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Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars: Easy 25-Minute Breakfast

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Soft, chewy, and just sweet enough, these Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars with Honey are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack. Made with toasted oats, pumpkin puree, and honey, they come together in just 25 minutes for a wholesome treat that tastes like autumn in bar form.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (180g) rolled oats (old-fashioned, not quick oats)
  • 1 cup (245g) pumpkin puree (100% pumpkin, not pie filling)
  • 1/3 cup (113g) honey (mild variety like clover or orange blossom)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) coconut oil, melted (or melted butter)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure vanilla recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg + 1/4 teaspoon ginger)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup (45g) dark chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (30g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons dried cranberries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy removal.
  2. Spread the rolled oats on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, honey, melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the toasted oats, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  5. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined. If using any optional add-ins (chocolate chips, nuts, cranberries), fold them in now.
  6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Spread evenly with a spatula, pressing into the corners. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should feel firm but spring back slightly when touched.
  8. Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before cutting.
  9. Use a sharp knife to cut into 9 or 12 squares. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for neat edges.

Notes

Don’t skip toasting the oats—it adds a nutty depth that makes these bars special. Start checking for doneness at 18 minutes to avoid overbaking. Let bars cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling. For best flavor, make a day ahead as the flavors meld overnight. If pumpkin puree seems watery, pat dry with a paper towel before mixing.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin oatmeal bars, healthy breakfast bars, pumpkin bars with honey, oatmeal breakfast bars, easy pumpkin recipe, meal prep breakfast, gluten-free breakfast bars

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/healthy-pumpkin-oatmeal-bars-easy-25-minute-breakfast/