Homemade Pumpkin Seed Granola: Your Ultimate Guide to a Delicious, Healthy, and Customizable Snack

Are you tired of store-bought granola that’s either too sweet, too dry, or filled with ingredients you can’t pronounce? Many commercially produced granolas often fall short, particularly with their use of overly dried fruit and a lack of fresh, vibrant flavors. That’s precisely why I’m thrilled to share my absolute favorite Pumpkin Seed Granola recipe with you today. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s my everyday go-to for a wholesome, satisfying snack that perfectly captures the essence of homemade goodness. Once you try this, you’ll understand why it’s a staple in my kitchen, providing that perfect crunch and comforting flavor every single time.

The true beauty of crafting your own granola lies in its incredible versatility. This particular recipe serves as a fantastic foundation, allowing you to tailor it precisely to your taste preferences. Whether you desire a sweeter profile to kickstart your morning or a more savory blend to complement a salad, the possibilities are endless. As a chef, I always recommend preparing a new recipe once to thoroughly understand its core structure and flavors. Then, on subsequent attempts, you can confidently infuse it with your unique culinary twist, making it truly your own.

For me, I often lean towards keeping this granola on the autumnal side, even enjoying it year-round. The warming spices and nutty flavors provide a comforting experience that transcends seasons. However, I’m also a big proponent of incorporating ingredients with health benefits. Occasionally, I like to boost this recipe with a touch of turmeric, especially as I’m always on the lookout for anti-inflammatory foods to support overall wellness. Turmeric is renowned for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties and its earthy flavor complements the pumpkin seeds beautifully.

If you decide to add turmeric, remember to include a few cracks of black pepper as well. Black pepper contains piperine, which is essential for activating the curcumin in turmeric, significantly enhancing its bioavailability and absorption. Rest assured, just a few cracks of black pepper will not drastically alter the flavor profile of your granola, but they will ensure you get the maximum health benefits from the turmeric. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in boosting the nutritional value of your homemade snack.

Crafting Your Own Pumpkin Seed Granola: A Simple Process

One of the most appealing aspects of making granola from scratch is its straightforward preparation. Typically, it involves simply combining all your ingredients in a bowl, mixing them thoroughly, and then baking until golden and crunchy. This particular pumpkin seed granola recipe has just one minor additional step: bringing the wet mixture to a gentle boil. This isn’t just an arbitrary step; it’s a best practice to ensure that the brown sugar completely dissolves, preventing a gritty texture and promoting an even caramelization across all the oats and nuts. This small detail ensures a perfectly cohesive and delightfully crunchy granola every time.

If your recipe exclusively used liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, you could easily skip the boiling step and simply incorporate them directly into your dry ingredients before baking. However, the inclusion of brown sugar in this recipe makes the brief boiling process worthwhile for achieving that ideal consistency and flavor. I genuinely believe that the satisfaction derived from making your own granola far surpasses that of purchasing it. You gain complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to customize it to your precise tastes and dietary needs, making it a truly rewarding kitchen project.

For this recipe, I had the pleasure of using some exquisite Maple Syrup and Honey provided by the Mohawk Valley Trading Company. Their commitment to high-quality, natural products truly shines through in their offerings. You can learn more about the purity and origin of their American honey by clicking HERE, and delve deeper into their exceptional maple syrup products HERE. Using premium ingredients like these truly elevates the final flavor of your homemade granola, making every bite a delight.

I highly encourage you to whip up a batch of this Pumpkin Seed Granola very soon. Not only is it perfect on its own, but it also transforms ordinary breakfasts into something truly extraordinary. For instance, it makes my Harvest Pumpkin Crunch Pancakes an absolute culinary event. The crunchy, nutty texture it adds to those fluffy pancakes is simply divine, creating a breakfast experience you’ll dream about. Trust me, you’ll want to have a jar of this incredible granola ready and waiting in your pantry. These pancakes, adorned with this homemade granola, are undoubtedly the most delicious nutty pumpkin pancakes you will ever have the pleasure of tasting!

Explore More of My Favorite Pumpkin Recipes

If your love for all things pumpkin runs as deep as mine, then you’re in for a treat! Be sure to explore the dedicated Pumpkin section of my website. It’s a treasure trove of autumn-inspired delights that you can enjoy year-round. There, you’ll discover cherished recipes like the wonderfully aromatic Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls, the delightfully comforting Pumpkin Milk, and, perhaps most enticing of all, the MOST DELICIOUS and perfectly chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies! Each recipe is designed to bring warmth, flavor, and a touch of seasonal joy to your kitchen.

Tips for Granola Perfection and Storage

Achieving perfectly crunchy granola with beautiful clusters is simpler than you might think. Beyond ensuring your wet ingredients are adequately heated to dissolve the sugar, consistent stirring during the baking process is key. Stirring every 5-7 minutes prevents the edges from burning while allowing the granola to toast evenly. Once baked to your desired golden brown, resist the urge to immediately break it apart. Allowing the granola to cool completely on the baking sheets, undisturbed, is crucial for forming those coveted clusters. As it cools, the sugars will harden, binding the oats and nuts together into delicious, bite-sized chunks.

Proper storage is essential to maintain the freshness and crispness of your homemade pumpkin seed granola. Once completely cooled, transfer the granola to an airtight container. A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or a heavy-duty zip-top bag works wonderfully. Stored at room temperature in a cool, dark pantry, your granola will remain fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can even freeze granola in an airtight container for up to three months. Just allow it to come to room temperature before serving for optimal texture.

📖 Recipe

Pumpkin Seed Granola

I love this granola in pancakes, on top of French toast, in yogurt and any other way you could imagine! If you are anything like me, you like to keep the fall feels all year long and this just helps make that a reality.

Ingredients

• 8 cup Rolled Oats
• 1 ½ cups Oat Bran
• 1 cup Pumpkin Seeds
• 1 cup Sliced Almonds
• 1 cup Cashew Pieces
• 1 cup Pecans
, pieces
• 1 cup Walnuts
, pieces
• 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher Salt
• ½ cup Brown Sugar
• ¼ cup Maple Syrup
• ¾ cup Honey
• 1 cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions

1. Combine the oats, oat bran, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, pecans, and walnuts in a bowl and toss to combine.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper or tin foil.
3. In a saucepan, combine the salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, pie spice, and vanilla and cook over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Stir until the brown sugar is dissolved and pour over the oat and nut mixture.
4. Stir well, until everything is evenly coated. Transfer to sheet pans and bake in the oven, stirring every five minutes or so. Bake for 20-30 minutes total, until evenly browned and toasted to your liking.
5. Enjoy!

Notes

Use this recipe to make my Harvest Pumpkin Crunch Pancakes and settle in for a fall to remember!

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving:
Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

We’d love to hear from you! If you tried this delicious Pumpkin Seed Granola recipe, please let me know by leaving a review or comment below. Your feedback helps other home cooks discover and enjoy these recipes. And for more culinary inspiration, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Plus, stay connected and follow along with all my latest creations on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!