Description
Homemade Pumpkin Maple Granola Bars bring autumn’s warmth to your kitchen with a delightful blend of hearty oats, sweet maple, and rich pumpkin spices. Crisp edges and chewy centers make these bars a perfect snack for morning energy or midday comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) rolled oats
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) maple syrup
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) almond butter
Spices and Flavoring:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chopped nuts
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chocolate chips
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage and slight overhang for easy removal.
- Mix rolled oats, creamy pumpkin puree, rich maple syrup, smooth almond butter, aromatic ground cinnamon, warm nutmeg, and fragrant vanilla extract in a spacious mixing bowl until thoroughly incorporated.
- Gently incorporate roughly chopped pecans or walnuts and optional dark chocolate chips into the dense mixture, distributing ingredients evenly throughout.
- Transfer the granola blend into the lined baking pan, pressing firmly and smoothing the surface to create a compact, uniform layer using a spatula or clean hands.
- Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 22-27 minutes, watching for a golden-brown perimeter and a slightly firm center that indicates perfect doneness.
- Remove from oven and allow the granola slab to cool completely within the pan, which helps solidify the texture and makes precise cutting easier.
- Once entirely cooled, lift the parchment paper to extract the granola block and slice into rectangular bars using a sharp knife, creating uniform portions.
Notes
- Customize nut selection by swapping almonds or pecans with your favorite varieties for personalized crunch and flavor profile.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for extra protein and minerals.
- Create gluten-free version using certified gluten-free oats and ensuring all ingredients meet dietary restrictions.
- Prevent crumbly texture by allowing bars to cool completely before cutting, which helps them hold together perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg