These Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are soft, chewy and easy to make with real pumpkin, cozy spices and wholesome oats. They are the perfect fall treat, snack or breakfast and are gluten-free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free and vegan.
Easy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bar Recipe
Looking for a healthy pumpkin dessert for fall? These Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are soft, chewy and a favorite once pumpkin season arrives. They’re made without any dairy or refined sugar making them perfect for those days you need a sweet healthy treat.
Plus they’re super simple to make with a soft and chewy oatmeal crust with lots of chocolate chips. You can serve them for breakfast, an afternoon snack or anytime you’re craving a sweet pumpkin dessert.
Ingredients you need:
- Pumpkin puree: Be sure to use pure sugar free canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) or homemade fresh pumpkin puree by roasting your own sugar pumpkins
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Use pre-made pumpkin pie spice or make your own in 2 minutes!
- Maple Syrup: You can also use vegan honey, date syrup or any sticky liquid sweetener of your choice.
- Coconut sugar: Just 2 tablespoons to sweeten things up. Sub with golden monk fruit sweetener or any brown sugar substitute you prefer.
- Almond butter: To hold the crumble together. Sub with any nut butter or seed butter.
- Baking Powder: Helps the crust rise slightly.
- Salt and vanilla: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and add flavor.
- Almond Milk: Or any unsweetened plant milk of choice.
- Rolled Oats: You’ll need 2 cups. Be sure to use certified gluten-free as needed. For a grain-free option, sub with 1 cup of roughly chopped sliced almonds and coconut flakes.
- Gluten-free Oat Flour: Use finely blended oat flour. You can also sub with fine almond flour.
- Pure vanilla extract + salt: adds flavor, balances sweetness and makes these healthy pumpkin bars delicious.
How to make Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang – this will help make it easier to remove from the pan once baked. Lightly grease or spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine the ingredients: In a bowl, add the pumpkin puree, nut butter, maple syrup, coconut sugar and milk. Whisk until fully combined. Add the oats, flour, pumpkin spice, baking powder and salt and mix until combined. Fold in chocolate chips if using any.
- Spread into Pan: Transfer the mixture to the baking pan and spread the top evenly. Sprinkle chocolate chips and a few chopped pecans on top.
- Bake: Bake for 30 – 35 min or until a toothpick comes out clean, but the top is still soft to touch.
- Cool and cut into bars: Allow to cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes then use the parchment paper to transfer to a cooling rack or cutting board. Cut into even squares and enjoy.
How To Store The Leftovers
To store these pumpkin bars, just simply transfer them to a reusable storage container and store in the refrigerator for up to four days. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the microwave and coat with your favorite nut butter or just allow them to come to room temperature.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes! These pumpkin crumb bars are perfectly freezer-friendly. Arrange the pumpkin oat bars in a single layer inside a reusable storage container or bag. Store these pumpkin squares in the freezer for up to six months. When ready to eat, allow the bars to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
What can you do with canned pumpkin
Try these healthy pumpkin recipes:
These Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are soft, chewy and easy to make with real pumpkin, cozy spices and wholesome oats. They are the perfect fall treat, snack or breakfast and are gluten-free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free and vegan.
- 3/4 cup pure canned pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie fillingd sweetener
- 1/4 cup creamy nut butter or seed butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or preferred sticky liqui
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or preferred milk
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 cups gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats , for a grain-free option, you can sub with 1 cup of roughly chopped sliced almonds and 1 cup of roughly chopped coconut flakes.
- 1/2 cup gluten-free finely blended oat flour or sub super fine almond flour
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup dairy-free or regular mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping
- 2 tsp chopped pecans for topping
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easier removal.
- In a bowl, add the pumpkin puree, nut butter, maple syrup, coconut sugar and milk. Whisk until fully combined.
- Add the oats, flour, pumpkin spice, baking powder and salt and mix until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips if using any.
- Transfer the mixture to the baking pan and spread the top evenly. Sprinkle chocolate chips and a few chopped pecans on top.
- Bake for 30 - 35 min or until a toothpick comes out clean, but the top is still soft to touch.
- Allow to cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes then use the parchment paper to transfer to a cooling rack or cutting board. Cut into even squares and enjoy.
How to Store
To store these pumpkin bars, just simply transfer them to a reusable storage container and store in the refrigerator for up to four days. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the microwave and coat with your favorite nut butter or just allow them to come to room temperature.
How to Freeze
Arrange the pumpkin oat bars in a single layer inside a reusable storage container or bag. Store these pumpkin squares in the freezer for up to six months. When ready to eat, allow the bars to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Karly -
These bars look delicious!
Trish - Mom On Timeout -
These are PERFECT Kelly! I’d eat these for breakfast FOR SURE 🙂 Pinned!
lisacng @ expandng.com -
Yessss, I’m on a baking fix and these sound right up my alley. I can eat them for breakfast because they have oatmeal in them right?
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures -
These are definitely a tempting fall treat! Yum!
Kelly -
Thanks Laura!