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Maple-Roasted Pumpkin Spice Granola

Source of Recipe

From "Half Baked Harvest Cookbook" by Tieghan Gerard


Recipe Introduction

"Granola is one of my favorite foods. I eat it like cereal with milk or yogurt, or sprinkle it over smoothies or a bowl of oats. Occasionally I'll even add it to savory dishes like salads. And, okay, sometimes I just eat it by the fistful. Most of the time, when I'm throwing granola together, I use whatever odds and ends I have in my kitchen at that moment, which means that it comes out a little different every time. But this blend of fall superfoods is my favorite. I love using a mix of nuts and seeds to make great textures and flavors. Sesame seeds are my secret weapon here, as they not only add an unexpected element, but delicious flavor as well. The best part about this granola is that you can truly eat spoonful after spoonful and not even feel even a little guilty. Serve it with milk or yogurt, fresh fruit, and honey."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 2 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
â—¦ 1 cup cooked quinoa
â—¦ 2 cups mixed raw nuts (I like a combination of almonds, cashews, pecans, and pistachios)
â—¦ 1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
â—¦ 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
â—¦ â…“ cup raw sesame seeds
â—¦ ¼ cup hemp seeds
â—¦ ¾ cup pure maple syrup
â—¦ ¼ cup coconut oil
â—¦ 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
â—¦ 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
â—¦ ½ teaspoon ground ginger
â—¦ ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
â—¦ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
â—¦ Nonstick cooking spray
â—¦ 1 ½ cups dried cranberries


Recipe

Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. On the prepared baking sheet, toss together the oats, quinoa, nuts, coconut, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and hemp seeds to combine.

In a small saucepan, heat the maple syrup and coconut oil over medium. Stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Pour the mixture over the oat mixture and toss well for 2 to 3 minutes to fully combine. Spread the granola out in an even layer.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring two or three times throughout cooking, until the oats smell toasted and are golden brown. Remove the granola from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, spray the bottom of a flat 1-cup measuring cup or a flat-bottomed glass with cooking spray. Press the granola into the baking sheet using the bottom of the measuring cup so you have a flat slab of granola. Let the granola sit for 1 hour to cool and harden.

Break the granola into clusters. Stir in the dried cranberries.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one month.