Description
Delicious and wholesome Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars made with oats, pumpkin puree, almond butter, and warm spices. These bars are perfect for a nutritious breakfast or a healthy snack, combining natural sweetness with a soft, chewy texture. Easy to make and customizable with chocolate chips or raisins.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips or raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, almond butter (or peanut butter), honey (or maple syrup), unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the oats, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt. Mix until everything is well incorporated. If you wish, fold in the chocolate chips or raisins gently.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking pan. Spread it evenly with a spatula for uniform thickness.
- Bake Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. The bars are done when the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into 12 squares. Enjoy these bars as a healthy snack or breakfast option.
Notes
- You can substitute almond butter with peanut butter or any other nut butter of your choice.
- Maple syrup or honey can be used interchangeably as the sweetener.
- For a vegan version, use maple syrup and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free.
- These bars store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Adding chocolate chips or raisins is optional but adds a nice touch of sweetness and texture.
