Pumpkin Granola Bars

These Pumpkin Granola Bars are simple to make and only require a handful of ingredients. They are made with wholesome ingredients like whole grain oats, honey and pumpkin puree. These granola bars are fully customizable – feel free to add applesauce or mashed banana in place of the pumpkin puree for a different flavor.

I have been wanting to make granola bars for some time, and when my good friend Jon Stutzman told me about this new children’s book he was writing, I knew now was the perfect time to make granola bars. Jon’s new book, Tiny T. Rex and the first day oopsies is about this adorable Tiny T. Rex going to school and making mistakes. He shows that it is okay to make mistakes and that everyone makes them. Honestly I enjoy reading the book as an adult, too!

I made these soft and chewy granola bars, as well as these pumpkin granola bars to tie into the book and going back to school, because what’s a better after school snack than a tasty granola bar!? And with fall right around the corner, I made these pumpkin granola bars with all of the cozy fall flavors – pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and a touch of maple syrup.

I love that these granola bars are made with wholesome ingredients, like oats, honey, pumpkin puree and nuts. Feel free to substitute the pumpkin puree for applesauce or even mashed banana for a different flavor.

Here is what you will love about these granola bars

• Customizable – you can substitute the pumpkin puree for applesauce and make these into apple cinnamon granola bars, or even add mashed banana for a banana chocolate chip granola bar.
• Easy to make – these pumpkin granola bars only take a handful of ingredients and just a few minutes to mix everything together
• Stay fresh for a couple weeks – these pumpkin granola bars last for a couple weeks in the refrigerator or at room temperature. You can also freeze the granola bars for up to 3 months.

Here’s how to make these pumpkin granola bars

Toast the oats

Preheat your oven to 325F. Add the oats to a 1/4 sheet pan then toast in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Toasting the oats enhances the flavor in these granola bars.

Melt together the coconut oil with the honey, maple syrup and pumpkin puree

In a medium size saucepan, add the coconut oil, honey, maple syrup and pumpkin puree. If you prefer, you can use all honey or all maple syrup in this recipe. I enjoy the mixture of both for flavor.

Cook the mixture over medium heat, just until the coconut oil melts and the ingredients are mixed together, then remove from the heat.

Allow the mixture to cool 10 minutes

Allow the mixture to cool 10 minutes.

Stir in the remaining ingredients

To the saucepan, add the oats and crispy rice cereal and spices. Stir until well combined. Add in the mini chocolate chips (reserving a handful for on top), and nuts. The chocolate will most likely melt, but that is okay. It will help the granola bars stick together.

Get ready to bake

Pour mixture into a parchment paper lined 8×8 baking pan. Evenly spread mixture in pan, then firmly press mixture down. This helps the granola bar mixture stick together. Sprinkle the remaining handful of mini chocolate chips over top.

Bake in oven

Bake in 300F oven for 22 minutes.

Allow to cool

Allow granola bars to cool for 30 minutes at room temperature then 1 1/2 hours in the refrigerator. This allows for the granola bars to firm up and hold together before cutting them.

Slice and enjoy

Once cool, slice into 12 roughly equal granola bars and enjoy!

Storage

Store these pumpkin granola bars in the refrigerator or at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze these in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

The granola bars will be a bit softer at room temperature than in the refrigerator.

FAQ

1. Can I use a different fruit puree, like applesauce, or mashed banana? Yes, you absolutely can! Feel free to customize even the spices, addition of nuts and chocolate chips.
2. Can I use just honey, or just maple syrup? Yes, feel free to use all honey or all maple syrup as your sweetener. These two syrups have a similar texture, so the texture of the granola bars will not be affected. I prefer using the mixture of both for the added flavor.
3. Can I use all oats? Yes, you can! I used a mixture of oats and crispy rice cereal for texture purposes. The crispy rice cereal provided a bit of crispness/crunch to the bars. Using all oats will result in a softer bar.
4. Can I use instant oats? Yes, you can! Instant oats will result in a softer granola bar. Old fashioned oats gives the granola bars the chewy texture.

Storage

I recommend storing these granola bars in the refrigerator as it helps them stay together better. However, you can store them at room temperature, they will just be a bit softer. You can take them out of the refrigerator a few hours before you plan to eat them so that they are softer when you eat them.

Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze these in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

Here are a few other granola and granola bar recipes

• Homemade granola
• Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

Let me know what you thought!

If you make these pumpkin granola bars, let me know what you thought in the ratings and comments below. I absolutely love reading all of your comments! Also, make sure to snap a picture of your granola bars and tag me @simplebakingwithpep on instagram. It truly makes my day to see all of your wonderful creations!

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