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    Home » Recipes » Bars & Slices

    Published: Oct 5, 2022 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 2 Comments

    Pumpkin Granola Bars

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN
    5 from 7 votes
    pumpkin granola bars in a stack tied with string

    Deliciously soft & chewy Pumpkin Granola Bars with drizzles of chocolate make the perfect fall snack. They are easy to make, super hearty and tasty, and keep for ages in the fridge!

    a stack of pumpkin granola bars tied with string

    These hearty Pumpkin Granola Bars are full of wholesome pumpkin, oats, flax and nuts. Speckled with pecans and drizzles of chocolate they are satisfyingly sweet, soft, chewy and crunchy.

    The bottom line? They are so-super-yummy and a great fall treat. Delicious enough to be snack, breakfast or dessert and really easy to make!

    In this post:

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Pumpkin Granola Bars
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Hungry For More?
    • Recipe
    • Comments & Reviews

    Ingredients

    To make Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars you will need these ingredients:

    ingredients needed to make pumpkin granola bars

    And a few ingredient notes:

    • Oats - Use certified gluten-free oats to make these bars gluten-free.
    • Nut/seed butter - Any such as peanut butter, almond butter, sunbutter or cashew butter will do. Use seed butter for nut-free.
    • Brown rice syrup - The key for delightfully chewy bars that hold together really, really well. I use Lundberg Organic Brown Rice Syrup. Corn syrup or Golden Syrup (if in the UK) would work in the same way but will make the bars much sweeter. You can also use maple syrup or agave but they are nowhere near as thick and sticky so your bars wont be as chewy as intended.
    • Molasses - This is for its rich, deep flavor that works so well with the pumpkin. Regular molasses or blackstrap is fine. Looking for a sub? Use an extra tablespoon of brown rice syrup instead.
    • Pecans - Any other nut or seed can be used instead. Walnuts or pumpkin seeds work really well. You can omit them completely if you prefer.
    • Pumpkin spice - Available with the spices in most grocery stores. If you can't find it or don't want to buy it, I've included a quick recipe for it in the Recipe FAQs.
    • Chocolate - I love these bars drizzled with chocolate but if you want to make them a little healthier you can omit that part.

    How To Make Pumpkin Granola Bars

    Such an easy process. Here's how it's done:

    1. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir together.
    2. Warm the wet ingredients together in a pan until you can mix them together easily then pour into the dry ingredients. Mix together.
    3. Pack down into the baking pan in an even layer then bake for 20 minutes.
    4. Cut into bars then drizzle with melted chocolate.

    Recipe FAQs

    What can I use instead of pumpkin spice?

    Make your own pumpkin pie spice blend to keep in the pantry. Combine:
    4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cloves and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Add to a jar, seal it and give it a good shake to mix everything together. Use whenever pumpkin spice is called for in a recipe.

    What can I use instead of brown rice syrup?

    Corn syrup or golden syrup have the same texture and will work really well but will make the bars sweeter. Maple syrup or agave syrup can also be used but the bars won't be as chewy as intended.

    Can pumpkin bars be frozen?

    Yes, these bars freeze well for up to 2 months.

    Hungry For More?

    • Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes
    • Vegan Pumpkin Smoothie
    • Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
    • Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

    If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!

    Recipe

    pumpkin granola bars tied in a stack with string

    Pumpkin Granola Bars

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    5 from 7 votes
    Deliciously soft & chewy Pumpkin Granola Bars with drizzles of chocolate make the perfect fall snack. They are easy to make, super hearty and tasty, and keep for ages in the fridge!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    PREP TIME: 15 minutes
    COOK TIME: 20 minutes
    TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes
    Servings: 10 bars

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups (200 grams) rolled or old fashioned oats
    • 3 tablespoons ground flax seeds
    • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice , see FAQs for alternative
    • ⅓ cup (40 grams) pecan nuts , chopped
    • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ½ cup (112 grams) pumpkin puree
    • 4 tablespoons nut or seed butter , any variety
    • 4 tablespoons brown rice syrup , see FAQs for alternatives
    • 1 tablespoon molasses , or use an extra tablespoon brown rice syrup

    For the optional chocolate drizzle

    • ½ cup (90 grams) dairy-free chocolate chips
    • 2 tablespoons plant milk

    RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

    • USA Pan 8 x 8 Cake Pan
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8 x 8 inch pan with parchment paper.
    • To a large bowl add the oats, ground flax, pumpkin spice, pecans, and salt. Mix to combine.
    • To a small saucepan add the pumpkin, nut/seed butter, brown rice syrup and molasses. Warm gently until you can easily whisk them together. It should only take about 5 minutes.
    • Spoon the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir together really well with a wooden spoon or firm spatula until everything is combined and you can't see any dry spots.
    • Tip into your prepared pan and press down evenly all over then bake for 20 minutes.
    • Leave to cool in the pan for 20 minutes then gently lift out using the parchment paper as handles, onto a cutting board. With a large sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut into 10 evenly sized pieces.
    • Add the milk and chocolate chips to a small bowl and melt gently over a pan of simmering water or very gently in the microwave. Give it a good stir.
    • Place granola bars on the parchment paper (to catch spills), then drizzle the chocolate all over the top with a spoon. Allow to set either on the counter or more quickly in the fridge.

    NOTES

    Store Pumpkin Granola Bars in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks or the freezer for up to 2 months.

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1barCalories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 5gFat: 10.5gSodium: 135mgFiber: 4gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 0.8mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is provided for convenience. The data is a computer generated estimate and should be used as a guide only.

    Tried this recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram and hashtag it #avirtualvegan

    This recipe was originally published on October 2nd 2015. I've since updated the post and now I am republishing it for you. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for following A Virtual Vegan!

    Hungry For More?

    • Raspberry Oat Bars
    • Vegan Rice Crispy Treats
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
    • Chocolate Tahini Crunch Bars
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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Joanie Lewis says

      September 26, 2021 at 1:37 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Mel - always wonderful to try one of your delicious recipes. I used coconut nectar and they wanted to crumble when cutting. They stayed together but don't look as perfect as yours! All the same, they taste delicious. Thanks for all your hard work and commitment.

      Reply
    2. Annie says

      September 20, 2018 at 4:10 pm

      5 stars
      These were incredibly good!

      Reply

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