This Pumpkin Spice Granola recipe is all about bringing those cozy fall vibes right into your kitchen. As the leaves change color and the air gets a bit nippy, there’s nothing like the smell of pumpkin spice to remind you it’s fall.
This homemade granola recipe is easy to whip up and perfect for a quick breakfast or a snack on the go. Plus, it makes your whole house smell amazing, giving you a little extra push to start your day when it’s chilly outside.
Whether you’re munching on it for brekkie, as a snack, or using it to top off your desserts, this granola is the perfect homemade treat for any time of day.
When it bakes up in the oven, it turns into these awesome crunchy clusters that are just the right balance of sweetness and aromatics. It’s great for munching straight from the jar or sprinkling over salads.
And the best part? You can make it ahead of time, so you’ve always got a bit of fall ready to go whenever you need it.
Healthy Pumpkin Spice Granola – Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ideal as a hearty breakfast, a delightful snack, or even a topping for desserts, no matter the season, this pumpkin granola with its crunchy texture and pumpkin flavor is sure to be a hit.
- Sure to impress visitors with its homemade granola charm and seasonal pumpkin pie spice zest.
- Whip up a batch in no time—just 10 minutes of prep and 40 minutes in the oven, and you’ll have crunchy clusters of pumpkin granolas ready to enjoy.
- Crafted from ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, like whole rolled oats, walnuts, raw pepitas, and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and coconut oil.
- The perfect blend of traditional rolled oats, rich nuts, and a zing of spices for a comforting bite makes this pumpkin granola the best granola for a perfect fall treat.
- Add your favorite nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to make it uniquely yours, turning this granola mixture into your spin on a granola bar or loose granola.
INGREDIENTS
Unlike the traditional granola recipe, this Pumpkin Spice Granola is a charming dish to present to your loved ones, blending the simplicity of accessible ingredients with the elegance of fall flavors.
It’s the kind of recipe that invites personal touches, allowing you to tweak the mix-ins to your heart’s content.
Whether you prefer it nuttier, sweeter, or with a hint of exotic spice, this granola is a canvas for your culinary creativity.
Prep time: 10 minutes | Bake time: 40 minutes | Makes: about 2 quarts | Total time: 50 minutes
- 3 ½ cups/325g rolled oats
- ¾ cup/75g walnuts, coarsely chopped
- ¾ cups/125g raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- ½ cup/120ml maple syrup or agave syrup
- 1/3 cup/78ml coconut oil
- ½ tsp/3g salt
- 2 tsps /4g ground cinnamon*
- 1 ½ tsp/3g ground ginger*
- ½ tsp/1g ground cloves*
- ½ tsp/1g ground nutmeg*
- ¾ cups/95g dried cranberries
HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN SPICE GRANOLA
1. Preheat oven to 300°F/150 C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Combine the rolled oats, chopped walnuts, and pepitas in a large bowl. Stir to distribute.
2. In a small saucepan, heat the coconut oil and maple syrup until the coconut oil is melted. Remove from heat and whisk in salt and spices.
3. Drizzle the maple mixture evenly over the dry ingredients, ensuring everything gets a thorough coating. Gently spread the oat mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, creating a uniform layer.
4. Bake the granola without any stirring for 30-40 minutes until it achieves a beautiful golden brown hue. Upon removing it from the oven, let it cool undisturbed to encourage the formation of larger clusters. Sprinkle the cranberries onto the granola and break it into desired pieces.
Notes:
TIPS, VARIATIONS, AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Nut Options: While walnuts are a classic choice, feel free to swap them out for almonds, pecans, or any other nuts you prefer. Each brings its unique flavor and crunch to the granola mixture.
- Seed Varieties: If pepitas aren’t your thing, try sunflower seeds or chia seeds for a different twist in your pumpkin recipes.
- Oil Alternatives: Melted coconut oil gives a subtle flavor and richness, but if you’re out, or prefer something different, grapeseed oil or even olive oil can do the trick for your granola bar.
- Spice It Up: The individual spices listed can be swapped out with a pre-mixed pumpkin spice mix for convenience. Or, if you prefer, make your blend to get that perfect fall flavor in your homemade granola.
- Fruit Mix-Ins: Dried cranberries add a tart chewiness, but consider adding dried chopped apples, figs, or raisins for a different kind of sweetness in your granola clusters.
- Chocolate Twist: For a decadent touch, once your granola has cooled, toss in a handful of dark chocolate chips.
Other Pumpkin Recipes
- Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Mac n Cheese
- Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Pumpkin Spice Icing
- Roasted Pumpkin Couscous
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Homemade Pumpkin Butter
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Fresh pumpkin won’t work in this recipe as it would add too much moisture.
However, if you have leftover pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin puree, you can certainly use it by adjusting the wet ingredients to maintain the crunchier it cools texture we love.
You can cut down on the maple syrup by a few tablespoons or swap in some unsweetened apple sauce.
If you’re using coconut sugar, you might find it’s naturally less sweet than granulated or brown sugar, which could also do the trick.
Absolutely! Just omit the nuts and include more seeds like sunflower or sesame seeds, or pecans and pepitas if you’re not allergic, to keep those lovely granola clusters.
Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature to enjoy your homemade granola at its best. It’s perfect for a healthy pumpkin snack and should stay fresh for up to 10 days. You can even freeze it for longer storage.
To get that perfect crunch, bake until it’s golden, and then let it sit in the turned-off oven to crisp up as it cools. This method helps achieve those irresistible granola clusters.
For even baking, make sure to spread the granola in a thin, even layer on a baking sheet. Use two baking sheets if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking.
Don’t worry, this recipe is simple and forgiving for beginners. Just follow the recipe card exactly, and remember, even if you make granola for the first time, it’s all about personal preference — so feel free to adjust the ratio of ingredients to what tastes good to you!
If your granola isn’t as crunchy after it has cooled to room temperature, you can put it back in a low oven and let cool for a few more minutes to help it crisp up as it cools. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overbake.
Your homemade granola is a fantastic addition to so many snacks and meals. Serve it over milk or yogurt, mix it into a trail mix for a yum snack, or enjoy it by the handful — can’t stop eating it is a common reaction!
Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- 3½ cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup walnuts coarsely chopped
- ¾ cup raw pepitas
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup coconut oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon*
- 1½ tsp ground ginger*
- ½ tsp ground cloves*
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg*
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 300°F/150 C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Combine the rolled oats, chopped walnuts, and pepitas in a large bowl. Stir to distribute.
- 2. In a small saucepan, heat the coconut oil and maple syrup until the coconut oil is melted. Remove from heat and whisk in salt and spices.
- 3. Drizzle the maple mixture evenly over the dry ingredients, ensuring everything gets a thorough coating. Gently spread the oat mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, creating a uniform layer.
- 4. Bake the granola without any stirring for 30-40 minutes until it achieves a beautiful golden brown hue. Upon removing it from the oven, let it cool undisturbed to encourage the formation of larger clusters. Sprinkle the cranberries onto the granola and break it into desired pieces.