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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Pumpkin Raisin Baked Oatmeal Bars

It really wouldn't be hard to have pumpkin in every meal of the day.


All you'd have to do is have pumpkin soup for lunch, a side of roasted pumpkin with dinner, a couple pumpkin raisin cookies as snacks, and a pumpkin square or two for dessert.  Oh right, and one of these bars for breakfast.


There are so many great things about these Pumpkin Raisin Baked Oatmeal Bars, I wouldn't be surprised if you find yourself grabbing two.

For one, they're completely delicious.  Pumpkin-y goodness with juicy raisins and just the right amount of chew from the rolled oats.  Yum.  Also, these bars are unbelievably filling.  If you pair one with some plain greek yogurt, it will keep you full for hours.  Seriously, there will be no grumbling bellies with these in your morning routine.

I also recommend these as a breakfast for anyone who finds themself rushing out of the door in the morning without breakfast.  Don't ever skip breakfast just because you're in a rush.  It results in a definite bad day.  Instead, grab one of these bars and eat it on your way to work.  See?  Problem solved.


I'm not usually one to eat the same breakfast multiple days in a row, but when I made these, on a Sunday, I had one every morning until they were all gone.

I remember that was a really busy week and I was often pressed for time in the morning.  These bars really came in handy then, because I froze them , and then just reheated one in the microwave each morning and gobbled it up with some yogurt.  It took like 2 minutes.  Please tell me you have 2 minutes in the morning to incorporate in some delicious-ness.


I'll go ahead and give you the recipe now before you get bored and stop reading.  This is not a breakfast to miss out on.

Pumpkin Raisin Baked Oatmeal Bars
(makes 9 large squares)
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • pinch cloves
  • large pinch salt
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 2/3 cup milk of choice or water
  • 2 tsp maple syrup, or to taste
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 raisins
Preheat oven to 380F.  Combine all dry ingredients (not raisins) in a large bowl and mix well.  Add in pumpkin, milk/water,  maple syrup, and vanilla.  Stir to combine.  Mix in raisins.  Mixture with be wet and may not hold together.  Pour into greased 8x8 pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until oatmeal is firm.  Let cool before cutting.


So here's what all you busy, breakfast missing people should do:

Throw together these bars Sunday afternoon.  Cut them into squares.  Then, either freeze them if you like warm breakfasts, or just leave them in the fridge if you don't care.  Each morning, before sprinting out the door because you're late for this or that, reheat/grab a bar and you're good to go.  It's super easy and way healthier than going without anything.

Enjoy!


Revisited Recipe of the Day:

Baked Oatmeal Blueberry Muffin


16 comments:

  1. These oatmeal bars look so beautiful! Beautiful color and texture!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, but really, the color is all pumpkin's doing. Those things are beautiful!

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  2. I made them but they came out very soft and mushy in the inside. I even baked it for longer than the recipe called for. Are they supposed to come out this way?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're supposed to be soft on the inside, with a firmer and crispier top. I'm sorry for any confusion, I guess it's not the texture of most baked oatmeal.

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  3. This looks delicious! Can't wait to try it. Question, though: does 'milk of choice' include non-dairy milk (almond, rice, soy, etc)?

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    Replies
    1. It sure does! I think I actually made these bars with soy milk. The only thing I'd caution against is coconut milk, as it's a bit richer than the others.

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  4. Hi! I know I'm a little late to this party, but I baked these last night and am eating them right now. THEY ARE DELICIOUS!! I cut up an apple and layered the bottom of the pan with that and then put the oatmeal on top and then baked it. No raisins b/c I kind of hate them. Used water b/c out of milk. This morning, nuked it for 33 seconds, added half a cup of fage yoghurt and some fresh blueberries. Total of 199 calories, 5 g of fiber and 16 g of protein if one cares about those things. Healthy healthy heaven! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yum! I'm going to have to try the apple method. I'm so glad you liked them, and those are some pretty impressive nutrition stats as well. You are very welcome for the recipe :)

      Delete
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  10. Should the milk/water be 2/3 c. or 1 and 2/3 cups?

    ReplyDelete