Chewy Pumpkin Granola Bars

Ingredient Notes

I’ve provided the full list of ingredients with their measurements in the recipe card below, but let’s take a look at the key ingredients you’ll need to make your own granola bars with pumpkin.

• Oats — I recommend using old-fashioned oats rather than instant oats. Old-fashioned oats are much chewier and won’t crumble apart.
• Chocolate chips — We like using mini dark chocolate chips, but you can use any kind you like.
• Pumpkin seeds — AKA pepitas. They add a little protein and lots of crunch! Sunflower seeds or hemp seeds would work well in place of the pepitas if you can’t find them.
• Pumpkin puree — I used a can of pumpkin puree for ease, but you can make your own pumpkin puree if you want to go the fully homemade route. Make sure you’re using pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling!
• Applesauce — Unsweetened is preferred, but any kind will work. The applesauce is used as an oil substitute so we can keep these granola bars on the healthier side.
• Sweeteners — I used a blend of brown sugar and agave to sweeten the granola bars. The brown sugar adds a caramel-y flavor, while the agave helps hold the oat mixture together.
• Vanilla extract — I’ve always got a bottle of my bourbon vanilla extract on hand, but any kind is fine.
• Chai spice blend — I used a store-bought chai spice blend to flavor the bars, but pumpkin pie spice or even gingerbread spice will deliver a similar warming flavor.