Pumpkin-Almond Butter Bars
Soo I’ve kinda been dreaming about how good my tasting-plate was from the other day (does this qualify as a “You Know You’re a Health Foodie” moment?…I think so 
), I can’t help it, I just had to do something with that pumpkin/almond butter combo again!
My solution? Well the first thing that came to mind was granola bars. Can you believe I’ve never actually attempted to make my own before!
Pumpkin-Almond Butter Bars (Yields 3 bars)
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Pumpkin Butter (I used Trader Joe’s brand)
- 2 Tbsp Almond Butter (I used Justin’s)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- Mix-ins of choice: I used 2 tsp. of dried fruit this time (golden raisins, cranberries+ apricot)
Directions
- Mix all ingredients into bowl
- Transfer mixture onto piece of plastic wrap
- Seal ends of plastic wrap and roll wrapped dough into square shape with desired thickness
- Cut with knife into desired shape
I experimented with two versions of this bar: 1) Raw/Uncooked and 2) Cooked
RAW/UNCOOKED:
After completing directions #1-4 above, place wrapped bars in fridge for a few hours to set
OR
COOKED: Preheat oven to 350F and follow directions #1-4. After shaping bars, remove wrapper, place bar in oven dish and bake for 30-35 minutes (careful not to overcook.) Allow to cool before eating.
Can you tell which bar is which?
In the left corner: Raw/Uncooked VS. The challenger in the right: Cooked
So which version did I prefer?
The answer is….BOTH! The raw/uncooked version had a more cookie dough texture (but c’mon now, who doesn’t love eating that stuff??)
Overall, they both tasted pretty face-rockin’ delicious to me …you’ll have to be your own taste-test judge to see which one you like best!
+++++
These bars are SO easy and SO versatile. You can always switch up the mix-ins with different ingredients like:
- Coconut
- Dried fruit
- Walnuts
- Dark chocolate
- Spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, cayenne, brown sugar)
- Maple syrup
- Flaxseed
Plus their impressive nutritional value meets my standards for the perfect granola bar. Yessss.
Nutrition Facts (per 1 bar without mix-ins)
Calories 162.1
Total Fat 7.6 g
(Saturated Fat: 1.1 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.3 g, Monounsaturated Fat *the good stuff*=4.9 g)
Total Carbohydrate 33.0 g (Dietary Fiber 4.7 g // Sugars 4.0 g )
Protein 4.2 g
++++
Definitely going to be making these as a quick grab n’ go snack once school and internship starts up again!
Question for you:
What would you add to your Pumpkin-Almond Butter Bars?
If you try these out, please let me know what you think! I’d love to hear whether you preferred the raw or cooked version!
+ + + +
What a great idea. These seem super simple. I might add pumpkin seeds…to go with the theme.
Do you know about Element Bars? Such a neat company!
Nice work! Those bars look really tasty. And I do loooove cookie dough so maybe I’ll try the raw first.
Good luck back at school and internship.
i am going try these probably this week I would bake them with some wheat germ, chia seed and dark chocolate chip I will let you know how they turn out. thanks for posting
I’ve never made my own granola bars either, but this looks awesome and so easy to make! Thanks for sharing
This looks great! I’ve thought about making my own granola bars, but hadn’t quite gotten around to it- glad you did! I think I’ll pick up some pumpkin butter over the weekend and give these a try. I’ll probably go for the cookie dough texture
do me a favor.. market these and send me free samples.. k? great!
you got it girl
i’ll be sure to make a peanut butter version and name it after you haha
Raw granola bars sound AMAZING!! I love anything that tastes doughy
. I will need to make a batch very soon! Thanks for sharing 
.
Hey! I just found your blog… I love that you are going to be a registered dietitian- I’m looking into it, but I’m only a sophomore so I got a little bit of time to make up my mind!
Those bars look DELICIOUS, Thanks letting us know how you did it!
Michelle
I have been wanting to make granola bars for a long time. I’ve made homemade granola and LOVED IT!! My husband loved it too. I wanted to try out something that would be kid friendly and clean… maybe I will try out your recipe this weekend! I might add some dried cranberries- how about some dark choc chips??? lol
Wow, thanks for sharing, Kristen! I’ve been wanting to make these on my own! I never knew granola bars could by doughy, and I’d love to try that version. I would probably add BROWN SUGAR and MAPLE!! That’s always been my fave flavor of oatmeal.
Hi Kristen! Thanks so sharing these! I have been doing a few experiments myself but I love how you showed it in this blog. Very useful!!! Thanks! Can wait to try yours!!! Keep up your fantastic blog!!!
xo
Mitzi
http://www.nutritionexpert.com/blog
awesome recipe. I will so be making these and let you know! I think adding in some peanut flour, dried strawberries and some coaco nibs would be great. Like a PB&J bar with chocolate! Thanks for the recipe!
Oooh yum…these look delish…! And anything that tastes a little like cookie dough is fine by me! I would probably add in some dried fruit and maybe some dark chocolate…!
these sound swell! I think coconut would suit me! thanks Kristen
Wow, those look awesome! I love making my own granola bars, but need to start trying them with pumpkin butter!
These sound great – I love how short the ingredient list is!
Omg, I have been looking for a good no-bake bar recipe, and this looks perfect. Thanks!