Cheer in a cup. Crunchy. Fall. Spice. Maple. Pumpkin.

As I sit typing this morning, my kitchen is currently under construction and Libby, our puppy, and I have been stuck in our little office to stay out of the way.  Yes, Libby is hard at working snoozing away and always trying to make friends with the workers.   Although, I am craving a hot breakfast of eggs and bacon, I will guess I will have to survive on granola and yogurt parfaits for a bit longer.  This crunchy granola is packed with nutrients and flavor, delivering morning cheer in a cup.  Lightly spiced with pumpkin and cinnamon, the rich maple syrup provides a sweet contrast.  Scents of maple drifting through your kitchen will leave your house smelling of delicious fall flavors.

Store bought granola, even the kind labeled “healthy,” is full of sugars and carbohydrates.  Grain-free granola on the other hand is rich in quality fats and proteins, especially the much needed essential fatty acid Omega-3.  Nuts, are great “brain food” which will energize your morning giving you strength all day long!  Walnuts and pecans are especially high in the mineral manganese which helps the brain and nervous system function efficiently.  Pumpkin seeds are a concentrated source of zinc, iron and calcium as well as rich in vitamin E and B.  Vitamin E is a sometimes forgotten fat soluble vitamin that acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting your health at the cellular level.  Vitamin E also stabilizes body fats protecting against damage done to the heart and blood vessels by free-radicals.  Nuts and seeds are wonderful foods as their fat content allows the fat soluble vitamins found in nuts and seeds to be easily digested and assimilated.  Eating nuts or this fall flavored granola with a good fat source such as plain yogurt or whole milk allows the vitamins to work effectively in your body.

Granola is so easy to make and you really can just toss together whatever ingredients you have in your kitchen.  You can control the sweetness you want by adding more or less maple syrup. Just chop, mix, bake, and enjoy!

With a pot of hot coffee and this crunchy pumpkin spice granola your morning may just become a magical fall day.

Have a happy & healthy morning. Bon appetit!

Pumpkin Spice Granola Crunch {Grain-free, Paleo}

Fall flavors and taste in a cup for a grain free, gluten free and paleo breakfast.

• 1 cup almonds, soaked & dry roasted
• 1 cup walnuts or pecans, soaked & dry roasted
• 1 cup pumpkin seeds, soaked & dry roasted
• 1/4 cup golden flaxseed, finely ground
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• dash of ground ginger
• 5 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 4 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp maple extract

Directions

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using a food processor or nut chopper, finely chop almonds and walnuts/pecans.
• In a mixing bowl, stir in remaining ingredients.
• Scoop granola onto a baking sheet, filling the entire sheet and spreading into an even layer.
• Roast for 15 minutes, stir and roast for an additional 15-20 minutes.
• Granola should be a golden brown color when ready.
• Allow granola to cool completely before enjoying!
• Serve with fresh cream, yogurt, or coconut milk.

To soak and dry roast nuts, click here for directions.  Soaking nuts and seeds negates phytic acid which can cause many digestive complications and mineral deficiencies.  If you choose not to soak and pre-roast nuts, the baking time may have to be changed and salt will need to be added.