Homemaking

Easy Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe

By Liz Lovery · Updated July 18, 2026

This pumpkin spice granola is the perfect way to ease into autumn. It has just enough fall flavor to get you into the spirit, but still delicious enough to eat all year round! Did I mention it's super easy to make?

There are two types of people: the ones who decorate for fall, grab their pumpkin spice lattes, and whip out the cozy cardigans the moment September 1st rolls around, and those who slowly ease into the spirit of autumn, one candle at a time. I'm more of an ease-into-the-season type person and this pumpkin spice granola is a wonderful treat that really gets you in the spirit of the season.

This pumpkin spice granola recipe is not only delicious, but also easy to make. In fact, it only takes about 5 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook. The best part is you likely have all the ingredients in your cabinet already! So, next time you're craving a little something for fall, you can make pumpkin spice granola in less than 30 minutes. I love making a batch on a Sunday and setting it out on a beautifully laid breakfast table. It makes the whole kitchen smell incredible and feels like such a simple way to make the morning feel intentional.

Why I Love This Recipe

I'm not someone who goes overboard for fall. I don't buy every pumpkin-scented thing on the shelf or count down the days until September. But I do love the feeling of a home that shifts with the season in quiet, unhurried ways. A jar of this granola on the counter is exactly that kind of shift. It smells warm, it tastes like something you made with care, and it comes together faster than any store-bought version you'd actually want to eat.

It also happens to be a recipe I've made enough times to trust completely. Five minutes of prep, one baking sheet, ingredients you already own. That's the kind of cooking I come back to. If you love simple scratch recipes like this, my homemade pie and lemon blueberry scones are made the same way.

What Goes Into Pumpkin Spice Granola

You likely have all of these in your cabinet already. The spice combination is what makes this recipe feel fall-specific, but the base is flexible enough to make your own.

The base

• Rolled oats — The foundation. Rolled oats give you the best texture: chunky, golden, satisfying. Quick oats work but you'll get a finer, denser result.
• Honey — This is what binds the granola and creates the crunch when it cools. Don't substitute it with something that won't harden.
• Maple syrup — Adds depth and a caramel-like sweetness that plays beautifully with the fall spices. Pure maple only.
• Spices — Cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice. You can lean into any of these more depending on your preference. Chai spice is a great alternative if you want to take it in a different direction.

The add-ins

• Roasted pecans — Sliced or chopped, they add crunch and a buttery richness that pairs perfectly with honey. Walnuts or almonds work just as well.
• Raisins — Added after baking so they stay soft and chewy. Dried cranberries are a great swap if you want something a little more tart.

How to Make It

Making pumpkin spice granola is seriously super easy. Simply mix all of the spices and maple syrup with the honey. Once the honey is full of flavor, add the oats and extra ingredients. At this point, there's really only one step left: baking.

Mix your wet ingredients and spices first

Add the honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to a bowl and mix well. Getting the spices fully incorporated into the liquid before the oats go in means every oat gets coated evenly.

Coat the oats and add-ins

Add the rolled oats and roasted pecans and stir until everything is evenly coated in the spiced honey mixture. It should look glossy and smell like fall already.

Bake low and slow, and toss often

Place some parchment paper on a cookie sheet and spread your mixture evenly across and begin the baking process. It's important to toss the granola with a spatula every 5 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly on all sides. Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes, keeping an eye on the edges which will brown first.

Cool completely before touching it

Once your granola is golden brown, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely. Cooling is very important because the honey will harden and create that crunch that granola is known for. And that's it! Stir in the raisins once it's fully cool, then transfer to a jar.

Ways to Eat It

Granola is very versatile. But these are the most common ways people like to eat granola.

• Add it to yogurt
• Eat it like cereal with your favorite milk
• Mix it with ice cream
• Munch on it like trail mix

My personal favorite is a bowl with yogurt on a slow fall morning when the kitchen is warm and there's nowhere to be. It's also a beautiful thing to set out at a fall brunch. A jar of this on a kitchen counter you actually love spending time in is the kind of small detail that makes a home feel looked after.

Pumpkin Spice Granola FAQ

How do I store homemade granola?

Store cooled granola in an airtight container or glass jar at room temperature for up to two weeks. Make sure it is completely cool before sealing, because trapped steam will make the granola soft. A mason jar on the counter works perfectly and looks great in the kitchen.

Why is my granola not crunchy?

Almost always because it wasn't cooled completely before being stored, or it wasn't baked long enough. The honey needs to fully cool and harden to create the crunch. Leave it on the pan for at least 20-30 minutes after baking. If it's still soft, pop it back in the oven for 5 more minutes and try again.

Can I make this without pecans?

Yes. Walnuts, almonds, and cashews all work well. You can also skip nuts entirely and add more oats or seeds like pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. The base is very flexible.

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

You can, but the texture will be different. Quick oats are finer and will give you a denser, less chunky result. Rolled oats give you the best texture for this recipe. Stick with rolled oats if you can.

Is this granola recipe gluten free?

Oats are naturally gluten free but are often processed in facilities that also handle wheat. If you need this to be gluten free, use certified gluten-free rolled oats. All other ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten free.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes. Double all ingredients and use two baking sheets so the granola spreads in a single layer. Overcrowding one pan leads to steaming instead of baking, which gives you soft granola. Rotate the pans halfway through and toss every 5 minutes as usual.