Step 1:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2:

In a large bowl, blend the pumpkin puree, almond butter, and maple syrup until smooth. This forms the moist base of the bars.

Step 3:

Add the rolled oats, oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to the pumpkin mixture. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.

Step 4:

Fold in the chocolate chips, distributing them throughout the mixture for sweet, melty pockets in every bite.

Step 5:

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. This will ensure consistent cooking and texture throughout the bars.

Step 6:

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7:

Allow the bars to cool in the dish before slicing into squares. This cooling time helps the bars set and makes them easier to cut.

Variation

For an extra spice kick, add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the batter. You can also replace almond butter with peanut butter or sunflower seed butter depending on your preference or dietary needs.