Welcome the cozy flavors of autumn into your kitchen with this delightful Pumpkin Granola. Crafted from a harmonious blend of creamy pumpkin puree and wholesome pumpkin seeds, this recipe combines hearty oats, natural maple syrup, crunchy toasted pecans, chewy dried cranberries, and an aromatic medley of warm spices. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and offers a versatile treat perfect for snacking, a nutritious breakfast, or elegantly layering into parfaits.
Unlocking the Aroma of Homemade Pumpkin Granola
Before you dive into baking, understand the delightful texture this Pumpkin Granola offers. It’s designed to have a light, cereal-like consistency, ideal for sprinkling over yogurt or enjoying with milk. While you’ll encounter a few satisfying small clusters, the granola primarily maintains a loose, crumbly texture that makes it incredibly easy to eat.
The pumpkin puree in this recipe is more than just a binder; it infuses the granola with a delicate, authentic pumpkin essence. Unlike the bold, pronounced flavor of a traditional Pumpkin Pie, this granola offers a subtle, comforting hint of pumpkin, perfectly balanced by classic fall spices. Each bite provides a gentle reminder of the season, creating a truly unique and irresistible treat.
Why Homemade Granola Is Always a Better Choice
In a world full of convenience, opting for homemade granola might seem like an extra step, but the benefits far outweigh the effort. When you make granola from scratch, you gain complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a healthier and more personalized product. Commercial granolas often contain excessive sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives. By making your own, you choose high-quality, natural ingredients like pure maple syrup, wholesome oats, and fresh pumpkin puree.
Beyond health benefits, there’s an unparalleled sense of satisfaction and a wonderful aroma that fills your home during baking. Homemade granola is also incredibly cost-effective in the long run, allowing you to enjoy a premium product without the premium price tag. Plus, the ability to customize flavors and add-ins means every batch can be a new adventure, tailored precisely to your family’s preferences. Experience the difference in taste, texture, and nutritional value that only homemade can offer.
The Secret to Perfect Pumpkin Granola: Ingredients and Preparation
Crafting this Pumpkin Granola is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few basic kitchen tools. You’ll need two mixing bowls – one large for your dry ingredients and a smaller one for the wet – along with a reliable parchment-lined baking sheet. This ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking.
Gathering Your Dry Essentials
Start with the foundation of your granola. In your large mixing bowl, combine the robust base ingredients: old-fashioned rolled oats for a hearty chew, nutrient-rich wheat germ for added crunch and nutrition, lightly packed light brown sugar for a touch of sweetness, raw pepitas (hulless pumpkin seeds) for their distinct texture and flavor, a pinch of kosher salt to enhance all the flavors, and a fragrant blend of ground spices, specifically cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, which are the quintessential flavors of fall.
Did you know? Wheat germ is the most nutrient-dense part of the wheat kernel, responsible for sprouting new wheat plants. It’s a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and boasts a delightful, naturally nutty flavor. Incorporating it into granola not only boosts its nutritional profile but also contributes a fantastic fine crunch when baked, adding a unique textural dimension to your homemade treat.
Mixing the Wet Ingredients for Flavor and Adhesion
In the smaller bowl, whisk together your liquid components. This includes pure pumpkin puree (ensure it’s not pumpkin pie mix, which contains added sugars and spices), a neutral-flavored oil such as grapeseed or canola to help with crisping, authentic pure maple syrup for natural sweetness and a distinct fall flavor, and aromatic pure vanilla extract. This blend will beautifully coat your dry ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of flavor and a perfectly crunchy texture.
Combining and Baking for Golden Perfection
Once your wet ingredients are thoroughly combined, pour this fragrant mixture into the large bowl with your dry ingredients. Gently stir everything together until all the dry components are uniformly moistened. Make sure there are no dry pockets left, ensuring every flake and seed is coated. Next, fold in the halved raw pecans, adding another layer of texture and nutty flavor. Spread the entire granola mixture evenly onto your prepared baking sheet, creating a single layer to promote consistent baking and crisping.
Bake your granola in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) on the middle rack for approximately 35-40 minutes. The goal is a beautiful golden-brown color and an intoxicating fragrance that signals its readiness. About halfway through the baking process, remove the pan from the oven and give the granola a good stir. This crucial step ensures that all sides of the granola toast evenly, preventing the edges from browning too quickly while the center remains undercooked. The stirring promotes uniform crispness throughout.
A key tip: The granola will appear soft and pliable when you first remove it from the oven, but don’t fret—it achieves its signature crispness only as it cools completely to room temperature. The deeper golden color it attains in the oven directly correlates to how crunchy it will be once cooled. For those who prefer an extra-crispy granola, you can extend the baking time by a few minutes, but maintain a watchful eye to prevent any burning. Once fully cooled, mix in the vibrant dried cranberries, which add a lovely tart contrast, and prepare to indulge!
Endless Possibilities: Variations and Substitutions for Your Pumpkin Granola
One of the most rewarding aspects of making homemade granola is the incredible flexibility it offers for customization. Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, you can easily adapt it to suit your taste preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some creative ideas to inspire your next batch:
- Pumpkin-Raisin Granola: For a different kind of fruity sweetness, simply swap out the dried cranberries for an equal amount of mixed raisins. We particularly love a medley of golden, crimson, flame, and Thomson varieties for a diverse flavor profile. Dried currants also make a wonderful substitute, offering a smaller, tangier bite.
- Pumpkin-Honey Granola: If you prefer the distinct flavor of honey, you can replace the maple syrup entirely. Honey adds its own unique depth and aroma. Keep in mind that some honey varieties can be quite sweet, so you might consider reducing the brown sugar to about 1/4 cup to maintain a balanced sweetness.
- Pumpkin-Coconut Granola: Introduce a tropical twist by stirring in 1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes along with the pecans. The coconut toasts beautifully in the oven, adding a delightful aroma and chewy texture.
- Pumpkin-Chocolate Granola: For the ultimate indulgence, once your granola has cooled completely, mix in 1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite chocolate chips. Dark, milk, or white chocolate chips all work wonderfully. Mini chips are often a family favorite, as they distribute more evenly throughout the granola, ensuring chocolate in every bite!
- Different Nut Varieties: Pecans are fantastic, but feel free to experiment with other nuts. Halved walnuts offer a slightly more bitter, earthy flavor, while whole raw almonds provide a firmer crunch. Cashews or chopped hazelnuts could also be delicious. If you opt for more delicate nuts like sliced almonds, add them during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent them from burning, as they toast much faster.
- Spices Galore: While our recipe uses individual ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, you can easily substitute these with 1-1/2 teaspoons of your preferred pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice blend for convenience and a consistent flavor profile. Feel free to adjust the amount to your desired intensity.
The beauty of this homemade Pumpkin Granola is truly in its adaptability. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different mix-ins and flavor combinations. Have fun making this recipe uniquely yours, discovering your new favorite seasonal granola blend!
Serving and Storing Your Delicious Pumpkin Granola
Proper storage is key to maintaining the delightful crunch and fresh flavor of your homemade Pumpkin Granola. Given that this recipe contains wheat germ, which can sometimes reduce shelf life if not stored correctly, I recommend keeping it in an airtight jar or container. Store it at room temperature in a cool, dark place, such as your pantry, where it will remain fresh for up to one week. For extended enjoyment, this granola freezes beautifully for up to three months in an airtight container – though, in our household, it rarely lasts that long!
This versatile Pumpkin Granola offers countless ways to enjoy its autumnal flavors. Here are some of our family’s favorite methods:
- A Wholesome Snack: Enjoy it straight from the jar, by the handful. It’s the perfect quick pick-me-up during busy fall afternoons or when you need a little energy boost.
- Over Creamy Greek Yogurt: One of my absolute favorite fall breakfasts! Sprinkle a generous amount over plain Greek yogurt, perhaps with an extra drizzle of maple syrup for added sweetness.
- Layered into Parfaits: Create stunning and delicious parfaits using maple or vanilla-flavored yogurts, or even pumpkin-flavored yogurts, layered with your homemade granola. It’s a fantastic idea for a festive fall breakfast, a light dessert, or a satisfying snack.
- As a Simple Cereal: For a quick and easy breakfast, serve it with your choice of milk or a non-dairy milk alternative, just like your favorite store-bought cereal.
- Topping for Baked Fruits: Sprinkle it generously over warm baked apples or pears. The granola adds a wonderful crunchy finish and a burst of spice that complements the soft fruit perfectly.
- Over Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt: On those unexpectedly warm fall days when the calendar says autumn but the temperature feels like summer, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt topped with this granola is an absolute treat.
- A Seasonal Cheesecake Topping: Elevate my No-Bake Cheesecake Cups by using apple pie filling as the bottom layer and replacing the traditional graham cracker crumble with this spiced pumpkin granola for a delightful seasonal twist.
More Irresistible Snacks to Savor By the Handful
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of this Pumpkin Granola, you’ll be thrilled to discover other equally satisfying grab-and-go snacks. These recipes are perfect for keeping your pantry stocked with wholesome, flavorful treats that are always ready when hunger strikes:
- Cherry Almond Granola: A vibrant and fruity alternative, perfect for a different flavor profile.
- Caramelized Pecans: Sweet and crunchy, these are dangerously addictive.
- Spicy Mixed Nuts: For those who crave a savory kick, these are a fantastic party appetizer or snack.
- Spiced Pepitas: A simple yet flavorful snack that celebrates the humble pumpkin seed.
Discover More Delicious Recipes Using Pumpkin Puree
Don’t let that can of pumpkin puree sit idle after making this granola! Pumpkin is an incredibly versatile ingredient, lending its unique flavor and moist texture to a wide array of sweet and savory dishes. Explore these other fantastic recipes that brilliantly showcase pumpkin puree, perfect for any fall occasion or simply to enjoy its comforting taste year-round:
- Pumpkin Spice Syrup for Coffee: Elevate your morning coffee with homemade pumpkin spice syrup.
- Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate: A comforting and rich beverage, ideal for chilly evenings.
- Pumpkin Bundt Cake: A show-stopping dessert that’s moist, flavorful, and perfect for gatherings.
- Pumpkin Bread with Crumb Topping: A classic fall quick bread, made even better with a sweet, crunchy crumb topping.
Pumpkin Granola
Amanda Biddle
20 minutes
40 minutes
30 minutes
1 hour 30 minutes
12 servings (1/2 cup)
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup wheat germ
- ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- ½ cup raw pepitas (hulless pumpkin seeds)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
- ¼ cup neutral flavored oil (such as grapeseed or canola)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup halved raw pecans
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160°C). Line a rimmed half-sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, stir together oats, wheat germ, light brown sugar, pepitas, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla. Stir wet ingredients into the oat mixture until fully distributed and no dry pockets remain.
- Stir pecan halves into the granola mixture and spread onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the granola is light golden brown and fragrant. Keep a close eye toward the end of the baking time so the granola doesn’t burn. (The granola will not be crisp when you take it out of the oven, but will crisp as it cools.)
- Let granola stand at room temperature until completely cooled. Stir in dried cranberries.
- For the freshest flavor and texture, store the granola tightly covered at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Notes
To explore different ways to customize this recipe and make it your own, see the “Variations and Substitutions” section above.
Nutrition Estimate
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking.
This delightful Pumpkin Granola recipe was first shared on Striped Spatula in September 2018, bringing fall flavors to kitchens everywhere.