Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe with Brown Sugar

Published: Sep 9, 2020 · Modified: Aug 2, 2023 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 41 Comments

This healthy homemade pumpkin spice granola recipe is sweetly spiced and perfect for quick breakfasts on busy mornings. And it's vegan and gluten free!

bowl of pumpkin spice granola with jug of milk

I try not to, but every time my pantry granola stash runs low I have a strange sense of urgency to hurry up and make a new batch.

For some strange reason granola has that effect on me, lol. I guess I just love having it around!

This seasonally-flavored batch of granola is especially wonderful. Pumpkin spice granola is great for kiddos breakfasts before school or as a healthy mid-morning or afternoon snack at work. And it's a festive addition to brunch for guests who arrive unexpectedly ravenous mid-morning on any given Saturday in fall!

In This Article

Easy Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe

This pumpkin spice granola recipe is a great way to start the day on a healthy note! It has a full cup of pumpkin as well as sunflower seeds and heart-healthy oats.

You can use brown sugar or coconut sugar as the sweetener, and coconut oil or avocado oil as the fat.

It's aromatic with warm spices and has a hint of vanilla.

It tastes like pumpkin pie, but in granola form!

close up top view of pumpkin spice granola in glass jar

Pumpkin Granola Ingredients

In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas. For the full recipe (including ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.

Pumpkin puree - canned pumpkin puree works well, just make sure it's not pumpkin pie filling
Coconut oil - or you can use avocado oil or vegetable oil
Light brown sugar - or you can use coconut sugar
Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves - this blend of warm spices is the classic pumpkin spice blend
Salt - so our granola isn't bland
Vanilla - for a hint of vanilla flavor and aroma
Old-fashioned rolled oats - this is the base of our crunchy granola
Sunflower seeds - or you can use any raw, unsalted seeds or nuts you like; shelled unsalted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) would also be a great choice, and so would pecans or walnuts

How to Make Pumpkin Granola

Preheat the oven to 350F.
Combine the pumpkin, coconut oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally to break up any clumps of brown sugar, and then turn off the heat.
Stir together the pumpkin mixture with the oats and sunflower seeds in a large bowl.
Spread in an even layer on a large baking sheet and bake for about 40 to 50 minutes, or until the moisture is gone and the granola is golden, toasted, and slightly crunchy, stirring every 10 minutes.
Cool completely.

How to Store Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola

Once cool, store this granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 months.

How to Use Pumpkin Granola

This autumnal favorite is really versatile, and there is no one right way to eat granola. Here are a few ways you can eat homemade granola (just sprinkle it on top):

Yogurt - or layer it with yogurt and fruit and make a granola yogurt parfait!
Smoothie - either blended in or sprinkled on top
Oatmeal - crunchy oats on top of a bowl of creamy oatmeal porridge is fall comfort food perfection
Pudding - seasonal granola is an instant way to make pudding feel festive
Ice cream - pumpkin granola is basically healthy sprinkles for ice cream; use vanilla bean ice cream for a classic combo, or keep the festive vibe going and use eggnog ice cream
Pancakes or waffles - you can mix granola into the batter or use granola as a topping
French toast - for extra crunch, try coating French toast in egg and then granola before cooking, or just serve the granola sprinkled on top
Make it into trail mix - Add dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate chips to make pumpkin granola trail mix
Eat granola the OG way - Serve granola with milk and eat it like cereal

More Pumpkin Spice Recipes to Make This Fall

front view of bowl of homemade pumpkin spice granola

Let's Connect

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.

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This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on November 11, 2011. I updated it with more information on September 9, 2020.

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