Fall is my favorite season.  The cool breezes, the leaves crunching beneath my feet, the smell of bonfires, the warm cups of hot chocolate, football game get togethers, and pumpkin spice everything!  I like to find every possible way I can to incorporate pumpkin and pumpkin spice in to my fall cooking and this easy Pumpkin Pie Spiced Granola is our latest family favorite! 

This stuff is so easy to throw together and tastes lovely with Greek yogurt drizzled with honey or maple syrup for a fun pumpkin spice themed breakfast.  Layer it to make a beautiful parfait, eat it on it’s own bagged up as a portable snack or throw it in a mason jar and tie with a ribbon as a fun food gift!  

You can absolutely switch out or add ingredients to this.  If you don’t like pepitas, substitute walnuts or pecans.  Throw in some chocolate chips, craisins, raisins or coconut.  There are so many possibilities with granola to make your perfect trail mix!  You will love the way this smells as it bakes in the oven – it’s fall spice perfection!  This granola gets crunchier as it cools, so don’t worry if you pull it out and it doesn’t seem crunch enough.  Just leave it on the pan and let it cool.

Ingredients:

1. Preheat oven to 325 and grease a large baking sheet (18×13) or two smaller baking sheets (15×10 or 13×9)
2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats and pumpkin seeds.
3. In a small saucepan, whisk together the canned pumpkin, brown sugar, honey, canola oil, water, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt.
4. Bring mixture to a boil, whisking frequently, then remove from heat, pour over oats and stir together well.
5. Spread the mixture evenly on to the large baking sheet or divide it between two smaller ones.
6. Bake 45-50 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes until golden brown and starting to crisp.
7. Remove from oven and let cool on the pan for 20-30 minutes. (It will crisp up further while cooling.)
8. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks!