Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Granola
Bring the flavor of pumpkin pie spice camping
Autumn is officially here, though signs of the season are mixed. Certain parts of the United States are enjoying a beautiful changing of the leaves, while other parts are seeing unseasonably warm weather. Both make for ideal outdoor excursions.
No matter where you live, though, you'll recognize an unchanging and ever-present hallmark of fall: pumpkin spice everything. Lattes and cookies alike waft that telltale scent this time of year, but just because the flavoring is everywhere doesn't mean it's a cliché. Sure, pre-packaged, mass-produced, chemical-laden junk food has appropriated pumpkin pie spice's popularity, but you can reclaim it for good.
This recipe for pumpkin pie spice granola yields a treat that packs on protein but avoids refined sugars. It's a perfect food for a boost of energy on a crisp autumn hike, a breakfast for a mist-shrouded morning in the mountains, or even a late-night snack at home. As a bonus, making it will fill your kitchen with a smell that will make it feel like autumn, whether the weather is cooperating or not.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups puffed quinoa
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup crisp dried apples
- 1/2 cup each: chopped almonds, chopped pecans, sunflower seeds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, raw cacao nibs
- 1/4 cup each: chia seeds, flax meal
- 2/3 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew, or sunflower)
- 2/3 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- Sea salt
Making the granola
Total time: 1 hour
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees and grease two large, rimmed cookie sheets.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, quinoa, coconut flakes, apples, nuts, seeds, cacao, and meal. Stir.
- In a smaller, microwave-safe bowl, combine the nut butter, coconut oil, syrup or honey, and spice. Heat for 1 to 2 minutes to liquefy the coconut oil. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until everything is evenly coated.
- Divide the mixture to spread it evenly between two baking sheets.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring the mixture and switching the pans between the upper and lower oven racks every 10 minutes. When it is ready, the granola will be golden colored and won't stick to the pan.
- Remove the pans from the oven, sprinkle with sea salt, allow the mixture to cool, and store it in an airtight container.
This granola can be eaten by the handful, in a bowl with milk, or sprinkled over yogurt. If you must know, it can also be used as an ice cream topping.
Tagged Camping Recipes