This recipe for homemade pumpkin granola is loaded with nutty pecans and studded with mini chocolate chips for the perfect hint of chocolatey goodness. Vegan + gluten-free.
Isaac is on the road a ton and we’ve found that granola is an easy snack option that he can take with him in the truck.
He can use it as a topping for yogurt, eat it by the handful when things get busy or add granola to a jar of peanut butter and eat it by the spoonful. The granola peanut butter trick is somewhat of a new thing he’s been doing. I’ve had peanut butter and granola together — mainly as a topping for yogurt and smoothie bowls, but I’ve never poured granola into a jar of nut butter and eaten it with a spoon. Not going to lie, it sounds amazing so I’ll have to try it soon.
Anyhow, given the granola snacking situation we have on our hands, I’ve been making more granola at home and this recipe is my latest creation.
I love the combo of pumpkin, maple and pecan on it’s own, but the chocolate chips give the granola a little hint of extra sweetness and make it tad more decadent. You add them to the granola right after baking, while the oat mixture is still warm, so they get melty and coat the oats and nuts a bit. It can get a little messy, but it’s so worth it!
If you really want to get the full pumpkin granola experience, I highly recommending making this pumpkin pie yogurt bowl with yogurt, pumpkin puree, homemade granola and a drizzle of nut butter. It’s SO good!
Chocolate Pecan Pumpkin Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free, if needed)
- 1 1/2 cup raw pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/3 cup mini vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°. Line a rimmed baking sheet or baking stone with parchment paper.
- Mix all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a large bowl.
- Spread mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 40-50 minutes or until oats are golden brown, dry and crisp. Allow the granola to cool for about 5 minutes, then sprinkle the chocolate chips over granola while it continues to cool. The chocolate chips will melt a bit.
- Once granola is completely cool, transfer to an airtight container (I use a mason jar) and store in a cool place. I like keeping mine in the fridge so it lasts longer and stays extra crunchy.
If you make this chocolate pecan pumpkin granola let me know how it turns out in the comment section or share a photo on social media. Just be sure to tag me (@eatingbirdfood + #eatingbirdfood) so that I see it!
You looked beautiful. 🙂
Looks like a great event! The granola looks delicious. I definitely prefer making granola over buying it…store bought is always way too sweet for me.
What a fun evening! Wine, good food, and cute dresses. Gotta love those nights out.
The granola sounds incredible!! I love making my own granola but I never seem to have the time.
Enjoy your night Brittany. 🙂
I love love love Aveda products! The salon I go to in the Fan uses them and they are seriously the best! Looks like a fun night 🙂
You’ve got me craving granola now…munch, munch.
Home-made granola is soo good! So cool that you guys won haircuts; sounds like that will be so fun!
A beautiful bowl of homemade granola, a lovely event in an idyllic spot, and a STUNNING girl to top the post off. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I wish I could have attended. And congrats on winning!
I love homemade granola and pumpkin…what a great recipe 🙂 Heading to check out your pumpkin pie overnight oats next…I think I have some time to set up a bowl before bed and am willing to bet it would be the perfect way to start my Monday 🙂
What a wonderful evening! And…you know I am loving the pumpkin goodness! YUM!
What a fun evening! You look so happy 🙂
I’ve never made granola and I love your fall take on it!
Wow, a wine frappe sounds amazing!! And this granola seriously looks out of this world!! I need to make some of that! 🙂
Thank you so much for posting the granola recipe! I’ve been buying some with very similar ingredients – but I will have to give it a DIY shot. I may even get crazy and throw in some roasted acron squash seeds 🙂
I loveee making granola & now that I have cans of punkin in my cupboard, I’ve been thinking about doing just what you did. Bookmarking and making this ASAP! Thanks =]
Wine frappe – intriguing. I’ve considered making wine smoothies before (and vodka smoothies, to be honest). Always looking for new ways to imbibe!
Virginia vineyards look pretty!
I remember making granola for the first time last year and realizing how easy it was!
I had to re-read that sentence about three times before realizing that you weren’t going to be featured in Elle magazine. I must still be in ‘work’ mode….
🙂
A wine frappe?! Sounds delicious! Always nice to meet a fellow foodie 🙂
Looks like a good ol time to me! I am all over that granola too. Looks great!
Yea for you!! Congrats on the Food n’ Wine!! So exciting..
xoox
I love making my own granola, but i haven’t done it in so long! I need to do it asap ! Your pictures from this event is gorgeous and I love that black dress.
Just discovered your blog. I’ve been wanting to make my own healthy granola and this recipe definitely looks great! Right now we buy granola from the store but its waay too sweet so I will be making this soon! 😉
Do you think this recipe would still taste right without the wheat germ? I cant have gluten, I was thinking of making the recipe exactly the way you have it minus the germ? Any thoughts?
It will definitely work without the wheat germ. 🙂
I’m so excited to make this. We just started my oldest son on a gluten free diet and he loves granola. I think he will have fun making it with me!
Awww yay!! I hope you all have a blast making this granola together. 🙂
This looks amazing, can’t wait to give it a try!
Thanks Emily!!
This looks so good! I really need to get into making my own granola vs always buying it!
Yes! It’s so much cheaper than store-bought, plus you get to decide what to put in it!! 🙂