Irresistible Vegan Pumpkin Spice Granola: Your Easy Homemade Autumn Treat
Pumpkin spice granola – this easy to make vegan granola is crunchy, flavourful and utterly addictive! Perfect for breakfast with milk or yogurt, or just for eating by the handful as a snack.
The moment this incredible pumpkin spice granola emerged from the oven, its intoxicating aroma filled my kitchen, signaling an instant hit. The warm, comforting scent of autumn spices, mingling with toasted oats and nuts, was simply irresistible. I found myself unable to wait for it to cool down, eagerly grabbing a couple of slightly warm handfuls right away. It was a good thing I baked a generous batch, because between my husband and me, it barely lasted three days! This homemade granola isn’t just a breakfast item; it’s a delightful experience, a perfect blend of crunch, sweetness, and that quintessential pumpkin spice warmth.
There’s something uniquely satisfying about homemade granola. Unlike many store-bought varieties that are often laden with excessive sugar and unhealthy oils, making your own gives you complete control over the ingredients. This particular recipe stands out not only for its incredible flavor but also for its wholesome nature. Crafted with nutritious porridge oats, it’s generously packed with heart-healthy pumpkin seeds and crunchy pecans, complemented by the vibrant tartness of dried cranberries. The addition of real pumpkin puree infuses it with a subtle earthiness and moisture, while maple syrup provides natural sweetness and coconut oil ensures every cluster is perfectly crisp and golden brown.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Pumpkin Spice Granola
This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s a celebration of autumnal flavors, designed to bring warmth and comfort to your mornings. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:
- Irresistible Flavor: The star of the show is, of course, the pumpkin spice. I use a classic “mixed spice” blend (known as pumpkin pie spice in North America) which combines cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to create that iconic warmly spiced flavor. It’s perfect for autumn, but honestly, I find myself craving this delicious granola all year round!
- Healthy & Wholesome: Made with whole rolled oats, healthy fats from coconut oil, and nutrient-dense seeds and nuts, this granola offers a powerhouse of energy and fiber. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup, avoiding refined sugars where possible.
- Vegan & Plant-Based: Completely free from animal products, this granola is perfect for those following a vegan or plant-based diet, or anyone looking for a healthier alternative to traditional granolas.
- Perfectly Crunchy Texture: The combination of baking at the right temperature and stirring halfway through ensures a wonderfully crisp and clumpy texture that’s incredibly satisfying.
- Versatile: Enjoy it in countless ways – with plant-based milk, atop your favorite yogurt, sprinkled over smoothie bowls, or simply by the handful as a satisfying snack.
Sourcing Your Pumpkin Puree
A key ingredient in this recipe is pumpkin puree, which adds moisture, flavor, and a beautiful color. I typically use tinned pumpkin puree, which is readily available in many supermarkets. In the UK, I’ve found it at Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s, Waitrose, and online retailers like Ocado and Amazon. It’s usually located in the baking aisle, sometimes near canned fruits or pie fillings.
If you’re having trouble finding canned pumpkin puree, don’t fret! Making your own is surprisingly simple and yields a wonderfully fresh product. All you need is a pumpkin or a butternut squash. Simply roast the squash until it’s tender, then scoop out the flesh and blend it until smooth. It’s a fantastic way to utilize seasonal produce. For a detailed guide, you can refer to resources like this helpful article on how to make pumpkin puree.
How To Make This Amazing Pumpkin Spice Granola: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this delicious vegan pumpkin spice granola is a straightforward process, requiring minimal effort for maximum reward. The key to perfect granola lies in combining the dry and wet ingredients thoroughly and baking it until it’s just right. Below, you’ll find a visual and descriptive guide to walk you through each step. (For a precise list of ingredients and full instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located further down this page).
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
Begin by preparing your dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the jumbo rolled oats, chopped pecans, pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas), your chosen mixed spice (or pumpkin spice blend), and a pinch of salt. Ensure everything is well mixed so that the spices are evenly distributed, laying the foundation for a flavorful granola.
Step 2: Prepare Wet Ingredients
Next, move on to the wet ingredients. In a saucepan, gently melt together the maple syrup, coconut oil, pumpkin puree, light brown soft sugar, and vanilla extract over a low heat. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and all the sugar has dissolved. This creates the sticky, sweet binder that will coat your dry ingredients and help form those coveted crunchy clusters.
Step 3: Mix, Bake, and Cool
Pour the warm, melted wet ingredients into the bowl with your dry ingredients. Mix everything together thoroughly, ensuring every oat, nut, and seed is completely coated. This step is crucial for even flavor and texture. Once combined, spread the mixture evenly onto a baking parchment-lined tray. A single layer is important for even baking and crispness.
Bake the granola in a preheated oven for approximately 40 minutes, or until it turns a beautiful golden brown. Remember to stir it halfway through the baking time to promote even toasting and prevent burning. Don’t be concerned if it still feels a little soft when you take it out; it will continue to crisp up as it cools on the tray.
Once cooled, stir in the dried cranberries. Adding them after baking ensures they remain soft and chewy, providing a delightful contrast to the crunchy granola. Finally, allow the granola to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container for storage. This patience is rewarded with perfectly crisp granola!
Delicious Variations to Try
This pumpkin spice granola recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for numerous delicious adaptations to suit your taste and pantry staples. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!
- Add Coconut Flakes: For an extra layer of flavor and texture, mix in a couple of handfuls of unsweetened coconut flakes about halfway through the baking process. They’ll toast beautifully and add a subtle tropical note.
- Indulgent Chocolate Chips: Once the granola has cooled completely, fold in some chocolate chips. Dark chocolate chips are particularly delicious with the pumpkin spice flavor. The key is to add them after cooling to prevent them from melting.
- Fruit Swaps: Not a fan of cranberries? No problem! Swap them for other dried fruits like dried cherries, golden raisins, chopped dried apricots, apple, or dates. Each will lend a unique sweetness and chewiness.
- Oil Alternatives: If coconut oil isn’t your preference or readily available, you can easily substitute it with other neutral-flavored oils such as vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or even a light olive oil.
- Sweetener Options: Maple syrup provides a distinct flavor, but agave nectar or brown rice syrup can be used as alternatives for similar results.
- Nut and Seed Exploration: The pecans and pumpkin seeds are fantastic, but don’t limit yourself! Experiment with other nuts like walnuts, almonds, cashews, or different seeds such as sunflower seeds or flax seeds for varied textures and nutritional profiles.
If you’re looking for a simple, foundational granola recipe that can be adapted to any flavor profile, you might also love my basic vegan granola recipe!
Serving Suggestions for Your Granola
Once your homemade pumpkin spice granola is ready, the ways to enjoy it are endless. Here are some of our favorite serving ideas:
- Classic Breakfast: Serve it with your favorite plant-based milk (almond, oat, or soy milk work wonderfully) or a dollop of creamy vegan yogurt.
- Smoothie Bowl Topping: Sprinkle a generous amount over your morning smoothie bowl for added crunch, texture, and a burst of flavor.
- Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits: Layer granola with vegan yogurt and fresh or stewed fruit for a delightful parfait.
- On Top of Baked Goods: Use it as a crunchy topping for muffins, quick breads, or even apple crisps.
- By the Handful: Our personal favorite! It’s so addictive that simply snacking on it by the handful makes for a quick and satisfying energy boost anytime of day.
Storage Tips
Proper storage is key to keeping your granola fresh and crunchy. Once completely cooled, transfer the pumpkin spice granola to an airtight container. A large glass jar or a sealed plastic container works perfectly. Store it at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Stored this way, it will remain fresh and delicious for up to two weeks (though ours rarely lasts that long!).
More Delicious Vegan Pumpkin Recipes to Explore
If you’re as enamored with pumpkin as we are, especially during the colder months, you’re in for a treat! Pumpkin is an incredibly versatile ingredient, lending itself beautifully to both sweet and savory dishes. After you’ve enjoyed this delightful granola, why not explore some of our other favorite vegan pumpkin recipes? Each one offers a unique way to savor the rich, comforting flavors of pumpkin.
- Pumpkin layer cake with cinnamon buttercream and maple pecans: An impressive and utterly delicious dessert for any occasion.
- Pumpkin bread rolls: Soft, fluffy rolls with a hint of pumpkin, perfect for dinner or sandwiches.
- Vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies: A classic cookie with a fall twist, soft and perfectly spiced.
- Vegan sweet potato bread with pecan streusel (ok, so not technically pumpkin but pretty close and equally delicious!): A moist and flavorful quick bread with a crunchy topping.
- Vegan pumpkin pancakes: Start your day with these fluffy, spice-infused pancakes.
- Pumpkin chocolate chip cake bars: Easy-to-make bars that are perfect for a snack or dessert.
- Vegan pumpkin mac and cheese: A creamy, comforting savory dish that’s perfect for a cozy evening.
- Stuffed mini pumpkins with cranberry and pecan rice: An elegant and flavorful side dish or light meal.
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Pumpkin Spice Granola (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 300 g (3 cups) jumbo rolled oats
- 100 g (1 cup) pecans
- 75 g (½ cup) pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 ¼ tsp mixed spice/pumpkin spice
- ½ tsp salt
- 60 g (¼ cup) coconut oil
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) maple syrup
- 80 g (⅓ cup) pumpkin puree
- 40 g (3 Tbsp) light brown soft sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 140 g (1 cup) dried cranberries
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 160C/320F/gas mark 3. Line a roasting tray with baking parchment.
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In a large bowl, toss together the oats, pecans, pumpkin seeds, mixed spice and salt.
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Place the coconut oil, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, sugar and vanilla extract in a pan over a low heat and stir until melted and smooth.
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Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir really well until everything is well coated.
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Tip the mixture into the prepared roasting tray and spread it out into a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes then give it a good stir and return to the oven for a further 20 minutes until lightly golden. It will not yet feel completely dry to the touch but will crisp up as it cools.
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Leave to cool on the tray. If it doesn’t become crisp when it cools then you can return it to the oven for 10 minutes.
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Once it is cool, stir in the dried cranberries then transfer to an airtight container.
