I have a super easy and delicious Healthy Pumpkin Granola Recipe to share today. But first let’s talk about why being an adult is the worst…
Earlier today I found a chunk of a wasp nest in the patio… by stepping on it! What the heck?!
Luckily I think the wasps moved to a new, updated place probably closer to the ocean and it was empty. I’m kinda upset that I’m an adult (I’m just bad at adulting) and had to throw it away myself.
When did I sign up for that? I want a recount on whoever voted for me to be President of Bug Killing in my condo!! I resign.
But I did it!
I was brave.
Even though I really wanted to be like this…
Now I’m sipping tea and relaxing. Oh, and I’m playing hide-n-seek with Vegas.
Earlier today (before the wasp debacle) I thought up an idea for a healthier, lowfat version of granola.
I LOVE granola. It’s one of those foods I just can’t stop myself from devouring until it’s all gone. The bad thing is, most of the time granola is a very high calorie food. This means a small portion like 1/4 cup is supposed to be a serving.
Yeah right.
So, I threw together this recipe without oil to keep it lower fat than most. This way you can control how much fat goes into it based on how much nuts you add. Instead of oil I used pumpkin for moisture and a layer of flavor.
Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups oats
- 1/3 cup pumpkin (canned plain pumpkin)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup each: walnuts, raisins, dried cranberries & almonds
- salt & cinnamon (to taste)
- pumpkin pie spice (to taste – I use A LOT)
Directions:
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients.
Spread on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray.
Bake for 40-45 minutes – stir it every 15 minutes (about 3 times) for even cooking.
Let cool. Enjoy!
I can predict I’ll be having a pumpkin spice granola parfait for breakfast today!
I used this pumpkin yogurt from Trader Joe’s. It’s good!
Don’t forget to be FEARLESS today! #PassItOn
Nom nom! This looks like perfect autumn breakfast! I will add only tea or cappuccino 🙂
xoxo,
Emma
This looks amazing! I am definitely going to try that…
i also am a granola fiend — cannot be left alone around it. this looks amazingggg. pumpkin is my fave. have to try it!
Clearly, I need to send one of my cats to train Vegas. Bugs = free cat toys/food.
I have relatives who caught a squirrel in their house that turned out to be a flying squirrel. They put it in a big bird cage and have had it as a pet about 10 years now. Really amazing to watch him.
Um I almost crashed my car because a lizard popped up on my windshield. So no I’ve delegated bug extermination to my husband. ICK!
Oh my gosh no. That is scary.
That granola looks so good….grrr I want some. And funny you should mention bug killing. I had to kill a roach just the other day! My sister ran away and offered no help. I felt like such an adult having to go after it. Quite the feat. But also, terrifying.
I have to kill them. And it’s always gross. I don’t even want to wear the shoe that I used after it has the dead bug smear on it. Gross. That’s the worst part of being an adult.
Feel free to keep the pumpkin recipes coming! 😉 Fall is such a great time of the year for food!
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I don’t really like granola because of the texture but your recipe looks big and chunky and delicious. Appearance-wise it reminds me of the oat-free Paleonola I picked up recently. I have nothing against oats, I just like snacks I can pick up with my hands!
I once had to catch a squirrel that was living in my attic. Turns out it was a momma squirrel and I was afraid that we’d never get the babies out so we actually released her back in the attic. THAT felt weird!
Yeah, I like granola with big chunks. Oh no squirrel story, sounds kinda cute 🙂
I delegate when I can but just last night I had to kill a sizeable spider because my husband was already in bed. Then the next fear is picking them up with something to dispose of it. What if it is still alive!?!?!?!
I can not deal with bugs at all. They are the worst! I don’t know what I would do if I had to take care of them myself…I just scream and my fiance comes running and takes care of it. Reason #1 why I love him so much. This granola sounds SO good and looks amazing…must try it right away!
Love granola….and pumpkin everything! Looks good! Wasps in our area are really bad at the beginning of summer. They make nests everywhere! Under our deck, corner of the roof, between the cushions of our patio cushions…yes, found that one out the hard way by sitting on it! We found a really good wasp killer thingy that you hang, it attracts them to it then poisons them. I love animals, but I despise wasps 😀
yum that looks so good!!! let me tell you how much i hate wasp’s nests! I was attached by them when i was a kid and now have a healthy respect for not touching that crap ever! good think there were none in there that would have been HORRIBLE
No joke I had a squirrel in my apartment once. And instead of trying to fight it, I immediately ran outside and called my friends to tell them how hilarious (and terrifying) it was. Then I called the landlord.
Delegate is always my first choice. Always!
If hubs isn’t home, I will do it. First I ask my son (he’s 14); next step in becoming a good man–killing bugs for the ladies in the house!
The pumpkin granola looks LEGIT–need to try it. 🙂
Yeah adult life isn’t all its cracked up to be. There’s a reason I never wanted to grow up. My favorite childhood memory is NOT HAVING BILLS!
YUM! This is going to be the next recipe I take on for sure. I LOVE pumpkin. What are your thoughts on substituting raw honey for the maple syrup?
Pumpkin pie spice for days…… always! The best. 🙂
LOVE granola. and who can say no to pumpkin spice anything this time of year?
True story: I beat my husband home from work last week and saw a spider on the ceiling. I calmly pulled a chair into the room and grabbed a shoe…and then I sat and stared at the spider (for almost 10 minutes, ridiculous I know) until he got home and could kill it. I hate creepy crawly things!!!
I am the bug killer. But I let spiders live. They eat the other bugs 🙂
That’s a must try recipe! Btw, love your mug 🙂 Can you please list the nutrients on this recipe? Thanks!
Subbing pumpkin for oil is genius 🙂