Welcome to the ultimate autumn indulgence: these incredibly soft, moist, and utterly delicious Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars! As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin baking in your kitchen. This easy-to-make recipe is not just a dessert; it’s a celebration of fall, perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring on a cozy evening. Loaded with delightful chocolate chips and boasting wholesome oat goodness, these bars offer an irresistible charm that’s hard to resist. They’re a fantastic addition to any fall gathering, Halloween party, or Thanksgiving feast, bringing smiles with every bite.
If you’re a true pumpkin enthusiast, you’re in for a treat! Explore more delightful pumpkin creations like our
Perfect Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Bars,
the rich and creamy Ultimate Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting,
the decadent Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Brownies,
and the show-stopping Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie.
Why These Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars Are a Fall Favorite
October truly ushers in the most enchanting season of the year, and at its heart lies the beloved pumpkin. These Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars embody everything wonderful about autumn. They are a delightful fusion of wholesome ingredients and comforting flavors, making them an instant classic for anyone who loves fall baking. The combination of earthy pumpkin, hearty oats, and sweet chocolate chips creates a symphony of textures and tastes that resonates with the cozy spirit of the season.
This exceptional Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars recipe draws inspiration from our beloved
Delish Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars,
which are equally irresistible. If you’re seeking an even healthier twist on a pumpkin oat bar, you absolutely must try our
Pumpkin Cranberry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars. Both recipes promise a genuinely satisfying and flavorful experience.
Unleash Your Creativity: The Versatility of This Pumpkin Bar Recipe
What truly sets this pumpkin bar recipe apart is its incredible versatility. It’s a forgiving and adaptable recipe that encourages you to customize it to your heart’s content, whether you’re aiming for a healthier snack or a more decadent treat.
- For a Healthier, More Textured Bar: To boost the fiber and give your bars a chewier texture, consider substituting some of the all-purpose flour with oat flour. Additionally, opt for old-fashioned rolled oats instead of quick oats; they lend a more substantial and satisfying bite. This simple swap makes these pumpkin oat bars a guilt-free indulgence.
- Healthier Sugar Alternatives: For those mindful of sugar intake, easily switch out traditional sugars with natural, healthier alternatives. Monk fruit sweetener or coconut sugar can be used cup-for-cup, offering a similar sweetness profile with added nutritional benefits, making your homemade pumpkin bars even better for you.
- Achieve a Blondie-like Texture: If you prefer a denser, chewier texture reminiscent of blondies, simply omit one of the eggs from the recipe. This subtle change drastically alters the bar’s consistency, giving it a delightful richness.
-
Exciting Flavor Twists with Chips: Why stick to just one kind of chocolate? For a fun and flavorful twist, experiment with a combination of white chocolate chips,
peanut butter chips,
or butterscotch chips alongside the classic semi-sweet chocolate chips. Each addition brings a new layer of deliciousness to these chocolate chip pumpkin bars. -
Add Your Favorite Nuts: Elevate the crunch and nutty flavor by incorporating your preferred nuts. Pistachios, walnuts, macadamia nuts, or crunchy
pecans
are all excellent choices that complement the pumpkin and chocolate beautifully. - Embrace the Thanksgiving Vibes with Dried Cranberries: Dried cranberries are a personal favorite for pumpkin recipes! Their tartness perfectly balances the sweetness of the pumpkin and chocolate, and they instantly evoke a warm, festive Thanksgiving feeling.
Gather Your Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Oat Bars
Creating these delectable Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars begins with assembling high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired soft, moist texture and rich, autumnal flavor.
- Unsalted Butter, Softened: Essential for a tender crumb and rich flavor. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for smooth creaming with sugars.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like flavor that pairs wonderfully with pumpkin.
- Granulated Sugar: Contributes to the overall sweetness and helps create a balanced flavor profile.
- Canned Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient! Make sure it’s 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling. This provides the signature fall flavor and incredible moisture.
- Eggs: Act as a binder, providing structure and contributing to the bars’ richness and softness.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of our dry ingredients. If you’re not incorporating oats, use 2 cups of flour. For a healthier option, you can use a 1:1 ratio of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour.
- Baking Soda: Our leavening agent, which helps the bars rise and achieve their airy, yet chewy texture.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Pumpkin Spice: The quintessential blend of fall spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, that gives these bars their distinctive seasonal aroma and taste.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Provides a wonderful chewy texture and a wholesome heartiness. Quick oats can be used for a slightly softer bar.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The perfect sweet complement to the pumpkin and oats. Remember to reserve some for sprinkling on top before baking for that extra visual appeal and chocolatey burst.
How to Bake Your Own Delicious Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars
Follow these simple steps to create a batch of the most irresistible pumpkin oat chocolate chip bars your family and friends will rave about.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Lightly grease your chosen baking pans. You can use two 8×8 inch pans for thicker bars or one 13×9 inch pan for thinner, more uniform slices.
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, contributing to the bars’ soft texture.
- Add the canned pumpkin puree to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Beat well until the pumpkin is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and evenly colored.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully blended into the mixture before adding the next. This helps create a cohesive and emulsified batter.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt. Make sure these are well combined to ensure even distribution throughout the batter.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet pumpkin mixture. Mix on low speed or stir by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bars. A few streaks of flour are acceptable.
- Gently fold in the old-fashioned oats and most of the semi-sweet chocolate chips (remember to save some for sprinkling on top!). Mix until the oats and chocolate chips are just evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Evenly spread the batter into your prepared greased pans. If using two 8×8 inch pans, divide the batter equally. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips over the top of the batter in the pans.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes for two 8×8 inch pans, or 20-25 minutes for one 13×9 inch pan, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Crucial Tip: Do not over-bake! Over-baking can result in dry, crumbly bars. The bars should still be very soft in the center when removed from the oven, as they will continue to set as they cool.
- Allow the pumpkin bars to cool completely in the pans on a wire rack before cutting them into squares. This ensures they hold their shape perfectly.
- Once cooled and cut, store your delicious Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and moisture.
Storing Your Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars for Lasting Freshness
Proper storage is key to keeping your pumpkin bars moist and delicious for as long as possible.
- Room Temperature: For immediate enjoyment, these bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.
- Refrigerator: To extend their freshness, especially due to the pumpkin content, store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Bring them to room temperature or gently warm them for the best flavor and texture.
- Freezing: These bars freeze beautifully! Arrange cooled and cut bars in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for about an hour. Once solid, transfer them to a large zip-top freezer bag or an airtight container, separated by parchment paper, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.
These wholesome Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and subtly savory, infused with the quintessential flavors of autumn. Not only are they incredibly delicious, but they are also remarkably easy to prepare, making them an ideal treat for any occasion. Whether you need a quick breakfast on the go, a satisfying afternoon snack, or a comforting dessert after dinner, these bars deliver.
Beyond being a crowd-pleaser, these bars offer more than just great taste. The oats provide essential fiber, while pumpkin contributes vitamins and minerals, making them a more nutritious option compared to many other desserts. This simple yet powerful combination of ingredients creates a scrumptious treat that is guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds and leave you feeling energized and content.
I genuinely have no reservations about enjoying these Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Bars, and neither should you! (Unless, of course, you manage to devour an entire pan by yourself – who, me?) Seriously, you can never go wrong with a generous batch of these delightful bars. They are always a hit and always bring joy. So go ahead, whip up a batch today and immerse yourself in the warm, inviting flavors of fall!
More Irresistible Pumpkin Desserts for Lovers of Fall Flavors
- Plush Pumpkin Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Magic Custard Cake
- 20 Smashing Pumpkin Breads for Fall!
- “CopyCat” Starbucks Pumpkin Pound Cake
- Amish Country Pumpkin Custard Pie
- Old Fashioned Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Best 10 Pumpkin Poke Cakes
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Cutest Decorated Pumpkin Patch Chocolate Cupcakes
Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Recipe by Kim Lange
These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars are incredibly soft, moist, and utterly delicious! They’re the perfect fall dessert to share (or keep all to yourself!). Absolutely addicting!
Print Recipe
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Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Course: Dessert
Servings: 15 Servings
Calories: Not available
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (If not using oats, use 2 cups of flour. Can also use ½ wheat flour and ½ all-purpose flour for a healthier option.)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats (or quick oats)
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (save out some for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Then add pumpkin and beat until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time until well blended.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt together in a separate bowl. Pour and stir into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until just combined.
- Spread into two 8×8 inch greased pans or one 13×9 inch greased pan. Add saved out chocolate chips and sprinkle on top. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes for the two 8×8 inch pans, or 20-25 minutes for the 13×9 inch pan, or until just light brown.
- Do not over-bake for best results.
- Cool completely, cut into bars, and store in an airtight container.
Notes
- To make these more like blondie-ish bars, omit one egg.
- Add fewer chocolate chips to the batter for a less intense chocolate flavor.
Keywords: bars, fall baking, halloween, pumpkin, pumpkin bars, pumpkin oat bars, chocolate chip pumpkin bars
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