I’ve been meaning to make granola for months. I eat it for breakfast almost every morning with yogurt and honey, so why not make my own? I knew it was easy, I just somehow never got around to it. Luckily, the Secret Recipe Club gave me just the kick in the butt I needed. Each month members are assigned another blog and must make one recipe. It’s been a fun opportunity to discover new blogs and dishes.
This month I was assigned the Pajama Chef. Sarah has been blogging since July 2010 and is simultaneously working on not one but two Masters degrees! Although her Pumpkin Granola immediately called to me, I was tempted by many of her yummy recipes. Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese?! Pumpkin Biscuits?! Maple and Brown Sugar Almond Butter?! I’ve just bookmarked these for another day.
Today, though, is all about this granola. The granola is mixed together quickly and bakes for just 30 minutes. The result is essentially my ideal granola – filled with oats, nuts, and dried fruit and flavorful without being overly sweet like most packaged granola. It’s great with yogurt, or with milk as a cereal. It keeps well in a sealed container and can be adjusted based on your preferences. Instead of Sarah’s suggested cranberries I used chopped apricots, which I had on hand. Although canned pumpkin is hard to come by in Israel a friend brought some back for me from Canada! Of course making your own is also easy as pie. Easier, in fact. I used the remaining puree to make pumpkin bread.
- 1½ cups old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- ⅓ cup pepitas [pumpkin seeds]
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon cloves
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup chopped apricots
- Preheat oven to 300F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, almonds, pepitas, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla, and apricots.
- Fold the pumpkin mix into the dry ingredients.
- Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every ten minutes, until granola is golden brown and crisp. Granola will continue to harden as it cools, so don't over-bake.
- Store in an air-tight container.
Oh, Katherine! What a fabulous selection for the SRC! I LOVE granola and never make it b/c it goes into my mouth almost as fast as I spoon it into the bowl 🙂 But I WOULD love just a bowlful of yours~
Thank you Liz!!! I love granola as well and this is seriously some of the best I have ever had.
I’m working on a granola post myself, so I definitely share the love! Strange, though, for as much as we enjoy pumpkin over here that I’ve never done a pumpkin granola. This version, especially with the pepitas, sounds terrific.
Cheers,
*Heather*
I can’t wait to see your granola post! This granola seriously rocked my world. I hope you give it a try some time! 🙂
Yum! I have never made my own granola! And with pumpkin, it sounds so much better!!! I know where to look when I finally get around to making a batch!
I had never gotten around to it either and it is so easy I will definitely be making my own from now on. And I will be making this recipe often, I can tell you that much!
Never made my granola, either… and this is great!!
Thanks Giulia! It was super easy, I highly recommend it!
Ummm me three… I’ve never made granola myself YET. But it’s on my to make list…. now pumpkin one sounds good! =)
Hahaha I am sure you will enjoy it Nami! And it makes for such a quick, healthy breakfast with milk or yogurt.
I just made granola this weekend for the first time in months! This recipe looks delicious.
Awesome!! I feel that this will become a regular occurrence for me 🙂
I LOVE making granola at home, I never buy it from the store. I just joined the SRC, I’m excited!
Yes, I don’t think I’ll ever buy it again! So excited that you joined SRC, you’re going to love it!
Yummy, I love pumpkin granola!
Me too! Although often the store-bought variety is too sweet and artificial tasting. This was just perfect.
I love homemade granola and often make a batch (either for breakfast or chocolate granola which I eat for pudding with yoghurt and fruit), but have never thought to include pumpkin. What a gorgeous idea. Loving the mix of spices you’ve used too 🙂
Oooh I love the idea of a dessert granola! Very cool. Thanks 😀
glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂 it’s one of my favorites. i love the use of apricots instead of cranberries, i’ll definitely have to give that a try!
Sarah, it is such a great recipe! I had a difficult time choosing between all your amazing dishes, but am so glad I picked this granola. It’s amazing.
I’ve never made it before either, but the ingredients in it look really healthy. One more interesting idea for pumpkin!
It’s such a great, healthy, easy breakfast recipe! I’m really obsessed. And I was interested to learn that while oats are naturally gluten free, many commercial oats suffer from contamination.
Yum! I have granola and yogurt for breakfast almost every morning. I can’t wait to try this out.
Me too! This granola is so much better than store bought. I hope you enjoy!!
Nothing better than homemade granola and this looks like a winning recipe, great SRC choice.
If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to check out my SRC recipe this month: Pork Belly Soup with Collard Greens.
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
I totally agree! Thanks Lisa 😀 I’m off to check out your recipe!
Hello Katherine! I’ve never made granola but I have it in my mind! your pimpkin granola looks great and I’m sure that it tastes good too!
Have a great week!
Thank you Eri! Making granola was so easy, and then you have a healthy easy breakfast all week long!
Yum! I want a big bowl of this right now. I am adding this to my recipe list.
Thanks Melissa! I have been so enjoying eating it for breakfast. I hope you like it as much as I did!
This pumpkin granola sounds amazing!!! I need to make this…now!
Thanks Brandy! It was reaallllly good. I hope you enjoy! 😀
What a lovely recipe for breakfast. Pumpkin is always my fave flavor.
Thank you! I know, I can’t get enough pumpkin either 🙂
It’s tough to pick a recipe to do for the SRC, I swear I have this problem every time! But this granola is a sure hit.
I know! Now I have a lot of great recipes bookmarked for another day, and I’m really glad I went with this one. I will definitely be enjoying this all fall.
This looks fantastic! Homemade granola is so tasty. 🙂
Thanks Sara! It sure is. I’m never turning back!
Looks so great… I need to start choosing healthy recipes, I will remember this next month’s SRC… Love dried apricots.
Thank you Ilke! I’ve been trying to be healthier recently, hence this recipe 🙂 I love dried apricots too!
I often make granola and have been wanting to try pumpkin granola. This looks like a great recipe!
Thanks Barbara! This really is a great recipe. I hope you enjoy!
This a great recipe! I’ve also been thinking about making granola a hundred times and never acutally did. This recipe is so simple, that I really wonder what’s stopping me 🙂
By the way, over the last weeks I have been wandering around your blog pickig a recipe for my SRC assignment, and it was very hard, because you have so many great recipea snd such beautiful photos! Love your site and will be coming here often 🙂 Thanks!
Aw thanks!! I’m so happy you like my blog 😀 Yours is wonderful as well!! And you should definitely try this granola recipe, it’s so easy and delicious!
I love granola…and I love the pumpkin in this recipe!
Me too! Thanks Shelby 🙂
all I can say is: YUM!
Thanks!! I was beyond pleased with how this easy recipe came out.
This granola looks fabulous and so easy to make! Love that’s it’s good for you – oats, fruits, nuts – healthy and delicious!
Thanks Biana! I also love that it’s healthy, easy to make, AND delicious! 🙂
This sounds fantastic. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Jessica! It really is quite excellent. Thanks for stopping by!
After seeing this I am ready to get to the store and buy these ingredients. I have been missing out on my breakfast granola for too long. That spilled jar has hooked me. Awesome SCR choice-yum!
Thanks Tina! That’s how I felt when I first saw the recipe. And it’s the recipe that keeps on giving – now I have a jar handy to make my breakfast special any morning 🙂
This sounds delicious! I love that the puree gets baked, I imagine that gives a great sweet crunch to it. 🙂
Thank you Kiri! Yes, it does give a nice sweet crunch to the granola. It’s just a little bit of pumpkin so it gives it a nice, light glaze. Delicious.
Great recipe, and I love all the pumpkin in it! How seasonal can you get?! Great job – thanks.
Thanks! Yes, this granola definitely screams Fall, which I just love.
Sounds delicious! I love granola so much that I would have to make just one serving otherwise I’d eat the whole thing in a day!
Hahaha I know what you mean, Ruth. It’s hard not to just eat this by the handful!
I am addicted to granola. Adding pumpkin seeds and puree sounds amazing!
Me too! Yes, all the pumpkin in here is pretty great. And I have to say it’s not an overpowering pumpkin flavor, it’s just right!
i love making my own granola, BUT adding in the pumpkin puree adds a whole new twist. thanks for the great recipe. i will have to try it soon
Yes, the pumpkin does add a great twist! So happy you like it – I hope you enjoy!
This looks wonderful. I make granola all of the time but never pumpkin. I cannot wait to try it out.
Thank you Emily!! I hope you enjoy it 😀
Granola is a wonderful way to start the day! Your pumpkin granola is perfect for fall- chewy, sweet, crunchy and delicious. This is one I must try. 🙂
Thanks Betty! I must agree with you, I don’t think there’s a better way to start the day!
I wouldn’t have thought to include pumpkin puree – this looks terrific. Granola is one of my favorite breakfast foods, and I have a wonderful recipe I make from my best friend’s dad. I may have to tweak it to include pumpkin now! Thank you for the inspiration. Of course, as soon as I make it I’ll inhale it…homemade granola is just the best (and, as you said, not overly sweet like store bought).
Ohh is your granola recipe on your blog? Who can’t use more granola recipes? I have to say this pumpkin granola is some of the best I’ve had. I will definitely be making this again and again!
No, haven’t put my granola recipe on the blog yet, but I plan to. First I’m making your pumpkin version!
Haha I hope you like it! I’ll be waiting for yours 🙂
Do you think I could use honey instead of maple syrup?
Funny you should ask – I just made granola with honey today and it turned out great! The flavor will be a little different but still delicious.
looks great! Can’t wait to try it