Healthy Pumpkin Banana Bars

As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, a familiar aroma begins to waft through kitchens across the country: the warm and inviting scent of pumpkin spice. This seasonal flavor, a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, has become a hallmark of autumn, celebrated in everything from lattes to baked goods. Among the plethora of pumpkin spice recipes, one stands out for its delightful balance of health and taste: Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars.

Embrace the flavors of fall with these delicious and healthy Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars! Packed with wholesome ingredients like ripe bananas, pumpkin puree, and natural sweeteners, these bars are perfect for snacking or dessert without the guilt. Easy to prepare and customizable with nuts or chocolate chips, they’ll quickly become a staple in your recipe collection. Enjoy a cozy treat that satisfies your sweet tooth while nourishing your body this autumn!

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Ingredients

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)

1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

1/2 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust for sweetness)

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted (can substitute with vegetable oil)

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour (or gluten-free flour)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch

Optional: 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or raisins

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly with cooking spray.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, honey (or maple syrup), applesauce, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until you have a smooth and creamy mixture.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until evenly combined.

Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay!

Add Optional Ingredients: If desired, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans and the dark chocolate chips or raisins for extra flavor and texture.

Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are fine).

Cool: Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, lift them out using the parchment paper and cool completely on a wire rack.

Slice and Serve: Once cooled, cut into squares or bars. Enjoy them as a healthy snack or breakfast option!

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 minutes | 40 minutes | 12 bars