Maple Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
Relish in the delightful blend of maple sweetness and pumpkin spice with these nutritious energy bars. Adapted from Penzeys Spices Winter 2015, these bars combine hearty ingredients like oats, great northern beans, and semi-sweet chocolate chips to offer a satisfying snack that's both wholesome and delicious. Perfect for a quick energy boost or a post-workout treat, these bars are easy to prepare and make use of simple pantry staples. Packed with fiber and protein, they’re great for meal prep and can be easily stored for later enjoyment.
15
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
great northern beans
15 ounces (drained and rinsed)
pumpkin puree
1/2 cup (none)
pure maple syrup
1/2 cup (none)
apple pie spice or cinnamon
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
oats
1 1/2 cups (rolled, old-fashioned or quick)
whole wheat flour
1 cup (none)
Raisin Bran cereal
1/2 cup (none)
semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan by greasing it lightly.
2
In a food processor, combine the drained and rinsed great northern beans, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, apple pie spice (or cinnamon), and salt. Blend this mixture until extremely smooth, ensuring no chunks remain.
3
Add the whole wheat flour to the processor and pulse until the mixture is well combined.
4
Next, add the oats and pulse a few times to incorporate them evenly.
5
Transfer the mixture into a large mixing bowl.
6
Fold in the Raisin Bran cereal and semi-sweet chocolate chips using a spatula. Check the consistency of the mixture; if it's too dry, add up to 1/4 cup of water. If it's too wet, stir in an additional 1/4 cup of flour to achieve a spreadable consistency.
7
Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Use a spatula dipped in water or your hands to help smooth it out.
8
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden and the bars feel set to the touch.
9
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut them into 1-2 inch squares.
10
Carefully remove each bar from the pan, wrap individually in plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Maple Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Protein Bars?
These are nutritious energy bars that blend the flavors of maple and pumpkin with hearty ingredients like oats and great northern beans for a protein-rich snack.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 15 ounces of great northern beans, which should be drained and rinsed before use.
Can I substitute the great northern beans?
While great northern beans are recommended for their mild flavor, you could likely substitute them with other white beans like cannellini or navy beans.
How is the pumpkin incorporated?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree, which is blended with the beans and syrup to create a smooth base.
What sweetener is used in these bars?
The bars are sweetened with 1/2 cup of pure maple syrup, providing a natural sweetness without refined sugars.
Are these protein bars gluten-free?
As written, they contain whole wheat flour and Raisin Bran, so they are not gluten-free. However, you can use gluten-free flour and oats to adapt them.
What spices are recommended for this recipe?
You can use either one teaspoon of apple pie spice or cinnamon to achieve the desired pumpkin spice flavor profile.
What kind of oats should I use?
The recipe is versatile and allows for rolled, old-fashioned, or quick oats.
What is the purpose of the food processor in this recipe?
The food processor is used to blend the beans, pumpkin, syrup, and spices until they are extremely smooth to ensure a pleasant texture.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 15 servings when cut into squares.
What size baking pan should I use?
You should use a 9x13 inch baking pan that has been lightly greased.
What temperature should the oven be?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long do the bars need to bake?
The bars typically bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the bars feel set.
What should I do if the batter is too dry?
If the consistency is too dry, you can add up to 1/4 cup of water to reach a spreadable texture.
What should I do if the batter is too wet?
If the mixture is too wet, stir in an additional 1/4 cup of flour before spreading it into the pan.
Is there a trick to smoothing the batter in the pan?
Using a spatula dipped in water or using your hands can help smooth the mixture evenly into the baking pan.
Can I add Raisin Bran cereal to the food processor?
No, the Raisin Bran and chocolate chips should be folded in by hand using a spatula after the main mixture is processed.
How should these bars be stored?
For optimal freshness, wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator.
Are these bars suitable for meal prep?
Yes, they are excellent for meal prep as they can be easily stored and grabbed for a quick snack or post-workout treat.
Can I use chocolate chips other than semi-sweet?
Yes, you can substitute dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips depending on your preference.
Why are these considered protein bars?
The protein content comes from the combination of great northern beans, oats, and whole wheat flour.
Do I need to peel the beans?
No, simply drain and rinse the canned beans before processing them; the food processor will handle the texture.
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree?
It is better to use pumpkin puree as pie filling contains added sugars and spices that may alter the recipe's balance.
Are these bars low in sodium?
The recipe only uses 1/4 teaspoon of salt, but the total sodium will depend on the canned beans and cereal used.
What is the texture of these bars like?
They have a soft, dense, and slightly chewy texture similar to a hearty energy bar.
How small should the squares be cut?
The recipe suggests cutting them into 1-2 inch squares once they have cooled completely.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes, you can fold in chopped walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips for extra crunch.
Do I need to cool the bars before cutting them?
Yes, allowing the bars to cool completely in the pan helps them set so they don't crumble when cut.
Is this a vegan recipe?
It can be vegan if you ensure your semi-sweet chocolate chips and Raisin Bran cereal are specifically vegan-friendly.
What is the source of fiber in these bars?
Fiber is provided by the beans, pumpkin puree, oats, whole wheat flour, and Raisin Bran cereal.