Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are a taste of fall, blending the warmth of hearty oats and creamy pumpkin, with bursts of chocolate in every bite. They strike the perfect balance for a wholesome snack or a great on-the-go breakfast treat.
PREP: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x9-inch baking pan generously with cooking spray. Line it with parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang on two opposite sides. This will help you lift the bars out once they're baked.
OATS: Place the oats in a food processor or blender. Pulse 10 times (1 second per pulse) to slightly break them up.
PREPARE BARS: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the wet ingredients. Whisk them together until smooth and well combined. To the same bowl, add the dry ingredients, including the pulsed oats and ⅔ cup of chocolate chips. Stir everything together until well mixed.
BAKE: Using a spatula, transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Spread it out evenly, pressing down gently to make sure the mixture is compact. (This will prevent the bars from falling apart after baking.) Sprinkle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-27 minutes, or until the center has set and the edges are lightly golden brown. Be careful not to over-bake, as this will result in dry bars.
CHILL: After baking, remove the pan from the oven. Let it cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Afterward, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill until the bars are completely cold.
ENJOY: Once chilled, lift out the bars using the parchment paper overhang. Place them on a cutting board, and using a sharp knife, cut into individual bars. Enjoy!
Notes
Note 1: Pumpkin: Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling has added sugars and spices. Also note that we're only using 1 cup, not the entire can! Use leftovers in this popular Pumpkin Protein Shake!Note 2: Pure maple syrup: Unlike corn or pancake syrup, pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener -- it's simply sap from maple trees boiled down to a syrupy consistency. Always go for 100% pure maple syrup -- look for labels stating "100% pure maple syrup" and avoid those marked "pancake syrup" or "maple-flavored syrup."Note 3: Pumpkin pie spice: This is a mix of warming spices. It's available in most stores near other spices, or you can make your own pumpkin pie spice!