Treat yourself to this homemade Pumpkin Seed Granola! This yummy recipe is easy to make, loaded with crunchy pepitas, and it has a pumpkin spice flavor you won't be able to resist. Perfect for a fall breakfast or snack!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ginnie's Take
I love making my own granola. It's actually super simple (and fun), and the recipe isn't loaded with sugar and mystery additives like the store bought stuff. Plus, you can add your favorite ingredients and skip the ones you don't like (that would be raisins for me, ha). This Pumpkin Seed Granola is a recent flavor combination that I can't get enough of, and I just know that you're going to love it, too!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Amazing Flavor - This crispy DIY granola has a warm pumpkin spice flavor that's truly mouthwatering and impossible to resist. You'll love the perfectly crunchy texture, too!
- Easy to Make - Granola is super simple to prepare. Just mix a few ingredients together, then bake. It's easy to customize, too!
- Minimal Ingredients - Unlike the store bought kind, this cozy recipe is made with just a few nutritious ingredients.
- Fall Treat - The pumpkin pie spice gives this recipe a warm, autumnal flavor you're sure to love! Make a big batch to enjoy all fall long, but don't be surprised if you find yourself craving it in winter, spring, and summer, too!
Jump to:
Ingredients
This recipe uses basic ingredients you can find in any grocery store! Here's what you'll need:
- Oats - This recipe uses old fashioned rolled oats. Avoid using instant, quick-cooking, or steel cut oats, because they have a different texture.
- Pumpkin Seeds - You'll also need some pepitas. These tasty green seeds have no hull, which gives them more tender texture that regular pumpkin seeds. Because you'll be baking them, make sure to use raw (unroasted) pepitas for this recipe.
- Spices - The granola is flavored with pumpkin pie spice, which gives it a warm, cozy flavor that's perfect for fall.
- Maple Syrup - Maple syrup helps to sweeten the oats and adds a lovely taste, too.
- Vanilla - A little vanilla extract adds another layer of flavor.
- Oil - Adding oil to granola helps the oats get crispy as they bake. I typically use extra virgin olive oil when making granola, but other varieties will also work.
This fall granola recipe is naturally vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, nut free, and gluten free (as long as you use GF oats), so everyone at your table can enjoy it!
You'll Also Need
You'll need a small bowl and a large bowl to mix the ingredients, as well as a baking sheet (these sheet pans are my favorite) to cook the granola.
How to Make Pepita Granola
This homemade Granola with Pumpkin Seeds couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's quick overview of the steps:
- Mix oats, pepitas, and spices. In a large bowl, stir the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie spice, and salt together.
- Combine oil, maple syrup, and vanilla. Add the olive oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a smaller bowl. Mix with a fork (or whisk) until well-combined.
- Stir everything together. Drizzle the maple syrup mixture over the oat mixture, then mix well.
- Bake. Spread the oat mixture over a large baking sheet in an even layer. Transfer the granola to your oven, then bake until it's golden and crisp, stirring every 10 minutes. Tip: As the granola cools, it will crisp up even more.
Once your Pumpkin Seed Granola cools, it's ready to eat. Just add some yogurt and fresh fruit, and breakfast is done!
Variations
This yummy Pepita Granola recipe is fun and easy to customize! Here are a few ideas to try:
- Dried Fruit - Stir in dried cranberries (or other dried fruits) for a delicious fruity flavor. Freeze dried fruit will also work great.
- Nuts / Seeds - Swap out the pepitas for sunflower seeds or nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans). You could also do a combo of nuts + seeds.
- Oil - Replace the olive oil with canola oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, etc. Almost anything goes.
- Sweetener - Use honey instead of maple syrup.
- Spices - Instead of pumpkin spice, mix in your favorite combo of warm spices (think cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger).
- Flax - Mix in a couple tablespoon of flaxseeds for some extra nutrition.
- Chocolate - Stir in a half cup of chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips after the granola has cooled completely.
- Coconut - Combine the cooked granola with coconut chips for a tasty tropical flavor.
- Clumps - This recipe doesn't have tons of sticky sugar, so it won't form huge clumps. However, you'll get larger clumps if you let the granola cool completely on the baking pan before transferring it to a baking container (and before stirring in an extra ingredients).
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delicious granola for breakfast or as a snack. You're sure to love it either way.
- Yogurt - Serve over yogurt and top with fruit for a simple Fruit and Yogurt Parfait.
- Cottage Cheese - Pair with cottage cheese and fresh or dried fruit.
- Fruit - Sprinkle over berries, apples, and other fruits for a light breakfast or snack.
- Cereal - Serve it a bowl with milk and enjoy it as a cereal.
- Toast - Top toast with your favorite spread (like peanut butter, jam, or both), then add a spoonful or two of granola.
- Smoothie Bowls - Use as a topping for smoothie bowls (and smoothies, too).
- Salads - Sprinkle over a fall salad for a unique, crunchy topping.
Storage
Store leftover granola in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for two to three weeks. Perfect for breakfasts on a busy morning!
Related Recipes
If you're searching for more pepita recipes, try my Pepita Salad Dressing, Pumpkin Seed Salad (with kale and apples), Superfood Salad, and Tropical Trail Mix next! and don't forget to check out my other granola recipes, too:
- This basic Homemade Granola recipe is super delicious and so easy to customize!
- Treat yourself to this scrumptious Chocolate Cherry Granola anytime you need a pick me up.
P.S. You can find even more Pumpkin Seed Recipes here!
Pumpkin Seed Granola
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup pepitas
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Equipment
- Parchment Paper (or Nonstick Foil)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick foil, then set aside.
- Stir oats, pepitas, pumpkin spice, and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate, smaller bowl, mix olive oil, maple syrup, and vanilla together with a fork (or whisk) until well combined.
- Pour maple syrup mixture over oat mixture, then stir until oats are well coated.
- Spread oat mixture over prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
- Bake granola until golden and crisp, stirring every 10 minutes (about 20 to 25 minutes total).
- Let granola cool completely, then store in an airtight container until ready to eat. Enjoy!
Notes
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Nutrition
