Cozy Crunch: Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe
Get ready for a new favourite breakfast recipe: Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola. Fall is my favourite time of year because it means it is finally acceptable to make everything pumpkin-flavoured! From pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin spice granola, my house is full of it, and my kids, my husband, and I happily devour it all. There’s just something about the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin spice wafting through the kitchen that makes our home feel extra cozy.
As a mom and a holistic nutritionist, I’ve created my own family traditions that celebrate pumpkin in a nourishing way, with recipes that deliver all the flavour and nostalgia without sacrificing the nutrients we need to stay energized during this busy fall season.
This Pumpkin Spice Granola is one of our favourites. It is so easy to make, sweetened naturally and packed with nutrient-dense ingredients that taste like fall in every bite. This recipe gives you 7 cups of granola, giving you enough for the whole week to add to chia pudding, Greek yogurt, or maybe even a crunchy topping on dessert. Made with natural and nutrient-packed ingredients, this pumpkin spice granola is going to spook your socks off.
Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe
Gluten-free & Vegan
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 50 minutes| Serving size: 7 cups
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups rolled gluten-free oats
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup raw pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ tsp salt
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 250°F.
- Whisk together the maple syrup, pumpkin puree, coconut oil and vanilla. You may have to gently heat the mixture to ensure the coconut oil stays melted and everything combines well.
- In a very large bowl, combine oats, pumpkin seeds, pecans, coconut flakes and pumpkin pie spice and salt.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the Pumpkin Spice Granola onto one or two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until golden brown. If you are using two baking sheets, rotate the rack it is sitting on each time you stir.
- When the granola is golden brown, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 20 minutes so it stiffens. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month.
What’s really in your store-bought granola?
I don’t think I know one person who doesn’t like granola… I mean, it’s crunchy, sweet and can be used as a topping for so many meals. Most store-bought granolas might seem like a healthier option, but if you take a quick glance at the ingredient list, you may be shocked. They are typically filled with refined sugar, artificial flavours, preservatives, damaged oils and non-organic ingredients. Some can even pack as much sugar per serving as a dessert, which, if you’re eating in the morning or as a ‘healthy snack’, you will be falling asleep mid-afternoon due to that huge blood sugar crash. Brands also like to add dried fruits or chocolate chips, which are often coated in extra sugar.
Not only that, but they are SO expensive in the grocery store. This is one of those things that is 100% cheaper to make at home; all the ingredients are pantry staples that you can reuse for so many of my recipes. According to experts, store-bought granola is in the same category as breakfast cereals, which I hope we all know by now is not the most nutritious breakfast for you or your children.
By making your own granola at home, you control exactly what goes in, from the type of sweetener to the quality of grains, nuts, seeds or anything you want to add. This will result in a much fresher, more nutritious granola that actually fuels your body rather than sneaking in hidden ingredients, leaving you wondering what you’re doing wrong if you’re being convinced you’re eating ‘healthy’.
Health Benefits of Oats
I’m sure you’ve seen many recipes for healthy snacks and desserts that use oats… but have you ever wondered what’s so great about them?
- Full of Fibre: Oats are packed with soluble fibre (mostly beta-glucan), which supports your digestive system and promotes beneficial gut bacteria.
- Heart Health: The beta-glucan is known to lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Blood Sugar Balance: With the fibre and complex carbs, oats digest more slowly, allowing you to have steady energy throughout the day
- Nutrient Rich: Oats provide manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc and B vitamins
Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds may be tiny, but they are mighty when it comes to health. These little seeds can be used in so many ways. Try adding them to your morning yogurt, tossing them into a salad, or mixing them into granola. Pumpkin seeds are an easy way to add both crunch and powerful nutrients to your day!
- Protein: They are an amazing source of plant-based protein with about 7-9g per serving (¼ cup)!
- Heart Health: They are packed with magnesium, which is so good for our hearts, regulating blood pressure, and keeps our nerves and muscles working properly.
- Zinc for Immunity: These seeds are full of zinc, which supports your immune system, helps with wound healing and can promote healthy skin.
- Antioxidants: They are rich in Vitamin E and protect your cells from oxidative stress.
- Sleep Support: They provide the body with tryptophan, which is an amino acid that supports the production of our sleep hormones and neurotransmitters, serotonin and melatonin.
Try These Pumpkin Recipes Next
Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte
Today I learned that Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte has 50g of sugar in just ONE cup! That is more than enough sugar for the whole day in one drink. Switching things like this to be homemade is such a good decision. It’s so easy and so much better for your health. Made with almond milk, dandelion root as a coffee replacement, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and some fall spices, you’ll be sure to skip the drive-thru this fall season.
Coconut Pumpkin Smoothie
Who wouldn’t want to start their morning with a smooth, rich smoothie that tastes just like pumpkin pie? This smoothie is fast and easy to make, but still comes with the sweet, warming flavours of fall. High in protein and fibre, meaning that you will stay satiated throughout the morning and won’t have that afternoon sugar crash.
Coconut Pumpkin Pie
Now for the real deal, the perfect way to end your huge, delicious Thanksgiving dinner! This Coconut Pumpkin Pie uses healthier substitutions like coconut milk instead of heavy cream and coconut sugar instead of white sugar. It definitely does not lose that decadent pumpkin flavour. These substitutions add a little bit of a coconut flavour, which will leave your guests both surprised and delighted.
