Pumpkin Oat Bars

Yield: 16 bars

3 cups oats

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

pinch ground cloves

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup coconut sugar

1 tbsp olive or coconut oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup chocolate chips, plus 2 tablespoons for sprinkling on top

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. Place oats into a high-speed blender. Blend for 15 to 30 seconds, or until oats resemble flour. Measure out 2 1/2 cups of the oat flour.

3. In a medium bowl, add oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Set aside.

4. In a separate large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, applesauce, coconut sugar, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

5. Slowly add oat flour mixture to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

6. Gently fold in 1/3 cup of chocolate chips.

7. Pour batter into prepared pan and sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.

8. Cool for 15 minutes on wire rack. Cut into 16 slices.

https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/healthy-pumpkin-chocolate-chip-oat-bars-vegan-gluten-free/