Healthy Pumpkin Bars

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rolled oats

  • ½ cup whole wheat flour (or gluten free flour blend)

  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree

  • ¼ cup maple syrup

  • 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil (slightly cooled)

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • ⅓ cup chocolate chips (or raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped walnuts)

    Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and coat an 8×8 pan with nonstick spray.

  • Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and stir together to combine thoroughly, but gently.

  • Place batter into prepared and smooth with a spatula so the batter is evenly distributed in the pan.

  • Bake for 20-24 minutes or until lightly golden brown around the edges and a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out cleanly.

  • Remove from oven, place pan on a wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.

  • Serve warm, at room temp, or chilled.

    Gluten-free: Use gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend.

    Dairy-free: Use diary-free chocolate chips.

    Egg-free: Grind the oats in a food processor or blender before you add them to the batter to create more of a flour-like consistency or use purchased oat flour. And omit the eggs and add 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds and ¼ cup milk.

  • You can omit the flaxseed if you don’t have it. Just be sure to let it cool fully as it will be a little more tender.

  • To make these with less added sugar: Use unsweetened dried fruit (such as raisins) instead of chocolate chips.

  • Cut into smaller pieces for your child if needed.

  • Top with nut butter, cream cheese, or apple butter if desired.

    Nutrition Information

  • Serving: 1bar, Calories: 97kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 21mg, Sodium: 54mg, Potassium: 87mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 2414IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 34mg, Iron: 1mg