Banana Pumpkin Bars
Servings 12 - 16 bars
Tender, chewy banana pumpkin bars are loaded with fall flavors, but are so nutritious you'll want to make them all year! The banana and pumpkin make them soft and moist while the chocolate chips and maple syrup give just enough sweetness. They're my kids' go-to snack this time of year! {Gluten-free & Vegetarian}
Ingredients
Dry ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup mini or regular-sized chocolate chips, plus a few extra for sprinkling on top
Wet ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 medium-sized banana)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, oat flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Give it a good stir to mix everything together.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg, then add the pumpkin purée, mashed banana, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until everything is evenly incorporated. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, if using.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing out the top. For a little extra chocolate in every bite, sprinkle a few more chocolate chips over the surface.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes.
- Once cooled, lift the baked oatmeal out of the pan using the parchment paper and slice into 12–16 bars. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Use an overripe banana for extra sweetness: The riper your banana, the better the flavor! Overripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture, helping keep the bars soft without needing extra sugar.
- How to make your own oat flour: If you don’t have oat flour on hand, you can easily make it yourself by blending rolled oats in a high-speed blender or food processor until they reach a fine, flour-like consistency. Store-bought oat flour works perfectly too if you want to save time.
Nutrition
Calories: 137kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 4gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 96mgPotassium: 166mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 3215IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 1mg
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