Pumpkin Spice Gluten Free Granola Parfaits

Homemade granola is one of our family’s favorite breakfast comfort foods. This pumpkin spice gluten free granola is perfect for fall and I get to control the ingredients. Storebought granola often has excess sugar and additives.

Homemade granola is also much cheaper than store bought granola. You need just a few ingredients and they are easily customizable.

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Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe

Everyone marks their calendars for September 1st because it’s THE day. You know – the day Pumpkin Spice becomes available again. It should be its own little holiday.

One of the grocery stores here comes out with a whole display full of pumpkin this and pumpkin spice that. One of the seasonal favorites in our house is a Pumpkin Spiced Cereal. It’s a whole grain “O” shaped cereal that has a touch of sweetness to it. The inspiration for this Pumpkin Spice Gluten Free Granola comes from that cereal.

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Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Granola

You need just a few ingredients to make this recipe as written. However, you can absolutely customize it. Add dried cranberries or chocolate chips. Substitute pumpkin seeds with sunflower seeds. You get the idea.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Steel cut oats
• Rolled oats
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Allspice
• Walnut pieces
• Raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• Melted coconut oil
• Granulated sweetener (coconut sugar, Swerve, sugar)
• Applesauce
• Maple syrup
• Pumpkin puree

How to Make Homemade Gluten Free Granola

I’ve been making homemade granola for years! It’s really simple to make. You just need to measure, pour, stir, bake.

Start by preheating the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients: oats, spices, nuts, seeds, and sweeter. In a separate small bowl combine the wet ingredients, applesauce, coconut oil, maple syrup, and pumpkin puree.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Mix until everything is even coated. Spread the granola mixture on the baking sheet.

Bake at 300° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and stir. Then, return to oven and bake for 10-15 more minutes or until golden. Honestly, the most difficult part of making granola at home is knowing when it is done.

Remember that granola will crisp up as it cools. If you leave it in the oven too long, it will burn.

Let your granola completely cool before serving.

Variations on Pumpkin Spice Granola

Like I said above, this homemade granola recipe can be easily changed. Add dried fruits. Substitute spiced apple butter or lemon curd instead of the pumpkin puree. There are endless combinations.

Leave out the nuts all together if you need a nut free recipe. Feel free to experiment with different sweeteners such as pure maple syrup or brown sugar.

Which Type of Oats Are Best for Granola?

This is a great question! The difference between steel cut oats, rolled, and quick cooked oats are how they are processed.

Steel cut oats are most like the original oat kernel without the hull and coarsely chopped. They have a coarse texture and a nutty flavor. They take longer to cook because they are less processed. Baking them into granola provides great texture and flavor.

Rolled oats have been steamed and flattened. They are often used in baking because they are softer and milder in flavor. I often use rolled oats in breads and cookies. In this recipe I use a 2:1 ratio of rolled to steel cut oats for different textures and flavors.

Quick oats is that last type of oats. They are thinner than rolled oats and are often used in hot cereals because they get mushy when cooked. I don’t like this type of oat for granola and don’t recommend it.

How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Granola

Granola can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, as a snack, or as a dessert. My daughter loves to eat this granola as a parfait. Simply layer granola with vanilla yogurt in a bowl or glass. Add fresh apple slices or other fresh fruit if you want.

We also take granola with us on hikes and camping. Granola makes a simple camping breakfast and snack.

Smoothie bowls are delicious, but have you tried adding a bit of granola to the top? Sprinkles of granola add just the right amount of crunch!

Store Homemade Granola

Once the granola is completely cooled, store it in an airtight container and keep it at room temperature. Granola can last up to 4 weeks when stored in this way.

More Pumpkin Recipes to Try

• The Ultimate Libby’s Pumpkin Roll Recipe: A Fall Favorite
• 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
• Easy No-Churn Pumpkin Ice Cream (dairy free recipe)
• Pumpkin Soup with Pesto Toast