Protein-packed Pumpkin Spice Granola

I actually cannot believe it has taken me this long to get you all a pumpkin recipe! Because, quite simply, I LOVE pumpkin! Except for pumpkin pie, which is weird I know, but most other things flavored with pumpkin is good in my book. There’s something so comforting about the flavors of fall and pumpkin is like the ultimate fall flavor! I’m constantly trying to think of new ways to incorporate it into dishes…although I will admit that it definitely goes to far sometimes. Gum, vodka, beer, toothpaste, butter…I mean come on! We’ve got to draw the line somewhere.

But GRANOLA & Pumpkin!? Now that’s a match made in heaven! I really just adapted my easy granola recipe and luckily it turned out perfectly! That granola recipe gives you an option to use date paste or pure maple syrup…I used pure maple syrup for the pumpkin version and have not tried date paste yet so I’m not sure how that would work with this recipe…but if you try it let me know! I also used Cashew Butter instead of Peanut Butter in this recipe because it has more of a neutral taste and does not overpower the pumpkin. You could also use Almond Butter!

I love to make my granola in big batches to have throughout the week, take on road trips, or throw in a little baggy for when me and my boys are out and about. It keeps us full and satisfied. We eat it plain, with some almond milk, or add fruit to it and it’s delicious every time. It’s the perfect snack, breakfast or dessert! With the holidays coming up, this granola would make perfect gifts for teachers, neighbors, and friends! Doesn’t it always feel so nice giving something homemade to the ones you love and appreciate the most?! It’s such a personal touch…another reason why I love this time of year!

For an extra nutritional kick I added a hearty helping of hemp seeds which provide a ton of protein…you could also keep going on the pumpkin train and use pumpkin seeds!

Protein-packed Pumpkin Granola

Alix | October 2019

• prep time: 5 minutes
• cook time: 30 minutes
• total time: 35 minutes

Servings: Makes about 4 cups

Ingredients:

• 4 Cups Old Fashioned Oats (look for certified gluten-free if necessary)
• 1/3 Cup Pureed Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1/2 Cup Pure Maple Syrup (not pancake syrup)
• 1/2 Cup Cashew Butter (with nothing added, ingredients should be cashews & salt)
• 1 t. Salt
• 1 t. Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1/4 Cup Hemp Hearts

  Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 320 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together your pumpkin puree, cashew butter, pure maple syrup, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until well combined
• In a large bowl combined your oats and hemp hearts
• Pour your wet mixture into your oats and hemp hearts and stir until combined.
• Pour your granola onto your lined baking sheet and bak for 10 minutes. Take out and stir granola then bake for another 10 minutes. You'll repeat this one last time. Set a piece of granola in a small dish or plate--it should harden and become crunchy within a couple of minutes. If it does not, then pop it back in the oven for another few minutes.

Nutrition: