Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

These super fluffy pumpkin oatmeal bars are the perfect healthy recipe to make for an easy breakfast or snack! Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and made with oat flour, pumpkin puree, and rolled oats.

The best pumpkin oatmeal bars

Pumpkin spice recipes are essential in the Fall. I love these pumpkin baked oats and these pumpkin oat pancakes. But, I have to admit that these pumpkin oatmeal bars are my favorite. They are super moist and fluffy and make for the perfect autumn breakfast, snack, and dessert recipe.

Let’s not forget that these oatmeal bars are also healthy! They are naturally sweetened with maple syrup, made with rolled oats and homemade oat flour, and loaded with canned pumpkin. These bars are gluten-free and dairy-free.

I love baking a batch of these pumpkin oat bars over the weekend and enjoying a square (or three) every day throughout the week. One of the best things about this easy Fall recipe is that it makes for the perfect meal prep snack and breakfast—ideal for busy moms, people, and athletes.

Why you’ll love these healthy pumpkin oat bars:

I love how fluffy and moist these oatmeal bars are. They satisfy my sweet tooth but are also healthy and taste like pumpkin pie. Here is why you will love this recipe: 

• Quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes.
• Naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
• Moist, light & fluffy.
• Top with chocolate chips or nuts. 
• Perfect for kids.
• Easy meal prep snack, breakfast & dessert.
• Made with oat flour and rolled oats.
• Full of fiber, protein, and whole grains.
• Pumpkin oatmeal bars are healthy, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

Ingredients needed

I love recipes that only call on simple ingredients. To be exact, you’ll need 10 ingredients for these gluten-free pumpkin oat bars. Here is a list of ingredients you need, just make sure to scroll to the bottom of this blog post to get measurements:

• Eggs: Used to bind the oatmeal bars together and give them their fluffy texture. Eggs also add protein. 
• Pumpkin Puree: Don’t confuse pumpkin puree with pumpkin pie filling, they are different!
• Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup gives these pumpkin oatmeal bars the perfect natural sweetness. There is no refined sugar in this recipe.
• Coconut Sugar: Plus some coconut sugar, so a little extra sweetness; this is a refined sugar-free sweetener!
• Coconut Oil: To keep these pumpkin oat bars super moist and dairy free.
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon of vanilla flavor goes a long way.
• Oat Flour: Homemade oat flour to make these bars super fluffy; plus, it makes this recipe free of refined flours and 100% gluten-free.
• Rolled Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats add the best texture to these bars. It’s packed with fiber and whole grains too.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: For the best Fall flavor. Keep reading to get a recipe to make your own.
• Baking Soda: To help these bars rise properly, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Baking soda is NOT the same as baking powder.
• Chocolate Chips: I love adding chocolate chips in my bars to satisfy all those chocolate cravings. You can also use pecans, walnuts, or almonds!

Ingredient substitution suggestions

I love this recipe as is, but if you need to substitute an ingredient or two, here is a list of the best ingredient swaps:

• Coconut Sugar: swap out with light brown sugar.
• Coconut Oil: use melted butter or natural oil like sunflower oil or even olive oil.
• Rolled Oats: you can use quick oats here, but the texture will be softer. Do not use steel-cut oats.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon + 1 teaspoon of allspice + 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger + 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg + 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves.
• Add Nuts: add in chopped pecans or walnuts, or swap them out for the chocolate chips.

Kitchen tools required

You only need four everyday kitchen tools to make the best ever pumpkin oatmeal bars. Here are exactly the tools you’ll need:

• 8×8 Baking Pan
• Parchment Paper 
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Wisk
• Measuring tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1/2 cup.

How to make healthy pumpkin oatmeal bars

Healthy pumpkin bars come together in three easy steps. We start by whisking the wet ingredients, then adding in the dry ingredient, and finally, we bake them. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make oatmeal pumpkin bars: 

Step 1:

First, preheat your oven to 350ºF and line or grease an 8×8 pan with parchment.

Step 2:

Next, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.

Step 3:

After that, add in your homemade oat flour, rolled oats, pumpkin pie spice, and baking soda. Use a spatula to mix the batter together and gently fold in chocolate chips (or nuts).

Step 4:

Finally, pour the batter it into the lined pan and sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top. Then, bake them for 24 – 26 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the bars are fluffy and golden.

Let the bars cool completely before cutting in and enjoy your pumpkin spice bars!

Taste & Texture:

These oatmeal pumpkin bars are sweet and warmly spiced. The main flavor comes from the pumpkin pie spice.

Once baked, these pumpkin bars are fluffy, moist, and have the same texture as baked oatmeal. They are soft and not chewy.

Are pumpkin oat bars healthy?

Yes! These pumpkin oatmeal bars are absolutely healthy. Pumpkin oat bars are made with simple ingredients that are good for you. They are full of whole grains and are made gluten free and refined sugar free. Since they are naturally sweetened with maple syrup and a dash of coconut sugar, these bars are definitely healthy.

Pumpkin puree vs pumpkin pie filling

This recipe calls for pumpkin puree or “canned pumpkin,” NOT pumpkin pie filling. The difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling is that pumpkin puree is just pureed pumpkin with no additional ingredients. Pumpkin pie filling typically has many spices and added sugars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Yes, you can substitute quick oats for rolled oats in this recipe; however, the texture of the bars may be a bit softer.

What to enjoy pumpkin oatmeal bars with?

There are so many great options for how to elevate these pumpkin bars to the next level. I love topping them with some peanut butter or almond butter, Greek yogurt, or butter in the morning. If you want to make them into an even better dessert, you can serve them with some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream topping and eat them like pumpkin pie!

How do you make homemade oat flour?

Homemade oat flour is so easy to prepare. All you need to do is take rolled oats and blend them until you have a flour-like consistency. To make 1 cup of oat flour, you will need to blend about 1.5 cups of rolled oats.

Can I make them vegan?

To make this recipe vegan, substitute the eggs with 2 flax eggs.

Can I add nuts?

Yes, you can certainly add chopped pecans or walnuts to these pumpkin oatmeal bars for extra crunch. I recommend adding 1/2 cup.

Can I use store bought oat flour?

Store-bought oat flour is typically denser than homemade oat flour, so if you use it make sure to spoon and level it, so you don’t add too much. Your bars will be dry if you add too much flour.

Do they taste like baked oatmeal?

Yes, these are baked oatmeal squares! That is why these pumpkin oat bars are perfect for breakfast.

Can I freeze pumpkin oat bars?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze pumpkin oatmeal bars. Once you make them, let them cool COMPLETELY, and then place them into freezer-safe containers or bags. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy them, let them defrost overnight in the fridge or heat them in the oven at 350°F for 5 – 10 minutes or microwave for 45 seconds for the best results!

How to store leftovers:

I love this recipe because it is perfect to make and store throughout the week. Simply store leftover pumpkin spice bars in an airtight container or cover the original baking pan with aluminum foil. Store at room temperature for 3 – 4 days. Either enjoy them at room temperature or place them in the microwave for 20 seconds to warm.

If you loved this recipe, try these next!

• pumpkin protein muffins
• banana pumpkin muffins
• pumpkin protein pancakes
• healthy chocolate chip oatmeal bars

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

These super fluffy pumpkin oatmeal bars are the perfect healthy recipe to make for an easy breakfast or snack! Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and made with oat flour, pumpkin puree, and rolled oats.

5 from 19 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Serving 12 bars

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup pumpkin puree, (150g)
• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup coconut sugar
• ½ cup melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅔ cup oat flour, homemade* see notes
• ¾ cup rolled oats, gluten-free or regular
• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ cup chocolate chips

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line or grease an 8×8 pan with parchment and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract.
• Add in homemade oat flour, rolled oats, pumpkin spice, and baking soda. Mix and gently fold in chocolate chips.
• Evenly pour batter into the lined pan and sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top.
• Bake for 24 – 26 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and bars are golden brown.
• Let cool before cutting into bars and enjoy!

Notes

Homemade Oat Flour: Blend rolled oats or quich oats in a high-speed blender until it resembles flour. This should take about 30 – 55 seconds, depending of the power of your blender.

Coconut Sugar: You can substitute with light brown sugar.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon + 1 teaspoon of all spice + 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger + 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg + 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves.

Coconut Oil: You can substitute with melted butter or a natural oil like sunflower oil.

Rolled Oats: You can substitute with quick oats; however, the texture will be softer.

Freezing: Once you make them, let them cool COMPLETELY and then place them into freezer safe containers or bags. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Storing: Simply store leftover pumpkin spice bars in an airtight container or cover the original baking pan with aluminum foil. Store at room temperature for 3 – 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1630IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks

Cuisine American, Healthy

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