Last month while I was visiting my family back in Romania I got together with some friends from high school. It was such a wonderful night full of laughter, sweet memories and delicious meals. We could not believe there have been more than 10 years since we finished high school and everyone went on different paths. Some of them I met in college again, but just a couple. Some I met years later. Some I stillhaven’t met since out last high school day.
When high school end some of the best days begin some may say. Collage years were so much fun I have to agree. Moving out of my parents’ house . New roommates. Chit-chatting with friends until dawn. Weekend getaways. Loved every second of it. Well, at least until mid-term exams come knocking at the door. Those were the not so livin’ la vita loca days.
Those days all we wanted and needed was lots of coffee, grab and go snacks and tons of luck.
While Charlie is having her mid-term exams (best of luck my friend) I’m supposed to share a vegetarian dish with you. At first I had my mind set on an easy dinner idea each student can put together in less than 30 minutes but after seeing these pumpkin bars. I immediately changed my mind and took the oats out of the cupboard.
Energy bars and a big cup of coffee is on every student’s mind this time of the year.
To make these granola bars is very simple and it doesn’t require sophisticated and expensive kitchen gadgets. All you need are a big bowl, measuring cups, a wooden spoon or a spatula and an 11X7 baking pan.
Start by preheating the oven and greasing your baking pan.
Measure your dry ingredients. Rolled oats. Walnuts pieces. Pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin pie spices.Mix them all in a bowl and set aside.
Time for the wet ingredients. Canned pumpkin. Applesauce. Maple syrup.
Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Spread mixture evenly into the baking pan. Bake for about 30 minutes until golden. Let cool slightly and cut into bars using a sharp knife (mine is pretty dull but let’s not get into details)
Please follow me to my friend Charlie’s blog for complete list of ingredients and directions
Thank you all for being here today, you have a special place in my heart.
Sending you lots of love,
Roxana
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
These bars are great for those that are even out of school! It seems like a lot of people that work start to drag around 2 pm. These would be a nice treat to get back on track. Like that you have included the seeds as well as the pumpkin. Well done!
Throughout my 'Loca' moments and pulling all nighters with my studies…much coffee was had and granola bars were often by its side.
Roxanne, these bars are very timely because I've been wanting to make something different with all the extra squash I've been mashing lately ;o)
Glad to read that your time in Romania was truly cherishable.
Ciao for now and flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Such a beautiful bars…
Oh, how yummy! And these are so perfect, you could sell them commercially. Roxana, you are amazing! Off to check your guest post~
I love these bars Roxana look amazing!!! gloria
this is my first seeing pumpkin used in a granola bar! i love it!
and using chia seeds to thicken chili is AWESOME. i will try that next time!
Yay, I love both your and Charlie's blogs, so I love seeing you two work together!
Glad to know that u having a great time while u in romania roxana
and tq for sharing the pic and recipe link for this healthy granola!
loves the pic!
These look amazing! I love the combination of flavors! I can’t wait to see your new kitchen!
Roxana, these bars look so luscious! I would have loved to have your recipe when I was a student
These are so delicious and definitely a winner with coffee for a quick brain booster while studying! Sure beats the packets of shortbread I used to devour when studying. When I got up, my bum was instantly bigger. Should have gone for these granola goodness bars…hm.
First time hearing of granola bars using pumpkin
it looks delicious. Healthy too. I just bake a pumpkin cake 
I love pumpkin in pie too whatmore in a granola bar. Thanks for the recipe 
Those look healthy and tasty. I love granola bar snacks.
yummy looking pumpkin bars Roxana
I love pumpkin and these look great and healthy. Love it!
Beautiful granola pumpkin bars and I don't think they're dull at all.
What other ingredients can I use besides rolled oats?Bcoz my girls don't like them.
These granola bars look like the perfect fall snack!
Those look like a perfect way to start the day!!!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
Roxana these sound delicious! I have been looking for a good pumpkin granola bar recipe, and yours sounds perfect! I am going to have to try them. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Love the simplicity of the recipe, yet so full of gorgeous flavor! I am still learning all I can on vegan recipes, they are so healthy and fun! This looks fantastic:-) Hugs, Terra
Love these bars, great fall flavors. So glad you had a great time catching up with friends!!
Midterms, not days I wish to repeat. Sounds like you had fun visiting home. Yummy looking bars. Hope you have a great week.
-Gina-
I would totally grab one of these on my way out for yoga! They look so yummy! I would love for you to link them up to my pumpkin blog hop:
http://deelicioussweets.blogspot.com/2011/10/ill-love-you-til-end-of-vine-and-linky.html
This looks amazing as always..there is no shock there..you manage to make wonderful treats all the time! I love your recipe, and an amazing photos..Congrats on the guest post!!
Yummy looking granola pumpkin bars, Roxana! Love the recipe, and the beautiful photos, as well!
I really enjoyed reading your post about meeting up with your high school friends!
Hugs,
Roxana – these look absolutely delicious…and your photos *sigh* they are SOOOooooo amazing! It's amazing how fast time passes, isn't it?
Glad there are no midterms in my life any more. I'd like to have this delicious looking granola bar for my morning coffee right now. I'm going over to get the recipe.
These are the perfect energy bars…love the pumpkin & sweet memories you share with us.
Roxana these look wonderful, love how simple they are and healthy too
Sounds wonderful, love those pumpkin pie spices.
I miss catching up with my friends ! This is one healthy bar and pumpkins are my fav
I luv, luv these granola pumpkin bars! You've presented them so beautifully that I want to make these as soon as I can find some pepitas/pumpkin seeds. Just lovely and healthy goodness.
Delicious looking pumpkin bars! I've never had pumpkin bars and I'm so curious to taste these! It's nice to hear you enjoyed time with your old friends back home.
I wish this blog existed when I was still in college and was cramming for those exams…. oh, the sleepless nights! These gorgeous pumpkin bars would sure be welcome in my dorm
.
Vegan pumpkin granola bars sound amazing, I just made a vegan pumpkin choc chip loaf that you would never think was vegan. The pumpkin puree gives such great sweetness and keeps things moist, it's my new favourite ingredient. Unfortunately you can't buy it in cans here, I have to make my own
Thanks for the visit sweetie~ I love granola bars yours are so perfect and healthy and right in time for fall!
I saw these pics the other day while stumbling and thought to myself 'Roxana is back!' I am so happy to see your clean and beautiful pictures again – and these bars – ooh yeah – they aren't too bad sounding themselves!
Oh Wow, how perfect Vegan pumpkin bars! I loved the recipe and absolutely loved my stay here!!
It is always fun to catch up with high school friends. There are about 10 of us who meet up quite regularly. We always have too much food and drinks. There are always so much to share and so much to laugh about. Your pumpkin bars sounds like a good snacks to have around.
I love the sounds of these bars and I think I even have all the ingredients on hand to make them! They look so healthy – something I could use a little more of.
I'm following! The perfect balance between snacky (a word?) and healthy…a rare nutritious-delicious dichotomy. Perfect find for a little boost mid-day.
these look so good and love the pic its lovely seeing old friends
Pumpkin granola bars is looking very yummy and I just loved this Pumpkin granola. Looking great.
Who knew that granola bars were so simple to make? I'm sitting here wondering why I'm still buying them. I'll be testing these out on my kids for sure! Hope you're doing well Roxana.
What a great way to incorporate pumpkin. These bars sound like a great snack. Love that they're vegan, too! x
@ Lyn,
if your girls don't like rolled oats I would suggest using wheat or rye flakes instead, but you may have to adjust the ratio of dry/wet ingredients. I can't quite tell you how much since I haven't use any of them yet. Hope this helps.
I have two pumpkins on the back deck waiting to be roasted and used in recipes. This one could be their fate!
I have to get the recipe from Charlie's blog. These bars look fantastic and so healthy:)
Mmm these look fantastically healthy. I never thought of adding pumpkin to granola bars.
The bars look so good and your pictures look amazing as always.
I sweetie, I am trying to catch up a bit. So glad you had such a good time with your family and got to spend time with old friends as well
Pumpkin is such a fun flavor for these granola bars, they look fantastic!
What are the measurements for these ingredients?
Hi Kenz,
The full recipe is found on my friend Charlie’s blog where I was guest posting. Here’s the direct link.
http://sweetsaltyspicy.net/2011/10/guest-post-by-a-little-bit-of-everything-granola-pumpkin-bars.html
Roxana
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