Pumpkin Spice Granola

It’s that time of the year for all things pumpkin spice! This combination of oats, pepitas, shredded coconut, pecans, maple syrup and pumpkin puree makes a yummy granola that can be eaten with vanilla yogurt or sprinkled over vanilla ice cream. And the aroma of Pumpkin Spice Granola baking in your oven will remind you that Fall has arrived once again.

Granola can sometimes be expensive to buy in the store. I like to buy some of the main ingredients in bulk and make large batches of granola, like Butter Pecan Granola, a few times each year. This saves you money and allows you to customize the granola to your liking.

Pumpkin Spice Granola has a handful of ingredients mixed with some spices and syrup and is baked in the oven. It’s quick and delicious and showcases some of my favorite Fall flavors.

Make sure your ingredients are fresh. I buy pecans, oats and maple syrup each Fall to ensure my granola and other baked items taste their best. For this recipe, I used steel-cut oats. I like the extra crunch they add when baked in granola or cookies.

What are pepitas?

Pepitas, or ‘little seeds’, are a great addition to this recipe. Pepitas are the shell-free seeds found in Styrian pumpkins. I use raw pepitas in this recipe and they become roasted and golden once baked with the oats, pecans and coconut. You can buy pepitas already roasted and salted, but you will want to add them at the end so they don’t get overdone when baking in the oven.

A quick tip about baking granola:

• Make sure that your granola is layered on the baking sheet in a thin layer. You will also need to turn or stir the granola halfway through baking. If it is too thick on the baking sheet it won’t crisp up properly and will be sticky. Spread it evenly in a layer no more than 1/2 inch thick.

For this recipe, you will need to use two baking sheets covered with parchment. Spread half of the granola on each sheet. Once baked, it makes about 10 cups of granola. This is just enough to keep some for yourself and to make up a few jars to share with friends. You can add dried cranberries to the granola once it is cooled. Fruity, sweet, salty and crunchy–yum!

Pumpkin Spice Granola

Ingredients:

• 4 cups steel-cut oats
• 1 cup raw pepitas
• 1 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 2 cups whole pecans
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups dried cranberries, optional

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine oats, pepitas and coconut in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Whisk together brown sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, syrup and oil in a medium bowl.
• Pour the pumpkin mixture over the oats mixture. Stir until completely coated.

• Add the whole pecans and stir.
• Spread half of the granola evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining granola on a second baking sheet.
• Sprinkle each sheet of granola with 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Using a large spatula, turn the granola over. Continue baking for an additional 20 minutes. Watch it carefully so you do not burn the granola. Do not bake longer than 45 minutes.

• The granola will be golden brown. Remove baking sheets from the oven and set each on a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely.
• Add dried cranberries to the granola, if desired.
• Put granola in airtight jars with lids or in resealable plastic bags.

Whether you put Pumpkin Spice Granola in a bowl with milk and fruit, or sprinkle it over yogurt, or crumble it on top of ice cream, you will fall in love with this crunchy Fall treat!