Description
These Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome and delicious snack perfect for fall or any time you crave a hearty treat. Made with oats, pumpkin puree, almond butter, and warm spices, they offer a naturally sweet and moist texture without refined sugars. These bars are easy to prepare, naturally gluten-free if using certified oats, and customizable with your choice of mix-ins like 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). Prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing 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 them together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the old-fashioned oats, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt. Mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated. If desired, gently fold in the chocolate chips or raisins to distribute evenly.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon to form a level surface.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. The bars are done when the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares. This ensures they firm up and hold together well. Enjoy as a healthy snack or breakfast on the go!
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup.
- Use certified gluten-free oats if you need the recipe to be gluten-free.
- You can replace almond butter with any nut or seed butter of your preference.
- Storing the bars in an airtight container in the fridge will keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
- Freezing the bars is an option; just thaw at room temperature before serving.