Spicy Oat Bran Pumpkin Bars
Spicy Oat Bran Pumpkin Bars are moist, flavorful treats blending pumpkin, cinnamon, and raisins with hearty oat bran and oats, perfect for a comforting snack or dessert.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 cup packed brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin ⓘ
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 3/4 cup oat bran ⓘ
- 3/4 cup rolled oats ⓘ
- 1 cup raisins ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, beat together vegetable oil, packed brown sugar, and canned pumpkin until combined.
- In another bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground allspice.
- Stir in oat bran and rolled oats into the dry ingredients.
- Add the dry ingredients and raisins into the pumpkin mixture and stir until well combined.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the pan before cutting into bars.
Tips & Substitutions
For added moisture, consider substituting half of the vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce. You can also experiment with different spices like nutmeg or ginger for a unique flavor twist. If you prefer a sweeter bar, increase the brown sugar slightly. Ensure your baking powder is fresh for the best rise, and feel free to swap raisins with chocolate chips or nuts for a different texture.
Serving Suggestions
These Spicy Oat Bran Pumpkin Bars are delicious on their own or served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also pair beautifully with a warm cup of chai tea or coffee. For a festive touch, consider serving them alongside Aunt Alma'S Cranberry Salad for a delightful contrast of flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover pumpkin bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply microwave a bar for 15-20 seconds or enjoy them cold.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spicy Oat Bran Pumpkin Bars contains roughly 243 calories, with 2g protein, 45g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value) and calcium (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1248mg per serving (54% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can make these bars gluten-free by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular all-purpose flour. Make sure the baking powder you use is also gluten-free. The texture might vary slightly, but they should still turn out delicious.
Can I substitute the pumpkin with something else?
Absolutely! If you don't have canned pumpkin, you can use mashed sweet potatoes or applesauce as a substitute. Both will provide moisture and sweetness, though the flavor will differ slightly. Just ensure the consistency is similar to pumpkin puree for best results.
How can I make these bars healthier?
To make these bars healthier, consider reducing the amount of sugar or using a natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey. You can also add chopped nuts or seeds for added nutrition. Using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour increases fiber content, making these bars a more wholesome snack.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).