In my quest to make as much as I can for my family from scratch, I have been looking for granola bar options that are gluten-free and easy to make. I also had an itch to make something with pumpkin. As far as on-hand ingredients go when you aim to have a gluten-free treat, oatmeal is an easy, affordable option.
Oatmeal+pumpkin+some other fun stuff = Gluten-Free Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars with Peanut Butter.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate & Peanut Butter
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin
- 2 cups oats not instant
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 3/4 cup raw honey can be increased if you prefer a sweeter bar
- 1/2 - 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips organic preferred
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl & blend with a spoon
- Line and 8x8 pan w/ parchment paper
- Spray w/ olive oil or other non-stick
- Spread mixture into pan
- Bake @ 350F for 20-25 minutes
- Check with toothpick. If it comes out clean, it is done.
Recipe Notes
Chocolate chips are optional. You could add nuts, raisins or any other fun stuff you feel like it.
This recipe is easily gluten-free provided you ensure you are using gluten-free oats and chocolate chips. Oats are naturally gluten-free but may be processed in a facility that is not, so if it is not labeled, it may contain traces. Chocolate chips may contain gluten as well, though unsweetened chocolate is gluten-free.
The original recipe for these bars used brown sugar and white sugar, which I have replaced with honey. This makes the bars more moist as compared to using sugar. You could replace the honey with sugar or Stevia.
These were good. My kids loved them, and I admit I had one and want more. They are not all sugary and sweet like a traditional bar, however. They are thick and tasty and REAL. You can taste each of the ingredients with each bite and feel good that there is nothing fake to be found in these.
Billie says
That has too many of my favorite things in it to not be yummy.
Kim says
They were actually better the 2nd day!
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
Those look yummy! I’ll have to try them. I want some homemade healthy snacks for the kids.
Kim says
I am going to try and make Larabars too. With dates. Since I won’t buy them anymore LOL
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
Were these soft like a larabar or hard like a crunchy granola bar?
Kim says
They were softer.
Robin @ Mom Foodie says
My daughter would LOVE these. Luckily, there are no kids with peanut allergies in her tiny class, so she could bring them 🙂
Kim says
You might be able to leave the peanut butter out if there were allergies. Although using the honey already softens them up a bit over using brown sugar, and that may make them even moister (is that a word?). I want to try adding dates to them like they use in Larabars.
Nichol says
I am so making these, they sound and look fab!
Kim says
I have 2 left and it is killing me not to eat them LOL.
Kathleen says
Did you use a canned pumpkin or fresh? These look so good and are perfect with Thanksgiving and Halloween coming up!
Kim says
I used canned because I had it here and I need to use it up.
SCM (SocialCafe Magazine) says
How did I miss this recipe??? I’m going to make this over the weekend 🙂
Kim says
I think I am going to make it again!
Kyle says
Big fan of this recipe only 30 calories in a cup of pumpkin. The raw honey and the cinnamon are every healthy for you. I’m going to try making this. Awesome recipe.
julie says
Can you use Agave instead of the honey?
Kim says
I’m sure you could. I don’t use agave so I don’t know if it is a one-for-one substitution.