Chunky Pumpkin Spice Granola is simple to make, requiring just 8 ingredients. Loaded with toasted oats, pecans, sliced almonds and pepita seeds. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
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Clearly I have a thing for Pumpkin, (Exhibit A, B and C).
I know, I know... I should cool it with the pumpkin and you know, make real food. The kind that my family can actually eat for dinner.
Buuuuut... Fall. Baking. It just makes you feel so domestic. Not to mention, it makes your house smell delicious. Plus, let's be completely serious, nobody will be complaining about all the pumpkin-y baked things hanging all around the house. Hey, it's a 1 month 3 month season, ya gotta take full advantage!
This Chunky Pumpkin Spice Granola in all of it's sweet, crumbly, crunchy glory is a great substitute for it's store-bought counterpart. Most pre-packaged granola options are loaded with all sorts of sugars, flavorings and heavily-processed and refined oils.
Granola is the type of food that that reminds you how important checking the label is when you purchase ready-made food. The packaging often advertises all sorts of health "benefits", but the ingredient list isn't always as amazing as the claim. If you go store-bought, make sure to purchase an option with a short ingredient list that is filled with simple pronounceable ingredients that you could find in your pantry at home. These options do exist. In fact, stores are bringing in more and more real-food convenience options constantly. That said, granola can be pricy (and rightfully so... quality nuts, seeds, etc. are pricy). For this reason, I prefer to make my own when I have the time and this pumpkin spice variety is the epitome of all the cozy Fall feelings baking.
It's deceivingly simple (seriously, I threw this together in about 5 minutes) and inarguably more cost effective. Added bonus.. baking granola makes your house smell AMAZING! It can keep in the freezer for a good amount of time, although it typically doesn't hang around long enough to warrant fancy storage techniques!
Time Saving Tips and Tricks:
Prep: The dry ingredients can be mixed weeks in advance. When making the granola save yourself time and double the dry ingredients. Use half and store the rest in a sealed container in the pantry. When you are ready to make granola again you just have to add the wet ingredients, mix it all up and bake.
Make Ahead: Granola will keep 1-2 weeks in a sealed container. If refrigerated you can get a little extra time. It is perfect to have on hand for snacks, yogurt parfaits, muffin toppings, etc.
Freezer: Pumpkin spice granola is the perfect quintessential freezer food. Double the batch. Use half and store the rest in a sealed ziplock bag in the freezer. It will safely store for 1-3 months. Bust it out in January, when pumpkin season is just a distant fond memory.
Chunky Pumpkin Spice Granola
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Fall Baking
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free if necessary)
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup pepita seeds
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, pulse the pecans until they are broken up, but not the texture of flour. Add the oats and salt and pulse 10-15 times.
- Transfer the oat mixture into a medium bowl and stir in the almonds and pepita seeds. Add maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice. Stir until combined. Add the coconut oil. Stir.
- Pour the granola onto parchment paper lined baking sheet. Press into a thin layer making sure that there are no holes where the parchment paper shows. It will look like a sheet of granola bars. This is what makes it chunky.
- Bake 12-15 minutes, until the edges are slightly browned. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for at least 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes are up, break up the granola with your hands into whatever size chunks you desire. If the bottom of the granola is still moist, flip the pieces and allow it to cool additional time. Store it in an airtight container for two to three weeks.
Notes
- Don't go out and buy pecans specifically for the recipe, use what you have (other than peanuts). Walnuts, almonds, cashews.. it's all great!
- Coconut oil can be solid or liquid depending on it's temperature. If yours is in solid form, pop it into the microwave or onto the stove for a bit and it will liquify.
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Kimberly Pierce says
Hi! Sounds awesome. Do you have suggestions for alternatives to tree nuts? Peanuts and... Suggestions, please. 🙂
Bailey Sissom says
Hi Kimberly:) Traditionally when I am trying to make a recipe nut free I substitute some type of seed (i.e pepita, sunflower, etc.). I haven't tried it with this recipe, but granola is pretty "unfussy" I would guess that it would work just fine.
Kimberly says
Thanks! I will let you know when I make it if it works out okay. 🙂
MBerg says
So glad to have found your blog! I am a pumpkin lover and Fall season fan, in general, so I LOVE your recipes and this granola recipe is exactly what I've been looking for! Grateful for your passion to share your talents!
★★★★★
Bailey Sissom says
Pumpkin season is definitely the best! Thank you for your kinds words.
Roosemary says
Do you know how many carbs would be in a 1/2 of a cup of the granola? Is there anyway that this could be made sugar free with using less maple syrup or other liquid sweetener?
sounds yummy as I really love pumpkin but have to watch the carbs since I'm Diabetic.
★★★★★
Bailey Sissom says
I Roosemary. Unfortunately I don't have the nutrition information for the granola. With that said.. I am sure that the sugar content (although not refined) is not low. As much as I would love for you to give my recipe a shot, it might be easier to run a quick google search on "low-sugar granola." Hope this is helpful.
Rosemary Lare says
Thank you for your help.
Lois Lower says
Do you have a recipe for the pumkin spice mix as I live in New Zealand and I am into pumkins but we are not able to purchase this spice mix here. Thanks
Bailey Sissom says
Hi Lois! Sure:) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves. I would triple or even quadruple this recipe so as to have extra next time you need some pumpkin pie spice!
Dianna | Chard in Charge says
YUM! I love pumpkin spiced granola - a staple this time of year in our house! PS you are killing it with the videos, girl! XO
Bailey Sissom says
It's definitely a staple around here too! You are too sweet. I'm working on them.. LOTS to learn!
Lynne says
Instead of Coconut oil can safflower or canola or olive oil work too?
Bailey Sissom says
I haven't tried it, but I don't think it would be a problem! If you try it.. report back!! I'm sure if you are curious, others are as well!