Pumpkin Protein Granola

This granola is packed with healthy and delicious fall ingredients, with an extra protein kick!

Ingredients:

• 1 and 3/4 cups of rolled oats
• 1/4 cup of quinoa (I got a multi-colored blend)
• 1/4 cup of ground flax seeds
• 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
• 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds (I used sprouted seeds)
• 1/3 cup of pecan pieces
• 1/4 cup of raisins
• 1/4 cup of dried cranberries
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup of honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 1/2 cup of unflavored whey protein
• 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• dash of cloves
• dash of salt

Tools:

• cookie sheet
• parchment paper
• 2 mixing bowls
• spoon and spatula for mixing
• measuring cups and spoons
• large glass jar for storage
• mesh strainer
• clean washcloth

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees (F). 

Rinse the quinoa well and pat it dry with a clean washcloth. You can try a paper towel, but the quinoa seems to stick paper towels more than cloth. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the oats, quinoa, and chia seeds evenly and toast in the oven for ten minutes. Stir once around the 5 minute mark. 

If all you have is whole flax seeds, you can grind them using a canister coffee grinder.

In a medium bowl, add pecans, raisins, cranberries, ground flax, and pumpkin seeds. 

In a second medium bowl, add the pumpkin, protein powder, honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and salt.

Stir it really really well!

When the oat mixture comes out of the oven, reduce the heat to 300 degrees.

Carefully pour the oats into the dry bowl and stir. Next, pour the contents of the dry bowl into the wet bowl and stir. 

Spread the mixture evenly onto the baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes at 300 degrees. Stir, and bake an additional 5 minutes.

When the granola comes out of the oven it won't be crispy. It will need to air dry for at least an hour before you put it into a glass jar. 

My favorite way to eat this granola is with homemade yogurt and diced apples. If you don't want the extra protein, the inspiration recipe can be found here.