Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe
If you’re looking for a healthy, gluten-free snack that’s as nutritious as it is delicious, then look no further than these Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Bars. Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, pumpkin, and mixed nuts, these bars are perfect for a quick breakfast, an afternoon snack, or as a treat in your kids’ lunchboxes. Not only are they simple and easy to make, but they also feature the warmth and comfort of pumpkin pie spice, making them a delightful fall-inspired treat all year long.
Cuisine: Continental
Course: Snack
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free (optional)
Servings: 9–12 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Instant Oats (Oatmeal) | 1 cup (gluten-free or quick oats) |
| Rice Cereal | 1-1/2 cups |
| Brown Sugar (Demerara Sugar) | 2 tablespoons |
| Pumpkin Pie Spice | 1 teaspoon |
| Kaddu (Parangikai/Pumpkin) | 200 grams, steamed and pureed |
| Agave Nectar | 1/3 cup |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Sultana Raisins | 1/3 cup |
| Mixed Nuts | 1/3 cup, chopped (optional) |
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan by greasing it lightly with butter or cooking spray. This will help ensure your bars come out easily once baked.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the instant oats, rice cereal, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon). Stir them together to mix evenly, ensuring the dry ingredients are fully blended.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the pureed pumpkin, agave nectar (or honey), and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
Step 4: Bring it All Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until everything is well combined. The mixture should hold together nicely. Add in the sultana raisins and mixed nuts (if using), then mix once more until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 5: Press the Mixture into the Pan
Transfer the mixture to your prepared 9×9-inch pan, pressing it down firmly to ensure it’s evenly spread across the bottom. This will help the bars bake uniformly and hold their shape.
Step 6: Bake the Bars
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 20–25 minutes, or until the bars are fully set and lightly golden on the edges. You can check the doneness by inserting a toothpick—if it comes out clean, your bars are ready.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut them into squares or bars. You’ll want them to cool fully before cutting to ensure they don’t crumble.
Storage and Serving Suggestions
These Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Bars can be enjoyed fresh or stored for later. Once completely cooled, they can be wrapped individually and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage. These bars make for a great healthy snack for kids, as well as a quick breakfast option on busy mornings.
Enjoy the nourishing flavors of fall in every bite! Perfect for lunchboxes, a grab-and-go breakfast, or a satisfying afternoon snack, these bars bring together the goodness of oats, pumpkin, and mixed fruits and nuts, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Whether you enjoy them fresh or stored for later, these bars will surely become a favorite in your household.
