Healthy Pumpkin Bars (Gluten Free) Recipe
These Healthy Pumpkin Bars are a delicious gluten-free dessert or snack option, packed with pumpkin puree, almond butter, and a blend of warming pumpkin pie spices. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and studded with chocolate chips, these bars offer a moist and flavorful treat that’s perfect for fall or anytime you crave a wholesome sweet bite. Made with simple, natural ingredients and baked to perfection, they balance nutrition and taste effortlessly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup natural creamy almond butter (the only ingredient should be almonds – salt is also fine!)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond flour (or oat flour)
- 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt (if using unsalted almond butter, increase to 1/2 tsp. salt)
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, plus more for sprinkling overtop
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it with cooking spray to ensure the bars don’t stick.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, almond butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the almond flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and kosher salt to the wet ingredients. Whisk again until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined into a uniform batter.
- Incorporate Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top if desired for extra sweetness and texture.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 32 to 36 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and transfer to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before slicing into 12 squares for serving.
Notes
- These bars can also be made with cashew butter or peanut butter, although almond butter offers the best texture and flavor.
- STORE: Keep bars at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, then refrigerate due to the healthy fats, which make them less shelf-stable. When refrigerated, they last up to 4 additional days. Store in plastic wrap or an airtight container.
- FREEZE: Freeze sliced bars in a gallon-sized, freezer-safe bag with air removed for up to 2 months. For best texture, thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving.
