Homemade Pumpkin Granola: Your Ultimate Fall Breakfast Recipe

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice filling your home. This homemade pumpkin granola captures all the quintessential flavors of autumn, delivering a delightful crunch with every spoonful. Forget store-bought versions; making your own granola from scratch is not only incredibly easy but also allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a healthier, more wholesome snack or breakfast option. This recipe is designed to be effortlessly delicious and surprisingly simple, requiring just a handful of staple ingredients.

Our star components include hearty old-fashioned oats, protein-rich pumpkin seeds, creamy cashews, and, of course, the vibrant canned pumpkin puree, all beautifully balanced with a fragrant pumpkin pie seasoning blend. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a thoughtful gift, this easy pumpkin granola recipe is sure to become a fall favorite. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will infuse your kitchen with the irresistible scents of fall – let’s make some amazing granola!

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Pumpkin Granola

Crafting this irresistible pumpkin granola requires a careful selection of ingredients that work in harmony to create its signature flavor and texture. Each component plays a vital role in making this healthy granola both delicious and nutritious.

• 1/3 cup Coconut Oil: This provides a wonderful base, helping the granola crisp up beautifully and adding a subtle richness.
• 1/2 cup Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice, maple syrup offers a depth of flavor that complements pumpkin perfectly, making this a refined sugar-free granola.
• 1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree: The star of the show! Canned pumpkin puree infuses the granola with authentic pumpkin flavor and helps create those coveted granola clusters. Ensure you’re using plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic note.
• 3 cups Old-Fashioned Oats: The foundation of our granola. Old-fashioned (rolled) oats provide a satisfying chewiness and are a fantastic source of whole grains and fiber. For a gluten-free pumpkin granola, simply use certified gluten-free oats.
• 1 1/2 cups Cashews: These add a creamy texture and a delightful crunch. Cashews are packed with healthy fats and protein. Feel free to substitute with other nuts like pecans, almonds, or walnuts for a different flavor profile.
• 1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas): A fantastic source of nutrients and a lovely textural contrast. They contribute a nutty flavor and are rich in minerals like zinc and magnesium.
• 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon: A generous amount of cinnamon is key to that classic fall aroma and taste.
• 2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Seasoning Blend: This pre-mixed blend typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice, truly bringing out the pumpkin spice granola essence.
• 1 teaspoon Salt: Don’t skip the salt! It balances the sweetness and brings out the full range of flavors in the granola.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Irresistible Pumpkin Granola

Creating your own homemade pumpkin granola is a simple and rewarding process. Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfectly crunchy, flavorful, and clumpy granola every time.

1. Prepare Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Proper preheating ensures the granola bakes evenly and crisps up correctly from the start. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This crucial step prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup, ensuring your fall granola doesn’t fuse to the pan.
2. Melt Wet Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup, and pumpkin puree. Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk continuously. The goal is to gently melt the coconut oil and fully incorporate all the ingredients, creating a smooth, warm sauce. Don’t let it boil, just heat it through until well combined. This warm mixture will coat the dry ingredients more effectively.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix together the old-fashioned oats, cashews, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, pumpkin pie seasoning blend, and salt. Ensure the spices are evenly distributed, as this will guarantee every bite of your pumpkin granola is bursting with flavor.
4. Mix Wet and Dry: Pour the warm, prepared sauce directly over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl. Using a spatula or large spoon, mix everything together until the oats, nuts, and seeds are uniformly coated. This step is key to ensuring consistent flavor and texture throughout your easy granola recipe.
5. Spread and Press for Clumps: Transfer the entire granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Using the back of your spatula, spread the mixture evenly across the pan. For those desirable granola clusters, gently press the granola down into a relatively compact layer. This compression encourages the pieces to stick together as they bake and cool.
6. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 40-45 minutes. At approximately the 20-minute mark, gently stir the granola to promote even browning, then press it back down into a compact layer. This re-pressing is vital for forming those delicious clumps! You’ll know your homemade granola is done when the edges of the oats are lightly golden brown and your kitchen is filled with an incredibly fragrant aroma. The granola will still feel slightly soft when hot, but it will crisp up as it cools.
7. Cool Completely and Store: Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the granola to cool completely on the pan without disturbing it. This cooling period is crucial for achieving maximum crispness and helping the clusters solidify. Once fully cool, break the granola into desired pieces. Transfer it to an airtight storage container. Your freshly made healthy pumpkin granola will stay fresh for up to one week. Enjoy this delightful breakfast granola straight from the jar, or use it to elevate your favorite dishes!

Why This Pumpkin Granola is a Must-Make Fall Favorite

Beyond its incredible taste and enticing aroma, this pumpkin granola offers numerous reasons to fall in love with it. It’s more than just a delicious snack; it’s a smart and wholesome choice for your pantry.

• Packed with Whole Grains: This granola is made with old-fashioned oats, which are a fantastic source of whole grains. Whole grains are rich in dietary fiber, which aids digestion, promotes satiety, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Incorporating whole grains like oats into your diet contributes to sustained energy throughout your day, making this an ideal breakfast granola. For those with sensitivities, remember to use certified gluten-free oats to make this a gluten-free granola.
• Naturally Sweetened & Refined Sugar-Free: We lightly sweeten this granola exclusively with pure maple syrup. Unlike refined sugars, maple syrup offers a rich, complex sweetness along with beneficial antioxidants and minerals. Opting for maple syrup makes this a refined sugar-free granola, a healthier alternative that won’t cause a sugar crash.
• Nutrient-Dense Goodness: This recipe is brimming with nutrient-dense foods. Pumpkin puree is a nutritional powerhouse, high in Vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), which is vital for vision and immune function. It’s also a good source of fiber and Vitamin C, plus contains beneficial antioxidants and potassium. Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) are rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, and essential minerals like zinc and magnesium. Cashews contribute healthy monounsaturated fats, protein, and various vitamins and minerals, adding to the overall nutritional value and delightful crunch. This combination makes it a truly healthy granola option.
• Versatile and Customizable: While delicious as is, this homemade pumpkin granola is incredibly versatile. After baking and cooling, you can stir in dried cranberries, raisins, chopped dates, or even dark chocolate chips for an extra treat. Different nuts or seeds can be swapped in based on your preference or what you have on hand.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Enjoy it as a standalone snack, sprinkle it over yogurt or smoothie bowls, add a handful to a bowl of milk, or use it as a crunchy topping for baked goods. It’s perfect for meal prep, providing a quick and easy option for busy mornings or afternoon hunger pangs.

If you give this delightful fall granola recipe a try, I’d absolutely love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below, rate it, or even better, snap a photo and share it on Instagram, tagging it with @TheAlexDaynes! Seeing your creations always brightens my day and inspires me. Happy baking!

Love this easy pumpkin granola recipe? Pin it to Pinterest for later!

Don’t let this amazing homemade pumpkin granola recipe slip away! Pin it to your favorite fall recipes board on Pinterest so you can easily find it whenever you’re craving that perfect autumnal crunch. It’s the ideal addition to your collection of healthy breakfast and snack ideas.