I can’t get enough of the pumpkin flavor. When the temperatures are going back up, I need to grab on to something that says it’s Fall. So canned pumpkin it is. And I have gone to town. When I open a can of pumpkin, I try to make a few things so it doesn’t go to waste. One can goes a long way! Here are two recipes.

Pumpkin Granola

Ingredients:

• 2.5 C old fashioned oats
• 1/2 C slivered almonds
• 2.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 C brown sugar
• 1/4 C flax seeds (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 C maple syrup
• 1/2 C canned pumpkin
• 2 T applesauce
• 1/2 C mixed dried fruit (I did apricots, raisins, cherries)

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350*.
• Coat a baking sheet with Pam.
• Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet in another. Leave dried fruit out for now.
• Add wet to dry and stir well.
• Add dried fruit and mix.
• Spread over baking sheet evenly and break up clumps.
• Cook for 30 minutes, flipping the granola every 12-15 minutes.
• Let cool completely…unless you sneak a bite.

This granola is so addictive! I have been eating it by itself, over yogurt or cottage cheese, or over oatmeal (next recipe below). I like that it doesn’t have oil or added sugars, instead getting its sweetness from applesauce, brown sugar, and maple syrup.

Granola with yogurt, Fiber One, and berries:

Triple Pumpkin Hot Oatmeal

Ingredients:

• 1/4 C Scottish oats (you can use any type of oat)
• 1 C water
• 1/4 C almond milk
• 1/2 smashed banana
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2 T canned pumpkin
• pinch salt
• 2 T raisins
• topped with Pumpkin Granola and drizzle maple syrup

Instructions:

These instructions work for every stovetop oatmeal recipe I make now.

• Bring water to a boil.
• Add oats and whisk well.
• Add milk, spices, smashed banana, raisins. Let cook for five minutes.
• Add pumpkin puree and let cook for five more minutes.
• Pour into bowl and top with granola and syrup.

The “triple” is canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and Pumpkin Granola. This was a very hearty and savory breakfast and not too sweet. I actually don’t think pumpkin is sweet on its own. And I love raisins in oatmeal because they plump up so nicely.