Chocolate pumpkin granola is an easy recipe you can make ahead and have on hand for breakfast or snacking. It’s naturally gluten-free and vegan.

Yay for Friday! I've been battling a cold for almost a week now and I'm about ready to be D.O.N.E.

Especially with two birthday parties and a pumpkin patch trip planned for this weekend. And laundry I've been putting off. And off some more. No time for sickness. (Of course, there never is...)

Today though, let's talk some breakfast deliciousness.

I’ve been making this chocolate pumpkin granola on a weekly basis for over a month now. It’s so addictive and just the way I want to start the day.

It’s also one of those foods, once I have it in the pantry, and I know it’s there, it calls to me. And I cannot resist the call. I grab a handful here and there and then I finally give in and just fill up a bowl.

So. Freakin. Good.

So you know my love for chocolate + pumpkin, right? It’s well documented. I recently shared my pumpkin baked oatmeal with chocolate chips — another breakfast favorite -- and I’ve also got my pumpkin chocolate chip mini muffins, chocolate pumpkin cake, and just last week it was my banana pumpkin chocolate chip cake.

Today I continue that trend with some homemade granola.

I love my easy 5-ingredient granola but I’m always changing things up and trying different flavors. We’re a granola loving family through and through.

Wanna know the sorta terrible reason I love giving my kids granola for an afternoon snack?

It takes them FOREVER to eat it. It’s all those small crunchy bites to pick up and chew.

And all that time they sit there crunching, quietly plodding their way through a little snack container of granola? I can finish up work for my day job. Catch up on a couple of emails. Take a few minutes to prep something for dinner. Clean up the kitchen. Anything. Peace and quiet (minus the chewing).

It’s awful, I know, but it’s divine. So I have granola on hand A LOT. 😉

For me, I usually eat it with some plain Greek yogurt for a morning parfait of sorts.

But this chocolate pumpkin granola? I eat it on its own. By itself. Nothing with it. I don’t want anything interfering with this granola.

But you feel free to add on, mix in, doctor up and fix it however you like!

A few notes on this chocolate pumpkin granola:

Name: Chocolate pumpkin granola
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups oats (I use old fashioned); 1 1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder; 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup maple syrup; 1/3 cup pumpkin puree; 2 tablespoons canola oil (or melted butter or coconut oil); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

I’ve made this with maple syrup and with honey. I prefer the maple syrup — it goes so well with pumpkin — but you can use honey if that’s all you have on hand.
I like to add the mini chocolate chips about 5 minutes after the granola has come out of the oven, while it’s cooling on the sheet pan. This allows the chocolate chips to slowly melt and incorporate into the granola. If you wait until the granola is mostly cooled, the chocolate chips will stay intact but will sink to the bottom and be hard to scoop. That's no fun.
Be sure to check all of your ingredients carefully if you need this to be gluten free.
This recipe is vegan if you use a vegan chocolate chip substitute.
I use canola oil in this recipe because it helps add a bit of richness. You can omit it but the granola will be a little less well-rounded. You also can substitute coconut oil or melted butter if you prefer.

Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

XO,

Kathryn

Yield: About 3 cups

Chocolate pumpkin granola

An easy recipe to make ahead for breakfast or snacking. Gluten-free and vegan.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

2 ½ cups oats (I use old fashioned)
1 ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup maple syrup
⅓ cup pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons canola oil (or melted butter or coconut oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 315. Yes, 315. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine maple syrup, pumpkin puree, canola oil and vanilla.
Add oats, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt and stir to get everything well coated.
Spread granola onto parchment-paper lined baking sheet and smooth out into an even layer.
Bake at 315 for 40 minutes, turning halfway through to flip over the granola pieces.
Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Add mini chocolate chips and stir using a spatula to help them get combined and melted.
Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a jar or plastic container. Granola will keep at room temperature for up to a week.

Notes

I’ve made this with maple syrup and with honey. I prefer the maple syrup, but you can use honey if that’s all you have on hand.

Be sure to check your ingredients carefully if you need this to be gluten free.

This recipe is vegan if you use a vegan chocolate chip substitute.

I use canola oil in this recipe because it helps add a bit of richness. You can omit it but the granola will be a little less well-rounded. You also can substitute coconut oil or melted butter if you prefer.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

⅓ cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 176Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 122mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 3gSugar: 10gProtein: 3g

Comments

Tara | Treble in the Kitchen

October 14, 2016 at 7:21 am

You certainly have a busy weekend ahead!! I can totally see why you have been making this granola on repeat…the flavors sound so good 🙂

- Kathryn
  
  October 15, 2016 at 9:09 am
  
  Thanks Tara! It's a fall favorite here!
  
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

October 14, 2016 at 7:51 am

Ah! All those classic pumpkin spice/pie granola recipes have nothing on one with CHOCOLATE!

- Kathryn
  
  October 15, 2016 at 9:09 am
  
  I couldn't agree more Rebecca 😉
  
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food

October 14, 2016 at 8:07 am

You know what? I was just talking to hubby the other day about making granola and then this comes along 🙂 How lucky am I? I absolutely love your combo of chocolate and pumpkin. What a perfect snack to have on its own or even over yogurt. This one is going in rotation for sure. Pinned, of course. Hope your cold is getting better!! Have a great weekend! xo

- Kathryn
  
  October 15, 2016 at 9:10 am
  
  I was making this just for you Dawn 😉 Have a wonderful weekend! XO
  
Shashi at RunninSrilankan

October 14, 2016 at 6:17 pm

What is it about those first Fall colds - they are the worst - I've been battling one too - I sure hope you recover completely in time for this weekend!
And wow - I simply love homemade granola and ooh pumpkin+chocolate is like PB&J - a match made in heaven! 🙂

- Kathryn
  
  October 15, 2016 at 9:10 am
  
  Hope you feel better!! And 100% agree on chocolate + pumpkin - LOVE it!!
  
Kelli

October 16, 2016 at 7:07 pm

This looks delicious! Love the chocolate + Pumpkin combo!

- Kathryn
  
  October 16, 2016 at 8:20 pm
  
  Thanks Kelli! One of my favorites!!
  
kate @ Framed Cooks

October 16, 2016 at 7:20 pm

I love granola in general, but chocolate and pumpkin?? Granola mic drop, Kathryn - yay YOU!

- Kathryn
  
  October 16, 2016 at 8:19 pm
  
  Haha, yes Kate!! It's pretty much the ultimate 😉
  
Janette

January 05, 2017 at 7:45 am

I love this recipe! It's my go-to when I need a quick breakfast or a snack. I love that it's sugar-free and full of vitamins with the pumpkin puree! The only problem is it seems I go through it very quickly! Thank you for posting!!!

- Kathryn
  
  January 05, 2017 at 12:16 pm
  
  I'm so happy to hear that Janette - thanks so much for sharing! It's addictive, right?! I find myself grabbing a handful at all hours of the day 😊
  
Sarah Hluchy

November 08, 2018 at 12:56 pm

I've spent the last half hour searching pinterest for a good granola recipe. I found your peanut butter granola recipe and then clicked the link for this one. I like that this one has more fiber (current eating plan has me checking the fiber against the sugar); obviously if I omit the chocolate chips it will modified to have less sugar. What do you think of adding whole flaxseed to the mixture to increase fiber and nutritive benefits? I'll try that anyway. Of course I'll have to eat less of it at a time than you do, regardless...

- Kathryn
  
  November 08, 2018 at 2:01 pm
  
  Hi Sarah! Yes, I think cutting out the chocolate chips and adding flaxseed would be a great addition to boost the fiber and healthfulness! Also, I revised the recipe card so the amounts shown in the nutrition label would be per 1/4 cup serving, in case that's helpful for you. I'd love to hear if you try it!
  
  - Sarah Hluchy
    
    November 08, 2018 at 5:53 pm
    
    Thanks for updating the nutritional info! I'll let you know when I make the granola 🙂
    
  - Sarah Hluchy
    
    November 23, 2018 at 4:09 pm
    
    Forgot to update you. I ended up adding some chocolate chips to mine, but forgot to add the flaxseed. Oh well. Very delicious! I liked using it instead of cereal.
    
    - Kathryn
      
      November 23, 2018 at 5:32 pm
      
      So glad you enjoyed it - again!! 😊