Homemade Pumpkin Pie Granola Recipe (Easy Fall Granola)

 This homemade healthy granola recipe, flavored with pumpkin pie spice, is a great way to usher in fall. Once the calendar flips to October, it’s game on here for all things pumpkin and pumpkin spice! But if you don’t like pumpkin pie spice, no worries. The spices can be swapped out or omitted all together.

Something about the cooler air excites me to turn on the oven and smell the sweet smells of fall. Ever since I cooked a pumpkin in my Instant Pot, I’ve been obsessing over with all things pumpkin.  Pumpkin bread, pumpkin waffles, pumpkin pie essential oil blends, and pumpkin pie spice in anything that will allow begin to happen!

Tips on Making Homemade Healthy Granola Recipe

If your family likes granola, homemade granola is a great alternative to store-bought varieties. You can control the ingredients, adjust the sweetness, and change up the flavors depending on what your family likes. This DIY granola recipe can be left plain or you can add pumpkin pie spice like I did.

Want those big chunks of granola? The key is to keep your oats pressed together while they bake. Instead of spreading the granola into a thin, single layer, I form it into one layer on my baking sheet that is somewhere between a thin layer and about ½ inch thick. I press all of the oats together into a rectangle and leave them alone while they bake.

I don’t stir the granola while it’s baking. This allows everything to stick together and gives you those big, delicious clumps once it cools.

While melting your coconut oil, don’t heat it until it smokes. Coconut oil melts pretty quickly, so keep an eye on it while warming it.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Granola Recipe

This homemade granola can be left plain or flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or your other favorite spices!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15–18 minutes

Cool Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: About 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 2½ cups whole oats
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 5–7 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (optional)
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Gently melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat.
3. Add the maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and pumpkin pie spice, if using. Mix together.
4. Add the oats and stir until they are well coated in the mixture. Fold in the chopped pecans. You can use a wooden spoon, but sometimes the girls and I do this by hand.
5. Spread the granola mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Form it into one layer that is not paper thin but also isn’t about ½ inch thick. Press all of the oats together into a rectangle, keeping them tightly packed together.
6. Bake for 15–18 minutes without stirring. Keep an eye on it toward the end since ovens can vary. You want the edges and top to be lightly golden.
7. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely without disturbing it. This is important! The granola will continue to firm up as it cools.
8. Once completely cool, break the granola into big clumps and store in an airtight container.

Notes

• If pumpkin pie spice isn’t your thing, leave it out or use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon instead.
• The amount of coconut oil can be adjusted between 5 and 7 tablespoons depending on how you like your granola. More coconut oil will give you a richer, more cohesive granola.
• Don’t stir the granola while it bakes if you want those big clusters!
• Pressing the oats together into a rectangle before baking helps everything stick together.
• Let the granola cool completely before breaking it apart. It will be much easier to get those big chunks once it has cooled.
• You can also mix the oats in by hand. The warmth of your hands will help soften the coconut oil if it starts to firm up.

How to Store Homemade Granola

Once your granola has cooled completely, store it in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dry place. I like using a glass jar so I can easily see how much we have left!

Make sure the granola is completely cool before putting the lid on. Trapped moisture can make it lose that crunchy texture.

For the best texture, enjoy your homemade granola within a few weeks. If it starts smelling stale or rancid, it’s time to toss it.

Ways to Enjoy Homemade Pumpkin Pie Granola

There are so many ways to enjoy homemade granola! Here are a few ideas:

• Sprinkle it over plain yogurt.
• Serve it with milk for an easy breakfast.
• Add it to a bowl of oatmeal for a little crunch.
• Enjoy a handful as a snack.
• Use it as a topping for baked apples or other fall desserts.

And if you aren’t a fan of pumpkin pie spice, you can easily switch up the flavors. Cinnamon and vanilla are delicious on their own, too!

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