Pumpkin season is here! If you’re craving those Pumpkin Spice Lattes, this healthier treat (with less added sugar) can serve as a healthy snack or easy breakfast. These bars use a small amount of maple syrup as a sweetener and pumpkin puree as a healthy substitute for oil or butter. Pumpkin naturally provides an excellent source of vitamins A and C, along with potassium. (Expert tip: Add pumpkin to your next pasta sauce, stir fry or roasted vegetable medley for an easy way to incorporate this nutrient-rich veggie!)
These bars can be chilled for at least one hour in the freezer or three hours in the refrigerator. The bars will last up to three days in the refrigerator.
No Bake Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars
Prep Time: 5 minutes
“Cook” Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole oats (choose Gluten Free Certified if you’re sensitive)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, unsweetened
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup unsalted almond butter (or other nut or seed butter of your choice)
Instructions
Line a 9 x 9 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large food processor, pulse the oats to a fine blend. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Combine the remaining ingredients and stir well to mix thoroughly.
Transfer mixture to the baking dish. Chill for at least 3 hours in the refrigerator.
Once firm enough, cut into bars and serve.