RECIPE: Pumpkin Granola

Yes, I'm a bit obsessed with granola! Homemade granola is the only "cold cereal" my family eats. I've been know to go on rants about how ridiculously expensive (and lacking in nutrition) commercial cereals can be.

While I'm routinely urging folks to go forth and make their own granola, I've noticed there seems to be some misconception that homemade granola is a seriously labour-intensive endeavour. Not so! I can get a batch ready for the oven in under 5 minutes. Either hubby or I routinely does this while we're cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, so we're already in there when it needs to be taken out and stirred in-process.

Seriously, homemade granola is super easy to make, delicious, packed full of nutrients, and way less expensive than any boxed cereal you could buy. So what are you waiting for?

This pumpkin granola has a nice spicy kick to it, while the pumpkin flavour is fairly subtle. This is a perfect way to make good use of that jack o' lantern come Nov 1st!

Ingredients:

3½ cups rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

½ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

¼ tsp cloves

¼ tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp allspice

3 tbsp brown sugar

¼ cup honey

¼ cup coconut oil

⅓ cup pumpkin puree

Instructions:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, coconut, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and allspice. 
• In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, coconut oil and pumpkin puree. Heat gently and stir until thoroughly combined.
• Pour pumpkin mixture over oat mixture and stir until oats are evenly coated.Spread on a rimmed cookie sheet and bake at 300°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes. Let cool, then store at room temperature.

Makes about 6-10 servings

Optional add ins:

If you want to jazz up your granola even more, try adding any of the following:

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder (for Chocolate Pumpkin Granola – add to honey mixture)

• chopped walnuts or pecans

• dried cranberries (add after granola is baked and cooled)

• dried apple chunks (add after granola is baked and cooled)

Want even more granola options? Check out these recipes:

Chocolate Chai Granola

Chocolate Peanut Granola

Christmas Granola

For more simple, tasty and family-friendly recipes like this one, check out my book: Cheap Appétit: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 a Month (While Eating Better Than You Ever Thought Possible) 

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