This crunchy pumpkin seed granola recipe is chock-full of oats, quinoa, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. It makes for a great seasonal breakfast.
This pumpkin seed granola blend is perfect for fall when the weather is crisp and pumpkin spice flavours are on the menu. This crunchy blend comprises of oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, quinoa, and pecans for the dry elements.
If desired, you could substitute the quinoa with puffed amaranth, a type of seed that has been puffed similar to popcorn. They are high in protein and other nutrients and add a nice puffed rice type of texture to the granola mix.
Meanwhile, pumpkin puree, coconut oil, and maple syrup bind everything together. A little salt and pumpkin spice bind all of the flavours, making an incredibly addictive breakfast food you may want to eat all day. You can also add dried cranberries or raisins to impart some colour and sweetness, but these are optional. The colour of the red cranberries looks particularly great against the green pumpkin seeds.
Ingredients
- Rolled oats - use certified gluten-free oats if required
- Pumpkin seeds - also called pepitas
- Sunflower seeds
- Quinoa - dry or popped; or puffed amaranth
- Pecan - pieces or chopped
- Pumpkin pie spice - I use this mixture of cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice
- Sea salt
- Pumpkin puree
- Maple syrup - honey or agave syrup
- Coconut oil
- Dried cranberries - or raisins/chocolate chips (optional)
See recipe box for details.
Directions
This pumpkin spice granola is incredibly easy to make. You will want to start by warming your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. While you may think that a higher temperature would be ideal, this granola includes delicate ingredients that you don't want to brown too quickly. The idea is to get the entire mixture to a golden, fragrant toasted crunch, but not burnt.
1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
2. Stir together with a spatula or wooden spoon until well combined.
3. Spread mixture on a baking sheet and bake until crisped and browned, tossing once halfway.
4. Sprinkle optional cranberries over after baking. Cool granola on the baking sheet without stirring to form clusters.
Storage
Transfer cooled granola to an airtight container like a mason jar and store at room temperature. It is best consumed within 1 month.
Serving Suggestions
Pumpkin granola is wonderful as it is for a snack. It also tends to work well on hikes because it is light to carry and is robust in calories.
One of the best ways to enjoy it is in a bowl with your favourite dairy, nut, or soy milk, though. This is particularly great if you are a fan of the convenience of boxed breakfast cereal in the morning, but want to have something healthier on hand. You can simply keep a jar of this granola with rolled oats in your pantry to have ready when you need a fast breakfast in the morning.
Another option is to sprinkle it on your favourite dairy or coconut yogurt. For an extra fancy touch, consider layering it with the yogurt to make a parfait type breakfast dish.
Original photos from 2014
FAQs
Absolutely! Pumpkin flax seed granola is a nutritious choice, packed with the goodness of oats, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds. It provides essential nutrients and fiber, making it a wholesome and satisfying option.
Enjoy pumpkin seed granola by adding your favorite milk, yogurt, or dairy-free alternative. It's also great as a snack or sprinkled on top of smoothie bowls. Get creative and experiment with different ways to savor this delicious and crunchy treat.
The calorie count can vary, but generally, pumpkin seed granola is a moderate-calorie option. The inclusion of nutritious ingredients like oats, seeds, and spices makes it a balanced choice for a tasty and energizing snack or breakfast.
Granola and oats each offer unique benefits. Granola often includes a variety of ingredients like seeds and nuts, providing more diverse nutrients. However, oats are a simple and versatile whole grain. Balance is key, so choose based on your nutritional needs and preferences.
Related
More homemade granola recipes to make:
Recipe
Pumpkin Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- ¾ cup pumpkin seeds
- ¾ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup quinoa or puffed amaranth
- ½ cup pecan nuts pieces or chopped
- 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins; optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a large bowl stir together all ingredients until evenly combined.
- Place mixture on a large baking sheet and bake for 30 - 45 minutes until crisped and browned to your liking. Toss once halfway through to ensure even baking.
- After baking you can sprinkle the optional cranberries over the granola. Let granola cool to room temperature on the baking sheet. Don't stir it while warm to let larger clusters form.
- Transfer the cooled granola to an airtight storage container.
Nutrition
Pin for later?
Francine Lebel
ça me semble délicieux et tout plein de vitamines; cependant, je me demandais combien de temps on peut le conserver dans un contenant hermétique. MERCI pour cette recette. Bonne journée !
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Hi Francine! I recommend that you store it in an airtight container for only up to 1 month.
Susan
Can you use sugar free maple syrup?
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Absolutely! You should be able to substitute regular maple syrup with the same amount of sugar free maple syrup in this recipe.
Samantha
Hi there, is there any other substitute for pureéd pumkin? Please do let me know. Thanks.
Regina | Leelalicious
It won't be quite the same, but you could use sweet potato mash, mashed banana, or applesauce for similar results
Debby
Hello: this looks fabulous! I plan to prepare this tomorrow. Can you tell me if the quinoa is cooked or uncooked?
Thank you!
Regina | Leelalicious
I used uncooked quinoa. It is crunchy. You can also use puffed quinoa or puffed amaranth
Kelly
Are the seeds raw or roasted? Thanks!
Regina | Leelalicious
I am adding them raw. They get a roasted flavor while the granola is baking
Sigi Cayel
Love this idea of pumpkin granola! If pecans weren't so expensive here, I know that they would've added that perfect fall flavor! Here are some of the substitutions I made and it still came out wonderful!
-Omitted quinoa
-1 cup chopped walnuts
-2 tsps cinnamon
-1 tsp nutmeg
-1/4 cup honey
-2 tbsps EVOO
-3 pinches of coarse sea salt
-1 tsp vanilla
Regina | Leelalicious
I am sure walnuts are just as awesome in this pumpkin granola. Around here walnuts are much harder to find than pecans. Salt and vanilla sound like they wound wonderfully round out the flavors
Cynthia
Hello! I wanted to make this recipe because I love granola but it's expensive and not always a healthy breakfast option. This recipe is cooking in the oven right now, perfect for the season of fall that has just begun. I couldn't find pumpkin puree at my grocery store so I cooked a sweet potato. Might bring it along with me for an upcoming trip, can't wait to eat his with my coconut yogurt!
Regina | Leelalicious
What a great idea to use sweet potato puree instead! I bet it tastes amazing
Mary
What can I sub for the pumpkin purée? I don’t have any. What about apple sauce?
Regina | Leelalicious
Yes applesauce will work. I actually have a very similar recipe for apple granola here https://leelalicious.com/apple-pie-granola/
Kristine
We are on an anti candida diet. So I was thinking of swapping the oats out with millet, flax, chia, and coconut flakes. And the maple syrup out with Lankanto. And soaking all the grains and seeds first. I will let yoyou know how it turns out!
Regina
I am curious to hear how it goes
April
I have a little girl named Olivia Louise and we call her Livi Lou too! It was so funny to read that! Recipe looks delicious!
Regina
The nickname works perfectly for your little girl. Mine doesn't have a middle name that is anything like Lou, but somehow Livi Lou just flows so well. We've been using it since her first few weeks.
Becky
I just mae this today and it is delicious! I added unsweetened flake coconut, flax and chia. And I added raisins the last 15 minutes. My husband won't even try granola but kept walking by and sneaking some of this crunchy snack! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Regina
Yay!! Turning a granola hater is best kind of praise this recipe could get
Ruth
Doesn't the quinoa get too hard, and possibly break a tooth? Seems like it would be very gritty. Mixing in Pumpkin seems like a great idea!
Regina
The quinoa definitely gives some extra crunch to the granola. If you don't think that's something you'd like, you can omit the quinoa or maybe use puffed quinoa instead
Sarah
You could cook the quinoa before hand. Make sure to drain and dry it. You'll end up with quinoa cris pies. So yummy I make them all the time 🙂
Regina
That sounds like a great idea. Thanks for the tip!
Rosalinda R
this was not sweet AT ALL, like not even a little bit. i would add some coconut sugar next time. This isn't something i would make again.
Regina
I am sorry this didn't turn out to your liking. As I mention in the title it is a very healthy granola recipe. If you like it sweeter, it is easy to increase the sweetener
Rosalinda R
do you melt the coconut oil?
Lisa
I'm allergic to coconut. What other oil would you recommend?
Regina
I also really like avocado oil or grapeseed oil
Bjean
I love this granola recipe, can the Quick cooking oatmeal be used in recipe?
Samira Jamil
Greetings from the island of Malta!
Thank you Regina for sharing this wonderful recipe. I am just making my second batch in as many weeks 🙂 it's been a real hit with everyone who has tried it.
I toast a slice of brown bread, drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil, add a dollop of Greek yoghurt, a tablespoon of your granola and a drizzle of honey for an amazing breakfast. A great way to start one's day!
Regina
Yum! I love the way you use this granola in your breakfast. Makes me hungry!
Rebekah
Hey, This may be a dum question but I've never made granola before but do I need to cook the quinoa first?
Regina
Hi Rebekah, no I don't cook the quinoa. I like the crunch the baked seeds add. You can also switch the quinoa to another seed/nut. Granola recipes are very easily adjustable 🙂
Nancy
Looks delicious! Do you have a calorie count per 1/2 cup serving?
Regina
Hi Nancy, oh my, I totally forgot to post the yield of this recipe when I posted it last year. This could only have been new-mommy brain 😉
I updated the recipe and added an approximate nutrition label. Hope this helps.
Susan
what is the serving size? Looks great! Do you refrigerate it?
Regina
Hi Susan, thank you! 🙂 I just keep it in a air tight container (usually a mason jar) in a cool, dark shelf. Not the fridge.
Oh boy, serving sizes for granola vary, I guess. Sometimes I use just a couple tablespoons on top of yogurt and fruit. Other times I have a bowl of just granola with milk. In that case I would say 1/2 cup probably.
Marti
Does the quinoa have to be rinsed, (cleaned), first to get off the "chalky" taste?
Regina
Hi Marti, the quinoa brand I use is pre-rinsed. If yours isn't, yes I would recommend rinsing
Tara
Looks wonderful...just a quick question about the qunoa: do you cook it first?
I have never made anything with uncooked quinoa...kinda nervous...lol
Thanks!
Regina
Hi Tara, I use it uncooked. Since it is being baked together with the oats and other ingredients the seeds get a nice toasty crunch. So it won't be like chewing raw quinoa seeds 😉
Jacquee
I'd like the ability to freeze time...maybe eating more granola will give me that power. Love this combo - perfect companion to a heaping bowl of Greek yogurt and fruit.
Regina
With yogurt and fruit is exactly how I always have this granola.
Melissa Belanger
Already 2 months?! 🙂 That's wonderful and she's totally adorable, by the way!! I'm totally getting ready for fall now for obvious baby-related reasons, but some pumpkin granola is such a great breakfast (or snack) for the colder weather. I love it!
Regina
Aww...thanks so much Melissa. You must be so excited for your little girl to arrive as well! But enjoy those nights while you still can 😉
Angie (@angiesrecipess)
I have to make a batch soon! Homemade is the best.
Regina
Absolutely! Store-bought it usually overpriced and too sugary
Susan
I love making granola, I can't wait to try this version.
Regina
Me too!! Almost as much as I love eating it 😉