Description
These Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are a nutritious and delicious snack or breakfast option made with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and maple syrup. Naturally sweetened and spiced with cinnamon and vanilla, they are easy to prepare and perfect for anyone seeking a gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1 cup Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats (for blending into flour)
- 1 1/2 cups Pumpkin Puree
- 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
- 1/2 cup Maple Syrup
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 pinch Salt
- 3 tablespoons Chocolate Chips (to sprinkle on top, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly oil the paper to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Make Oat Flour: Place 1 cup of the rolled oats into a high-speed blender and blend until it forms a fine oat flour. Transfer this oat flour to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: To the oat flour, fold in the remaining 1 1/3 cups of rolled oats, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and peanut butter, mixing well to combine.
- Add Spices and Flavorings: Stir in the cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly to form a sticky batter. This step infuses the bars with warm spices and enhances flavor.
- Spread Batter and Add Toppings: Spread the sticky batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top if desired.
- Bake: Place the pan on the center rack of the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, until the top is dry and the bars are golden. Be careful not to overbake, as it can cause the bars to become overly dry.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a cooling rack for about 30 minutes until firm.
- Slice and Serve: Once firm, slice the bars into portions. The edges may be a bit crumbly, which is normal. Enjoy as a snack or breakfast treat plain or with nut butter or dairy-free yogurt.
Notes
- Using blended oats for the flour ensures a better texture and helps bind the bars.
- Peanut butter provides protein and healthy fats; natural, unsweetened peanut butter is recommended.
- Maple syrup acts as a natural sweetener without refined sugars.
- Optional chocolate chips add a touch of indulgence without overpowering the healthy ingredients.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars are naturally gluten-free if using certified gluten-free oats.
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pumpkin bars, oatmeal bars, healthy snacks, gluten free, vegetarian, no dairy, peanut butter bars, pumpkin puree recipes, maple syrup sweetened
