: Use any combination of nuts/seeds for a total of 1 ¾ cups.
- Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips (add after cooling).
- Nutritional information: Calculated based on one recipe making 8 cups granola and ½ cup serving size.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 198 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0.003g
- Sodium: 78mg
- Potassium: 230mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
- Vitamin A: 1198IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 46mg
- Iron: 2mg
The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.