Homemade Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola: Your Ultimate Healthy Fall Breakfast & Snack

Experience the warmth of autumn in every bite with this delightful Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola. Crafted to be gluten-free, with no added oil, and completely refined-sugar-free, it features the wholesome goodness of pumpkin purée and crunchy pecans. This versatile granola is perfect for a nourishing breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a delightful topping for your favorite desserts.

There’s something truly magical about autumn, and for many of us, that magic comes in a can of pumpkin purée. Today, I found myself stocking up on this vibrant orange goodness once again. Every time I load my cart with armfuls of those 15 oz. cans, I tell myself, “Yes, this is definitely enough to last through pumpkin season.” Yet, it never is, and this trip will likely be no different. Why? Because pumpkin is simply irresistible, and in my world, pumpkin season is truly a 365-day affair!

Lately, my current obsession has been this incredible Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola. It’s not only bursting with cozy fall flavors but also ticks all the boxes for a healthy, wholesome treat: it’s naturally gluten-free, requires no added oils, and is completely free from refined sugars. What’s even better? You’re less than ten ingredients and just about 30 minutes away from creating your new favorite fall staple!

Why You Should Make Homemade Granola

In our busy lives, some things, like reading a good book or playing a musical instrument, often get pushed aside. For me, making homemade granola sometimes falls into that category. It’s always on my to-do list, yet often gets forgotten amidst daily chores. However, every time I do carve out the time, I’m immensely grateful. There’s an unparalleled satisfaction that comes from having a big batch of freshly baked granola waiting on your kitchen counter. It truly feels like the ultimate act of self-care.

Just this morning, I opened up a bag, inhaled deeply, and squeezed it gently to release all that wonderful pumpkin spice essence directly into my nostrils. The aroma alone is enough to convert anyone, my friends – smelling it is believing! Beyond the sensory pleasure, making your own granola offers a multitude of benefits:

• Control Over Ingredients: Commercial granolas can often hide surprisingly high amounts of sugar, unhealthy oils, and artificial preservatives. By making it yourself, you have complete control, ensuring a clean, wholesome product made with ingredients you trust. This recipe specifically avoids added oils and refined sugars, using natural binders and sweeteners.
• Cost-Effective: Buying gourmet granola can be quite expensive. Crafting it at home is generally more budget-friendly, especially when you buy ingredients like oats and nuts in bulk.
• Customization Options: The possibilities are endless! You can tailor your granola to your exact preferences, experimenting with different nuts, seeds, spices, and dried fruits. Love almonds? Swap them in! Want more cinnamon? Go for it! This recipe provides a fantastic base to build upon.
• Unbeatable Freshness and Aroma: Nothing compares to the smell of freshly baked granola permeating your home. It’s an inviting, comforting aroma that store-bought versions simply can’t replicate. Plus, the taste of freshly toasted oats and nuts is far superior.
• Health Benefits: With wholesome ingredients like oats (rich in fiber), pecans (healthy fats and antioxidants), pumpkin (Vitamin A and fiber), and natural maple syrup, homemade granola offers sustained energy and a host of nutrients to start your day right or fuel your body as a snack.

What You Need to Make Irresistible Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola

Creating this delicious, wholesome granola requires just a handful of simple, nourishing ingredients. Most of these are likely already staples in your pantry, making this a quick and accessible recipe to whip up whenever a pumpkin craving strikes. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Gluten-Free Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: The foundation of our granola, providing hearty texture and a good source of fiber. Ensure they are certified gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.
• Pecans: These add a rich, buttery flavor and satisfying crunch, along with healthy fats and antioxidants.
• Pepitas (Raw Pumpkin Seeds): A wonderful source of magnesium, zinc, and additional texture. They perfectly complement the pumpkin theme.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: The essential spice blend that defines the “pumpkin spice” flavor we all love, typically including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
• Cinnamon: An extra dash of this warming spice enhances the overall fall flavor profile.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice, offering a distinct, rich flavor that pairs beautifully with pumpkin and provides natural sweetness without refined sugars.
• Pumpkin Purée (not pumpkin pie filling!): This is crucial for adding authentic pumpkin flavor, moisture, and acting as a natural binder. Make sure you grab pure pumpkin purée, not the pre-sweetened and spiced pie filling.
• Georgia Grinders Pecan Butter (or your favorite nut or seed butter): This creamy butter adds richness, helps bind the granola, and contributes a subtle, nutty depth. While I highly recommend Georgia Grinders Pecan Butter for its exceptional quality, feel free to substitute with almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.

That’s it! With these foundational ingredients, you’re ready to embark on your homemade granola adventure.

The Perfect Pair: Pumpkin and Pecan

Baking with pumpkin truly is a joy, as it brings so many wonderful qualities to the table. Beyond its iconic flavor, pumpkin purée keeps things wonderfully moist, imparts a beautiful orange hue, and contributes a creamy texture. In this recipe, pumpkin doesn’t just deliver a generous dose of fall flavor and Vitamin A; it also acts as an excellent natural binding agent, holding all our granola ingredients together without the need for added oils.

The magic happens when you mix this creamy pumpkin purée with the rich, slightly salty Georgia Grinders Pecan Butter and pure maple syrup. This combination forms the perfect liquid base, coating every oat and nut with a delicious, cohesive mixture. The pecan butter, with its inherently rich, buttery texture and subtle saltiness, is an ideal partner to the sweet, earthy notes of pumpkin and the distinct warmth of maple. It adds a depth of flavor and a luxurious mouthfeel that truly elevates this granola.

Once you combine this delectable base with the oats, crunchy pecans, and nutrient-packed pumpkin seeds, all seasoned with a generous pinch of pumpkin pie spice and a dash of cinnamon, you’re well on your way to achieving granola greatness!

How to Achieve Perfectly Chunky Granola

If you’ve ever tried my other granola recipes, you know I have a strong preference for chunky granola! There’s nothing quite as satisfying as biting into substantial clusters of toasted oats and nuts. The secret to achieving these coveted granola clusters lies in a simple yet crucial technique, which I’ve refined over time, similar to the method used in my Oil-Free Chunky Tahini Granola. The key is to bake the granola in a single, thin, compact layer.

Once you’ve spread your granola mixture evenly across the parchment-lined baking sheet, make sure to press it down firmly with a spatula or your hands. This compression helps the ingredients meld together as they bake, forming a cohesive slab. During the baking process, it’s important to rotate the pan halfway through for even cooking, but resist the urge to stir! Stirring will break up the clusters before they have a chance to solidify.

The absolute most important step for achieving those glorious chunks comes after baking. No matter how incredible your kitchen smells, and no matter how eager you are to taste it (and trust me, you’ll be eager!), do not touch that pan for at least 15 minutes after removing it from the oven. Allowing the pumpkin spice granola slab to cool completely, undisturbed, is critical. As the granola cools, the natural sugars from the maple syrup harden, cementing the clusters together. Breaking it apart too soon will result in a crumbly texture rather than chunky. The chunkiness is worth the wait, I promise!

However, if you prefer a looser, more crumbly granola, that’s perfectly fine too! In that case, you can use two baking sheets to spread the granola out more thinly, ensuring the pieces don’t overlap. Then, stir the granola several times while baking to encourage an even, loose crumble.

Creative Ways to Serve Your Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola

This Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola is an absolute gem to have on hand, especially during the fall season, but honestly, it’s delightful year-round. Made with easily accessible pantry ingredients, it’s a versatile staple you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again. Its rich flavor and satisfying crunch make it perfect for a variety of uses:

• Breakfast Bowl Staple: Enjoy it classic style! Pour a generous helping into a bowl and serve with your favorite plant-based milk (almond, oat, or soy milk work wonderfully) or a dollop of creamy vegan yogurt. Add some fresh fruit like sliced apples or bananas for an extra touch of freshness.
• On-the-Go Snack: Grab a handful (or two!) straight from the bag for a quick and energizing snack any time of day. It’s perfect for warding off those mid-afternoon hunger pangs.
• Dessert Topping: Elevate simple desserts by sprinkling this granola over them. It adds incredible texture and a burst of fall flavor to baked apples, fruit crumbles, vegan ice cream, or even a basic fruit parfait.
• Smoothie Bowl Boost: Add a crunchy texture and extra nutrients to your morning smoothie bowl by sprinkling this granola on top.
• Salad Topping (Savory Twist): For an unconventional but delicious twist, try sprinkling a small amount over a fall-inspired salad with ingredients like roasted butternut squash, kale, and a maple-tahini dressing. The sweet and savory combination is surprisingly good!

Variations and Customizations:

One of the best parts about homemade granola is how easily it can be adapted to your preferences and what you have available:

• Grain-Free Option: If you’re looking for an entirely grain-free version, simply substitute the rolled oats with an equivalent blend of chopped nuts and seeds. Almonds, walnuts, cashews, and extra pumpkin seeds would be excellent choices.
• Nut and Seed Swaps: Don’t have pecans or pepitas? No problem! You can easily change the nuts and seeds to match whatever you have on hand in your pantry. Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or even a mix of several types would work beautifully. Just maintain the overall quantity.
• Nut/Seed Butter Alternatives: If pecan butter isn’t available, or you prefer a different flavor profile, you can absolutely substitute it for your favorite nut or seed butter. Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter will all provide a similar binding effect and richness, creating a slightly different but equally delicious granola.
• Extra Spices: Feel free to adjust the spices to your taste. A pinch of ground ginger, nutmeg, or allspice can further enhance the fall flavors.
• Sweetener Adjustments: While maple syrup is perfect here, you could experiment with agave nectar or date syrup if you have a different natural liquid sweetener preference.
• Post-Bake Add-ins: For extra indulgence, once the granola has completely cooled, you can fold in dried cranberries, chocolate chips (dairy-free for vegan), or shredded coconut flakes.

This Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola truly is a versatile and delicious recipe that you’ll want to make again and again. Enjoy the process of creating it, and even more, enjoy savoring every wholesome bite!

How to Store Your Homemade Granola

Once your Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola has completely cooled – and this is key to maintaining its crunchiness – transfer it to an airtight container. A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or a resealable bag works perfectly. Store it at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Stored properly, your delicious homemade granola will stay fresh and crunchy for several weeks, ready to be enjoyed whenever a craving strikes!

More Homemade Granola Recipes to Explore

If you’ve fallen in love with making your own granola, you’re in luck! The world of homemade granola is vast and delicious. Here are some other fantastic recipes to inspire your next batch:

• Oil-Free Chunky Tahini Granola

• Strawberry Almond Butter Banana Granola

• Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola

• SunButter Gingerbread Granola

• Chocolate Almond Butter Granola

• Sweet Potato Spice Granola

• Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola

• Triple Berry Granola

We Want to Hear From You!

If you give this delightful Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola a try, please let us know how it turned out! Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps us create even more delicious recipes for you to enjoy. Be sure to leave a comment, rating, and review below.

We’d also love to see your creations! Share your beautiful granola photos on Instagram and tag @flora_and_vino, using the hashtag #floraandvino. For more recipe inspiration, be sure to check out our Pinterest page and pin this recipe to make later.

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XO Lauren

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