ADDICTIVE CRUNCHY PUMPKIN SPICE GRANOLA

Crunchy and nutty pumpkin spice granola, sweetened with maple syrup and a touch of brown sugar and loaded with all the flavors of fall.

Pumpkin spice is all the rage this time of year but this pumpkin spice granola is so good, it should be enjoyed all year long. Many recipes contain pumpkin puree, but I found pumpkin puree didn’t add much flavor and made the granola lose its crunch. Also, if you stored it for more than a day, it became soft and gummy. Not what I was looking for in a pumpkin spice granola - or any granola for that matter.

All you need to add that pumpkin spice flavor is - well you've guessed it - pumpkin spice. You can make your own pumpkin spice or use store-bought.

This pumpkin spice granola has a combination of oats, pepitas, pecans, maple syrup, pumpkin spice, and puffed rice cereal for added crunch. You can use crispy rice cereal instead of the puffed if you like.

Adding pure maple syrup and just a touch of brown sugar is just enough sweetener to make it addictive and also the secret to creating chunks.

Try this with yogurt or as a topping for ice cream. Have it as a breakfast cereal or just grab a handful and enjoy. This is for all you pumpkin lovers out there.

Life is too short for mediocre food.

PUMPKIN SPICE GRANOLA

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Crunchy and nutty pumpkin spice granola, sweetened with maple syrup and a touch of brown sugar and loaded with all the flavors of fall.

Enjoy as a breakfast cereal, as a snack, on top of yogurt, or on ice cream.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 5 cups

Author: Natalie Gregory

Equipment Used

Baking Sheet

Parchment Paper

Large Bowl

Spatula

2 cup measure

Ingredients

• 3 cups oats I use 2 cups rolled and 1 cup quick
• 1 cup puffed rice - unsweetened can substitute crispy rice cereal
• ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds - pepitas
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Spice
• pinch salt
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• 6 tablespoons neutral oil See NOTE 1
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla See NOTE 2

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325℉.
• Grease a baking sheet with a teaspoon of oil or line with parchment paper.
• Combine oats, rice puffs, pumpkin spice, pepitas, pecans, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
• In a small saucepan, heat the maple syrup, oil, brown sugar. Stir until brown sugar is dissolved then remove from heat. Alternatively, in a 2 cup glass measuring cup, pour in maple syrup and oil. Add in brown sugar. Heat for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on your microwave, stirring halfway to dissolve brown sugar.
• Stir in vanilla. It might bubble so be careful.
• Pour syrup mixture over oat mixture and stir to combine.
• Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown. Depending on your oven, you may need to stir granola halfway through for even coloring.
• Remove from oven and let cool completely. Break it up into chunks.
• Store in an airtight container. It will last about two weeks but I'm sure it won't last that long.

Notes

NOTE 1: I use coconut, extra virgin olive, or avocado oil. Using coconut oil gives great flavor.

NOTE 2: You can substitute bourbon for the vanilla.

Nutritional Information

I don't post the nutritional value because I don't trust the accuracy of the nutritional apps. I’m not a nutritionist and don't want to post misinformation.

Did you make this recipe? Tag @thegeneticchef and use #thegeneticchef and tell me all about it!

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