Salted Caramel Pumpkin Granola Bars with Chocolate Chips

I know it’s a controversial, but I am on the side of ALL THINGS PUMPKIN! It’s October, which means I want Pumpkin bread, Pumpkin Spice Lattes and even pumpkin pasta! I don’t even care if that makes me basic. I love it. Fall is truly my favorite time of year and I want to join in all the festivities the season has to offer. With that said, I am always looking for new recipes that involve the fruit of the month. Or is it a vegetable? Who knows and who cares. I came across one for pumpkin granola bars and thought I would attempt a healthier pumpkin recipe than my usual pumpkin bread or pumpkin cheesecake.

My kids love granola bars. I’ve gotten every (organic, of course) variety and they haven’t met one they don’t like. I thought I would try my hand at some homemade versions. You can give these to your kids for breakfast or a snack or you can package them up and hand them out to your neighbors or friends. 

See below for step x step instructions (with pictures) and scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe!

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Glass Bowls 

Recipe:

STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

STEP 2: Grease an 8×8 cake pan and line with parchment paper.

Cake Pan

STEP 3: Combine oats, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg & salt in a large mixing bowl.

Glass Bowl 

Glass Bowl

STEP 4: In another mixing bowl, add brown sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, honey and vanilla and whisk until combined.

Plastic Mixing Bowl 

Plastic Mixing Bowl 

STEP 5: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.

Glass Bowl 

Glass Bowl

STEP 6: Fold in mini chocolate chips, salted caramel chips and dried cranberries. 

Glass Bowl 

Glass Bowl

STEP 7: Pour the oats mixture into the prepared pan and press down evenly.

Cake Pan

STEP 8: Bake for 30-35 minutes. 

Cake Pan // Wire Rack

STEP 9: Let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes and then lift out of the pan. 

Cooling Rack 

STEP 10: Cool completely on a wire rack and then cut granola into strips or squares. 

Ramekin // Wood Cheeseboard (similar)

Wood Cheeseboard (similar) // Ramekin // Tea Towel 

Tea Towel // Wood Cheeseboard (similar) // Ramekin

Wood Cheeseboard (similar) // Ramekin // Tea Towel 

Products I used:

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Printable Recipe:

Salted Caramel Pumpkin Granola Bars with Chocolate Chips

Print

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup pumpkin
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2/3 cup salted caramel chips
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease an 8x8 square cake pan and line with parchment paper.
3. Combine oats, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large mixing bowl.
4. In another bowl, add brown sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, honey and vanilla and .whisk until combined.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
6. Fold in mini chocolate chips, salted caramel chips and dried cranberries.
7. Pour the oats mixture into the prepared pan and press down evenly.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
9. Let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes and then lift out of pan.
10. Cool completely on a wire rack and then cut granola into strips or squares.