This healthy pumpkin granola infused with warm spices, real pumpkin, and toasty pecans and pepitas is loaded with giant clusters for the ultimate fall snack! (gluten-free, vegan option)

This post was originally published Nov 2015 and has been updated.

Every fall when I make this homemade pumpkin granola, I fall more in love with it. (Pun intended!) I absolutely love having homemade granola around and this one is no exception. It's perfect for drenching in milk and eating by the spoonful, topping yogurt, or adding to a pretty brunch board, and it's sure to get you in the mood for all things fall!

Why You'll Love This Pumpkin Granola

It's made with healthy, real-food ingredients and no refined sugar. It's also much lower in sugar than packaged granolas.
It's perfectly spiced with pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and a hint of sweetness. Toasty pecans and pepitas add a nice crunch.
It's loaded with giant granola chunks!
It's super easy to make with just one bowl and one pan.

How To Make Healthy Pumpkin Granola

In a large bowl, whisk all of the wet ingredients together until nice and smooth.
Add the dry ingredients and stir to coat everything well.
Press the mixture into a single tight layer on a baking sheet.
Bake without stirring.
Cool completely before breaking into clusters.

How To Get Chunky Granola Clusters

I’m going to let you in on a little secret for how to get those gorgeous, giant clusters in your granola. It’s not even hard. What you’re going to do is pack the oat mixture tightly onto your baking sheet in a single layer so that you can’t see the sheet underneath it. Then you’re going to stick it in the oven and bake it WITHOUT stirring. I repeat DO NOT STIR. Once the granola is finished baking, take it out and let it cool completely. It will set into one giant cluster that you can then break into the granola clusters of your dreams. You’re welcome.

Tips and Ingredient Substitutions

This pumpkin granola isn't super sweet. That's on purpose because I don't like mine super sweet. Add more honey if you like.
For a vegan option, use maple syrup instead of honey.
You can use melted coconut oil instead of avocado oil.
You can swap the pecans or pepitas for any nuts. Walnuts would be fabulous too!
Cook longer for a more crunchy granola, and less time for a softer granola.

Ideas For Serving Pumpkin Granola

I like to use this on top of some greek yogurt for a quick snack or drown it in some milk to eat by the spoonful for breakfast, but I've also used it to top my pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin overnight oats. Or just grab a handful to snack on by itself!

More Healthy Homemade Granola Recipes

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Healthy Pumpkin Granola

Print Recipe

This healthy pumpkin granola infused with warm spices, real pumpkin, and toasty pecans and pepitas is loaded with giant clusters for the ultimate fall snack! (gluten-free, vegan option)

Author: Kaleigh
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: about 5 cups 1x
Category: breakfast
Method: baked
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

⅓ cup canned pumpkin puree
¼ cup honey or maple syrup
3 tbsp neutral flavored oil, such as avocado oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup crispy brown rice cereal
½ cup chopped pecans
¼ cup pepitas
2 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)
1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, honey, oil and vanilla.
Add oats, rice cereal, pecans, pepitas, flaxseed, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt. Stir to evenly coat everything.
Pour onto prepared baking sheet and press evenly into a single, tight-fitting layer. You shouldn't be able to see any of the baking sheet underneath.
Bake 30-35 minutes. Do NOT stir. Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking into pieces.
Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.