Pumpkin Granola (2 ways)

Now that fall has arrived I thought I would try out some new pumpkin recipes. Pumpkin is not only incredibly popular but it’s also a very nutritious food. This granola is great on yogurt, mixed into the batter of my 2 ingredient banana pancakes, on top of peanut butter and banana toast or just as a quick and easy snack on the go.

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Pumpkin Spice Granola

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of oats

  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

  • 1/4 cup nut butter

  • 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

  • 1/2 cup nuts and/or dried fruit

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

  • Mix pumpkin, peanut butter, honey/maple syrup and spices in a bowl until well blended

  • Stir in oats

  • Add in nuts and dried fruit

  • spread mixture out onto baking dish, flattening down so its not too thick

  • Bake in the oven for 30 minutes stirring halfway through so it bakes evenly

  • Remove from oven, let cool, break apart into smaller pieces and enjoy!


Maple Pumpkin Granola (Vegan, GF, Nut free)

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Ingredients

  • 6 pitted dates

  • ¼ cup maple syrup

  • ½ cup pumpkin puree

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ½ tsp pumpkin spice

  • 1 tbsp flax meal

  • 2 cups oats

 

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  • Line baking dish with parchment paper

  • Heat dates and syrup in a saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes (until dates soften)

  • With a fork smash dates so they break up into the maple syrup

  • Turn heat down to low

  • Add vanilla, canned pumpkin and spices. Stir everything until well combined

  • Turn heat off

  • Stir in flax until well combined

  • Mix in oats

  • Spread mixture onto lined baking dish

  • Bake for 20 minutes (stirring halfway so it cooks evenly)

  • Let cool, then break up into small pieces and enjoy!  


Nutritional Benefits of Pumpkin: Pumpkin is a very nutritious food. It is high in vitamins and minerals while being low in calories. It’s also a great source of beta-carotene. Its nutrients and antioxidants may boost your immune system, protect your eyesight, lower your risk of certain cancers and promote heart and skin health.

Robin Goldberg