Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bar Bites

Yields: 25 granola bar bites

These granola bar bites are always a huge hit! They taste like the epitome of fall with their warm spices and cozy pumpkin flavor, and the rich chocolate chips add such an irresistible touch. Leftovers will keep for at least one week if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

1 ½ cups (45g) crisp brown rice cereal
1 cup (100g) old-fashioned oats (measured like this and gluten-free if necessary)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground allspice
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground ginger
2 large egg whites, room temperature
¼ cup (61g) pumpkin purée, room temperature (not pumpkin pie mix!)
3 tbsp (45mL) pure maple syrup
½ tsp salt
2 ½ tbsp (35g) miniature chocolate chips, divided

Preheat the oven to 300°F, and coat an 8”-square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, stir together the rice cereal, oats, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites. Stir in the pumpkin, maple syrup, and salt, mixing until thoroughly combined. Stir in the rice cereal mixture. Gently fold in 2 tablespoons of miniature chocolate chips.
Gently press the mixture into the prepared pan using a spatula, and gently press the remaining chocolate chips into the top. Bake at 300°F for 12-15 minutes or until the center feels firm to the touch. Cool completely to room temperature in the pan before slicing into squares.

Notes: This is the brown rice cereal that I use. Regular crisp rice cereal (like Rice Krispies) may be substituted for the brown rice cereal. In a pinch, lightly crushed rice pocket cereal may also be substituted.

Instant oats may be substituted for the old-fashioned oats. Do not substitute steel-cut oats.

If you prefer, 2 teaspoons of store-bought pumpkin spice may be substituted for the cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.

Remember to measure the oats correctly, using this method or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I own and love!) Too many oats will dry out the granola bar bites, and the ingredients won’t fully incorporate. If this happens to you, then add 1-2 tablespoons of milk (any type will work!) until all of the ingredients can be fully incorporated.

Honey or agave may be substituted for the pure maple syrup.

I do not recommend substituting regular-sized chocolate chips. Their bigger size causes the granola bar bites to fall apart. If you only have regular-sized chocolate chips, then chop them with a knife first!

{gluten-free, clean eating, low fat}

Recipe by Amy's Healthy Baking at https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2018/10/21/healthy-pumpkin-chocolate-chip-granola-bar-bites/