Enjoy all the flavors of fall AND trail-mix in the form of chewy pumpkin granola bars. —These healthy bars make an ideal grab-and-go breakfast and an excellent post-workout snack!
Or get-in-my-belly-STAT bars.
Pretty accurate description.
The last last pumpkin recipe I shared with you guys was pretty dang indulgent, so I figured a somewhat-healthier pumpkin treat was in order today.
Seriously, I don’t even know HOW anyone could call these bars healthy, just ’cause they’re soooo dang good…
No questions asked, though. Imma’ just shove ’em in my face as fast as humanely possible.
Pumpkin granola bars have been on my to-do list pretty much since last fall. Sadly, I never got around to making them at all last year, so you can bet it got bumped up to the tippy-top of the uber-important-fall-must-make list.
Seriously, that’s what I titled that notebook page.
And boy, should you be glad that I did give these bad boys a go—The BEST kind of granola bar is right here in front of your face, folks.
And IN my face at the moment. 🙂
The chewiness factor of these bars is mind-blowing—you wouldn’t BELIEVE what pumpkin does to granola bars. It multiplies the soft and chewy forces by like 1.9 billion.
Which then brings the “perfect” level of these bars up to about a 20 out of 10.
When I was deciding on the extra add-ins to throw into the mix along with the pumpkin I just could NOT decide between the vast array of ingredients I had to choose from: Pumpkin seeds or pecans? Raisins or chocolate chips?
SO. It only took me 0.99 seconds to figure out how to solve this terrible dilemma—I threw ’em ALL in.
And my already-perfect granola bars got even MORE perfect.
Only now they weren’t just granola bars. They were TRAIL-MIX granola bars, which is what happens when you go crazy-crazy with the add-ins.
Crazy is good. Also, pretty tasty.
These granola bars are SO versatile—they’re simple and healthy enough for a quickie grab-and-go breakfast, but they also make a kick-butt pre/post workout snack. Instantaneous energy boost in the tastiest way imaginable.
My family has even gone so far as to crumble these bars up and enjoy it with milk like cereal.
Rachel? She prefers to just chow down on these bars plain All. Day. Long.— And I’m not joking either.
Guys, I feel as though we must discuss the pure addicting-ness of these granola bars. As in, I reaaally need someone to volunteer to take all the extra ones I currently have sitting in my freezer before I end up eating them all.
I seriously think I’m gonna too. I’m munching on one as I’m typing and getting crumbs in between the keys…
And now I’m finishing it off and looking at these photos and reaaally thinking I need another one now….
But ya’ know what? I just realized something.—I TOTALLY can. These granola bars have OATS in them along with plenty of other nutritious stuff, so I can eat however many I fancy.
Do you get the feeling I’m just trying to convince myself?
In the end, I think my pumpkin-addicted side is always gonna win. 😀
Pumpkin Trail Mix Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon wheat germ
- 1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Line a 13x9 baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine oats, coconut, pumpkin seeds, pecans, raisins, chocolate, wheat germ, spice, salt, and sugar. In a medium bowl, whisk pumpkin, honey, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine liquid ingredients with dry, stirring until mixture is moistened.
- Pat mixture evenly into prepared pan. Bake granola bars at 325F 35-40 minutes or until golden-brown and firm. Using the parchment paper, carefully lift granola bars out of the pan and onto a cooling rack. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
Recipe slightly adapted from Fork Knife Swoon.
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
These look so hearty and delicious! The colors are so inviting as well! Pinning!
Sarah says
Thank you for pinning, Amber!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
These bars look so thick and chewy. It’s great that they are healthy because I know I will want more than one. Pinned!
Sarah says
Haha I guarantee you won’t be able to have just one. I’m living proof. 😀 Thanks for pinning, Jen!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
LOVE the look of these pumpkin granola bars. Nevermind that I’m in love with pumpkin, but the pumpkin seeds in them – girl, I am aaaalllll over that – I adore me some pumpkin seeds. PINNED!
Sarah says
Pumpkin seeds FOR LIFE. 😉 Thanks for pinning, Kristi!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Chewy granola bars are the best – these look great!!!!
Sarah says
Thanks Liz!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love the looks of these granola bars, Sarah! They look like the chewiest, most delicious pumpkin granola bars. And even better that they’re healthy! Such a great treat!
Sarah says
Thanks Gayle! They’re totally the best. 😀
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
I have never had a pumpkin granola bar, but you’re making me feel like I need to try one right away! Looks delicious!
Sarah says
You’ve gotta give pumpkin granola bars a go, Kelly! So good. 😀
marcie says
I love these granola bars, Sarah! They’re healthy and they’re sure to give me a major pumpkin fix! Pinning. 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks for the pin, Marcie! Gotta give into those pumpkin fixes. 😉
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
These granola bars look divine, Sarah! Never tried pumpkin granola bars, but they sound amazingly good!
Sarah says
Thanks Jess! You should definitely try pumpkin granola bars! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Oh my gosh, I love these granola bars! I would totally munch on them ALL day long too – seriously! Love all the add-ins – good call on tossing them all in since I can’t seem to choose between just a few too 🙂 Perfect pumpkin recipe! Pinning 🙂
Sarah says
I’m embarrassed to admit that I was right there alongside Rachel munching on these bars all day too. 😛 LOL. Thanks for the pin, friend!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
These look awesome! I just made a big batch of granola bars yesterday, and I never experiment much with my recipe. I bet the hubs and kid would go nuts for this pumpkin version!
Sarah says
Yay for homemade granola bars! They’re so much better than storebought for sure. 😀 Thanks Ashley!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
looks awesom! Pinning!
Sarah says
Thanks for the pin!
Ashley says
I love making granola bars at home! And I’ve never made any with pumpkin – what an awesome idea. And yes to all the mix-ins – the more the better in my book!
Sarah says
Homemade granola bars are seriously the best! Add in some pumpkin and you’re in fall heaven. 😉
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
I am loving all things fall and pumpkin right now. These granola bars would not last very long around me. 🙂
Sarah says
Bring on fall AND pumpkin season! 🙂 Thanks Kathy!
Judit + Corina | Glamorous Bite says
Your trail mix granola bars look super tempting Sarah! They look so very tempting that we would eat them the whole day too. Mmm they are scrumptious and very dangerous 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Judit and Corina! You guys would definitely love these granola bars! 🙂
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
Sarah, these bars really looks healthy and at the same time delicious!
Sarah says
It’s a win-win kinda deal for sure. 🙂 Thanks Olivia!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
These granola bars look so damn good, Sarah!! Lovely thich and chewy.. love the flavours.. this is definitely on my ever increasing to do list.. 🙂
Sarah says
Haha! Thanks Arpita! 🙂
Danielle says
I’ll take all of the extras that you have! These look delicious and give me another reason to eat pumpkin. Pinning!
Sarah says
Haha I will give you all my extras Danielle, just to get them outta the house and outta my reach! LOL. Thanks for the pin, friend!
Isadora says
These look so good, Sarah! I’ve been needing a good granola bar recipe because I’m a snackaholic and am always in need of new snacks to take to work with me! I can’t wait to taste these pumpkin bars 🙂
Sarah says
Ahh yes! Best snack EVER right here! You must try these bars, Izzy! 🙂
Malak says
What’s wheat germ, by any chance? These look FABULOUS.
Sarah says
Hi Malak! Wheat germ is one of the healthiest parts of the grain wheat. You can find it in the health food section at most grocery stores. 🙂