It’s pumpkin pie season! Raise your hand if you’re ready for Thanksgiving. I know I am. One of our Thanksgiving table staples growing up was pumpkin pie. I’ve learned recently that many people don’t actually eat pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. And of those who eat it, many seem to do so grudgingly. Pumpkin pie isn’t just a staple for me, I think it’s absolutely delicious! I look forward to it every year and think a Thanksgiving table without it isn’t complete. But that’s just me. For my fellow pumpkin pie fans out there, here’s something to tide you over – a Healthy Pumpkin Pie Spice Granola Recipe!

Oil-Free Granola Recipe

As long time readers know, I love to make oil-free granola thanks to fruit based mixtures with applesauce or canned pumpkin. This Healthy Pumpkin Pie Spice Granola Recipe is made with the latter. Canned pumpkin instead of oil. You won’t even miss it. Toss in a little pumpkin pie spice, and you get a delicious breakfast granola.

Health Benefits of This Healthy Pumpkin Pie Spice Granola Recipe

Pecans for Anti-Inflammatory Benefits and More

I thought about just adding pepitas (pumpkin seeds), which seemed like the obvious crunchy ingredient, but the pecans add a nice, buttery taste to the mix. I know pecans aren’t traditionally in pumpkin pie, but just go with it. It’s worth adding the pecans in for the texture and flavor.

This article at draxe.com about pecan health benefits shares:

There are numerous potential pecans health benefits, including increased weight loss, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, improved heart health, better brain function and more.

Good to know since so many holiday foods have pecans in them.

Canned Pumpkin for Your Immune System and More

Canned pumpkin is a great staple to have in your pantry during the fall and holiday season. It stores well and can easily be added to many recipes. But canned pumpkin is also a nutritional powerhouse.

According to this article at draxe.com about canned pumpkin health benefits:

Benefits include supplying you with vitamins A, C and K; fiber; potassium; manganese; and more. These help support healthy eyes/vision, skin, a strong immune system, and cardiovascular, digestive and skeletal health.

Good stuff! It’s so great that it boosts your immune system. This makes it festive AND functional for the fall/holiday time of year. Win-win!

Of course, there are plenty more health benefits in the oats, pepitas/pumpkin seeds, and flaxseed, but I wanted to share more about pecans and canned pumpkin especially.

Getting the Perfect Granola Texture

And about that texture, the optional brown rice syrup will help give this granola a stickiness and chewiness that I really enjoy. I love when the granola clusters up a bit, so I do recommend adding that extra ingredient to this Healthy Pumpkin Pie Spice Granola Recipe. Brown rice syrup is great for many recipes (including this healthy coconut macaroon one).

Healthy Pumpkin Pie Spice Granola Recipe

Author: Diana of thechiclife.com
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Yield: 8 1x
Category: Breakfast

Print Recipe

Description

I love using canned pumpkin to make oil-free granola, so I decided to pull together some classic dessert flavors to make this Healthy Pumpkin Pie Spice Granola Recipe. Whip up a batch for your family or to give out as gifts to friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Serve with milk or my favorite way – over yogurt.
*Vegetarian, Vegan*

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups rolled old fashioned oats
1/2 cup chopped pecans, chopped
1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
2 tablespoons flaxseed, optional
1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown rice syrup, optional
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients oats, pepitas, flaxseed (if using), and pumpkin pie spice, and stir to mix well.
In a medium bowl, combine wet ingredients canned pumpkin, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, additional sweetener (if using), vanilla, and salt and stir with a whisk to mix well.
Add wet mixture to dry mixture and stir until wet mixture is evenly distributed.
Pour granola mixture onto prepared baking sheet and spread to an even layer.
Bake, stirring every 15 minutes for 45-60 minutes, or until granola is browned to preference.
Set aside to cool to room temperature. Serve with yogurt or milk.

Notes

Note: If you really love pumpkin pie spice, you may want to add a little extra (maybe 1/2 teaspoon?). Mix up the ingredients, taste test, and add more till you’re happy with the flavor.