This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Post Pebbles, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PostWalgreens.

As the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold, and a crisp coolness fills the air, there’s an undeniable shift in our cravings. We instinctively reach for flavors that evoke warmth, comfort, and the essence of autumn. This year, bring the irresistible tastes of the season right to your breakfast table or snack time with our delightful Autumn Granola Recipe. Crafted with the wholesome goodness of Post Great Grains cereal, this incredibly simple yet satisfying recipe is your perfect companion for a brisk morning grab-and-go breakfast or a cozy afternoon snack that truly celebrates fall.

Embracing the Flavors of Fall: A Personal Passion

There’s a special kind of magic that autumn brings, and for me, it’s inextricably linked to specific flavors. Don’t you agree? I confess, I have a deep and abiding love affair with all things pumpkin and cranberry. These two ingredients, in particular, signal the arrival of my favorite season more than any calendar date. Shhh… don’t tell my husband, Ken; these pumpkin-flavored treats often provide some pretty hefty competition for my affection! As soon as August draws to a close each year, my mind, and indeed my pantry, start preparing for the influx of pumpkin goodies. I maintain a small, strategic stash of pumpkin puree, ensuring I’m always ready to whip up a delicious fall-inspired creation, often long before pumpkin itself even knows it’s in season!

The Morning Rush: Cereal Cravings and Granola Solutions

You know what else holds a special place in my heart? A good bowl of cereal. It’s a classic breakfast for a reason – comforting, often satisfying, and endlessly versatile. But here’s the perennial dilemma: while I adore cereal, I often find myself short on time, especially during those notoriously early weekday mornings. My general lack of enthusiasm for rising with the sun often means my breakfast ritual is anything but leisurely. More often than not, I end up grabbing a quick piece of toast or a bagel, hastily consumed on the go or, more commonly, at my desk once I’ve arrived at work. “Enjoy” might be too strong a word for these hurried meals. I’d much rather be savoring my breakfast in the comfort of my home, perhaps still clad in my pajamas. Alas, that demanding thing called “work” typically prevents such luxuries from Monday through Friday.

The core problem, then, is a daily battle against what I like to call “cereal withdrawals.” The simple, yet brilliant, solution? Transform my beloved cereal into a convenient, delicious, and utterly satisfying granola! This epiphany led me to create this fantastic Autumn Granola Recipe. It’s not just any granola; it’s a perfect grab-and-go breakfast, a portable powerhouse of fall flavor that perfectly fits into even the busiest schedules. No more sacrificing flavor or nutrition due to a lack of time!

Crafting the Perfect Autumn Granola: A Wholesome Choice

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of trying out Post Great Grains Cereal. Surprisingly, I hadn’t encountered this particular cereal before, but its wholesome appearance and the promise of being less processed than many typical cereals immediately piqued my interest. So, I decided to give it a try, and I am so incredibly glad I did! This cereal is absolutely delicious. I confess, I poured myself a small bowl of it one Friday evening and almost couldn’t stop myself from eating the whole box. I’ve been constantly snacking on it here and there since that initial taste. I actually had to exert some considerable self-control to ensure I had enough left to craft this very special autumn granola. It’s a good thing I possess a little discipline, right?

The Post Great Grains Cranberry Almond Crunch, in particular, stood out as an ideal base for this recipe. Its combination of hearty grains, dried cranberries, and crunchy almonds already brings a wonderful textural and flavor profile that perfectly complements the autumnal theme. Choosing a cereal like Great Grains provides a robust foundation for our granola, ensuring it’s not only tasty but also packed with fiber and whole grains, making it a healthier alternative to many store-bought options. This granola isn’t just about convenience; it’s about nourishing your body with quality ingredients without compromising on the delightful flavors of the season.

Easy Autumn Granola Recipe

Yield:
4 servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
25 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 C Post Great Grains Cranberry Almond Crunch Cereal
• 1/4 C butterscotch chips
• 1/2 C chopped pecans
• 1 tbsp flax seeds
• 2 tbsp roasted pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 C pumpkin puree
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Great Grains cereal, butterscotch chips, chopped pecans, flax seeds, and roasted pumpkin seeds. Mix all these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure an even distribution.
2. In a separate, smaller mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, fragrant pumpkin pie spice, rich maple syrup, and melted coconut oil until smooth and well combined. This wet mixture will bind our granola.
3. Pour the wet pumpkin mixture into the cereal mixture. Stir everything together very well, ensuring every piece of cereal and every nut is coated evenly with the spiced pumpkin goodness.
4. Press the entire mixture firmly into an 8×8 inch baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes for easy removal. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the granola is lightly golden and fragrant.
5. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the granola to cool completely in the pan before attempting to break it apart. As it cools, it will firm up. Once fully cooled, break it up into delightful, irregular pieces.

Notes

I initially intended to make convenient granola bars, but when I tried to cut them, the mixture lovingly crumbled apart. So, voilà! I had delicious granola instead! This recipe yields a wonderfully chewy granola, rather than a super crunchy one, which I find perfectly delightful for an autumn treat.

Unpacking the Goodness: Key Ingredients and Their Benefits

Beyond the delightful taste, each ingredient in this Autumn Granola Recipe contributes to its wholesome appeal. The foundation, Great Grains Cranberry Almond Crunch Cereal, offers a blend of whole grain flakes, crunchy almonds, and sweet dried cranberries, providing essential fiber and a satisfying texture. Adding more chopped pecans boosts healthy fats and provides an extra layer of nutty flavor. Flax seeds are tiny powerhouses, packed with omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber, promoting digestive health. Roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) add a pleasant crunch, along with vital minerals like magnesium and zinc, not to mention more healthy fats.

The wet ingredients bring both flavor and binding properties. Pumpkin puree, a quintessential fall ingredient, provides natural sweetness, moisture, and a rich source of Vitamin A. It’s what gives our granola that lovely autumn hue and subtle pumpkin flavor. The touch of pumpkin pie spice elevates this, infusing the granola with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves – truly the scent of fall. Maple syrup serves as a natural sweetener, offering a depth of flavor that complements pumpkin beautifully, while coconut oil helps bind the ingredients and contributes to a subtle richness and chewy texture.

Serving Suggestions and Customization

This Autumn Granola is incredibly versatile! Enjoy it simply by the handful as a quick energy boost, sprinkle it over a bowl of plain Greek yogurt for a protein-packed breakfast, or serve it with your favorite milk (dairy or non-dairy) like traditional cereal. It also makes a fantastic topping for oatmeal, fruit crisps, or even a healthy ice cream sundae! For those who love to get creative in the kitchen, consider adding other dried fruits like chopped dried apples or apricots, a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips for an extra treat, or a dash of ginger powder for a spicier kick. The beauty of homemade granola lies in its adaptability!

Storing Your Homemade Granola

To keep your Autumn Granola fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will maintain its wonderful chewy texture and flavor for up to two weeks. If you prefer a crunchier granola, you can bake it for an additional 5-10 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning. However, the slightly chewy nature of this recipe is part of its unique charm, perfectly capturing the comforting essence of autumn.

Don’t Miss Out on This Fantastic Deal!

Ready to try this amazing Autumn Granola Recipe for yourself? Now is the perfect time! You can pick up a box of your favorite Post cereal for an incredible price of just $1.99 at Walgreens. This Walgreen’s exclusive, in-store discount is available for a limited time only, so you won’t want to miss out on this fantastic deal. Head to your nearest Walgreens today, grab a box (or two!) of Post Great Grains, and start enjoying the delicious, wholesome flavors of fall with your very own homemade granola!