Soft and chewy pumpkin granola bars are a great fall snack. They have all the wonderful warm flavours of fall with a dark chocolate treat. They are fast and easy to make and are low in sugar! These treats are under 150 calories so you can enjoy them guilt free! You will eat the whole pan quickly so I recommend making a double or triple batch and throwing them into the freezer for a snack on the go!
This past week I came to the conclusion that fall baking is just the kick off to Christmas baking. As I think of delicious fall favourites my mind always travels to what I want to make for the holidays. With the cool weather it is hard not to think of things that will make my house smell warm and inviting, and nothing is better then the smell of fresh baking on a crisp day. This fall has been chilly outside and I am really enjoying foods with warm flavours like cinnamon and nutmeg. Fall baking is a warm feeling I dream of all summer when it is too hot to run the oven, especially since I do not have an air conditioner.
What is your favourite fall snack? I do not have a favourite snack because I really just love all food all the time. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease I can say that I have missed having a granola bar when I am feeling hungry in between meals. Gluten free granola bars can be hard to find and tend to cost more then I am willing to spend, plus they never taste as good as the unhealthy chocolate covered bars. Since I am riding the pumpkin train like every other basic I decided to create some healthy pumpkin bars! I have been following Fit Girls Guide since February (I will be launching another post about this choice and journey in the future) and dark chocolate is allowed EVERYDAY! I took my love for pumpkin and my daily chocolate allotment to create some soft granola bars! They taste like dessert, but are filling and satisfying. The flavours of cinnamon and nutmeg always taste amazing with pumpkin, but I am so happy with how everything complimented the dark chocolate! Even better, they are under 150 calories and are low in sugar! I will definitely be making these again!
Pumpkin Granola Bars
1 Cup Gluten Free Rolled Oats
1/2 Cup Gluten Free Cheerios
2 Tbsp Gluten Free Flour
2 Ripe Bananas
1/4 Cup Brown S
ugar (Or Brown Sugar Substitute like Splenda)
1/3 Cup Pumpkin Puree
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/3 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips
1/4 Cup Dark Chocolate Squares (To drizzle on top)
- Mash up Bananas and combine with Brown sugar and Pumpkin Puree
- Add remaining ingredients and mix well
- Place in a parchment lined 8x8 pan and press down with either hands or the back of a spoon.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
- Melt Dark Chocolate squares in the microwave and drizzle over the square.
- Let cool in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight before cutting.
- Cut into 8 squares and enjoy :)
