Crunchy Pumpkin Granola

Pumpkin Granola
This granola is full of health benefits! 125 calories per 1/4 cup. (Without Buckwheat Groats)
It just keeps getting better!

I added 1 Cup of Buckwheat Groats and the granola was even better!

4 C Oats
1/2 C Sliced unsalted Almonds
1/3 C Pepitas (raw)
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon (add more cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice if you like)
1 Heaping tsp Raw sugar
1/3 C Organic canned pumpkin- Trader Joe's
1/4 C Honey
2 Tbsp Agave
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 tsp vanilla extract

Extra Honey if needed

Mix all dry ingredients except raw sugar (first 5), together in a large bowl and put aside. Combine wet ingredients and raw sugar in a small bowl then combine dry and wet ingredients. Spread on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Cook at 300 degrees for about 40 min. turning every ten minutes or so until medium brown. Taste granola, if it isn't sweet enough drizzle some honey over hot granola. Let cool. Note- finished granola will be slightly sweeter with the dried fruit. Usually, it is sweet enough.

When cool, add in
10 chopped apricots
1/3 C raisins
1/2 C of any other dried fruit you would like- I used cherries, cranberries and blueberries but apples would be good and if you can find dried sweet pumpkin that would be good, too.


Oats- Oats are a whole grain that helps to lower blood cholesterol while adding fiber to one’s diet.

Almonds- Almonds include a healthy fat that should be combined with grains to help slow the breakdown of sugar in the blood while adding protein to the diet and substance to keep a person feeling full.

Honey – Honey has many medicinal benefits and is a healthy alternative to sugar. Honey is lower on the glycemic index than sugar (sucrose) therefore it is a better choice for diabetics. Honey- gi-55. Sucrose- gi- 61. Honey is a good source of antioxidants.

Agave- Agave nectar or syrup has a low glycemic load and is a good natural sweetener.

Raw sugar- The minerals and nutrients that are striped from processed white sugar are not affected due to minimal processing of raw sugar. It is still sugar but at least we can get the benefits from the natural plant source! White sugar is processed with chemicals that our bodies don’t recognize as food and potentially could be harmful.

Pumpkin- High in fiber and vitamins C and E, pumpkin is a beneficial food. It is also high in magnesium, potassium and zinc.