Pumpkin Pie Spiced Granola
Granola and fall spices! I like them separately but put them together and add chocolate and it’s basically the best thing ever. I make
all of the time so I thought it would be fun to change up my
to go with my favorite season. I look for basically any reason to use my
and right now is the perfect time to try it with all of the fall/holiday cooking and baking coming up. This recipe is also a great thing to make as gifts
I can’t take credit for adding the chocolate to this recipe… it was all of my husbands idea! It was a great idea! I like using bittersweet chocolate with this granola because instead of adding sweetness it adds richness that is a perfect balance to the spices. I like my granola a bit softer, but if you like yours crunchy you can simply bake it longer. It’s my favorite fall snack!
Pumpkin Seed Granola
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1/2
(if you can’t find unsweetened you can use sweetened) 1/4 cup wheat germ (optional) 1 cup sunflower seeds 1 cup pepita seeds (aka shelled pumpkin seeds) 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 1/2 teaspoon salt (I like using kosher) 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (
) 1/2 cup honey (preferably raw if you can find it) 2 teaspoons
8 tablespoons butter or coconut oil
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
Instructions
*Heat your oven to 325 degree
*Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the pepita seeds on it
*Bake 3-6 minutes or until slightly toasted
*Set aside to cool
*In a large bowl combine the oats, coconut, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, cooled pepita seeds, sesame seeds, salt, and pumpkin pie spice
*Toss together until evenly coated
*In a small pan over medium heat melt the butter; Once melted add the honey and vanilla to it
*Pour the honey over the oats mixture
*Stir well…. making sure that everything is coated.
*Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and spread evenly
*Make sure your mixture stays somewhat compact on the sheet (see picture below).
*Bake until golden, about 14-17 minutes; if you like your granola crunchy then you probably want to bake it for 17-18 minutes.
*Let cool completely
*Once completely cooled you can break it up into big pieces
*Store in an airtight container
Pumpkin Pie Spiced Granola
Note: Pepita seeds are pumpkins seeds. They look different than the ones that come out of the pumpkin because they are shelled. I recommend using these for the granola and saving the ones from your pumpkin carving for roasting separately.