These pumpkin pie bars are loaded with streusel and are a fun alternative to traditional pumpkin pie! With gluten-free and 100% whole grain options.
I originally wanted to make an almond flour based crust and top it off with the same streusel topping I used here, but then I realized how dumb that was. That would have dirtied up another two bowls and made the whole process even longer.
Plus, let’s be honest – an almond flour crust wouldn’t have been as good as this streusel-like one. I love baking with almond flour but it’s just so darned hard to compete with oats and oat flour.
So now you’ve got one mixture for the crust and topping. The result is incredibly easy and it couldn’t be tastier.
I used oats and oat flour making these pumpkin pie bars gluten-free and 100% whole grain but I kind of dropped the ball on the dairy-free thing. I bet you could use canned coconut milk for the evaporated milk in the filling. For a topping, this vegan caramel sauce would be perfect.
But using coconut oil instead of butter in the streusel in the crust / topping would probably require a little reworking (a slight reduction in the amount of fat). If you try it out, I’d love to hear how it goes!
You can serve these pumpkin pie bars as is or with whipped cream or this salted maple caramel sauce. I preferred the caramel sauce but whatever floats your boat. :)
Maybe ice cream would also be good? Or maybe not. I don’t think I’ve ever had a pumpkin dessert served with ice cream. I guess it’s time to try that out!
Something else I’m not sure about is doubling the recipe for a 9″x13″ or using a tart pan. I think some more experimenting is in order!
This no-bake pumpkin Nutella cheesecake or these pumpkin caramel layer bars also look awesome!
Pumpkin Pie Streusel Bars (gluten-free, 100% whole grain options)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 16 bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups (115 grams) oat flour (use certified gluten-free, if necessary)1
- 2 cups (180 grams) rolled oats (use certified gluten-free rolled oats, if necessary)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 cup (200 grams) brown or raw sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (196 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 15-ounce (425-gram) can pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup (67 grams) granulated or raw sugar
- 1/3 cup (67 grams) brown or coconut sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice2
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) evaporated milk
For the crust and topping:
For the filling:
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Line an 8" x 8" pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Prepare the crust and topping. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oat flour, oats, cinnamon, sugar and salt. Stir in the butter until well combined.
- Pat half of the mixture firmly onto the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 18 - 22 minutes or until lightly golden brown. The crust will bubble a little during baking.
- Let the crust cool for 5 - 10 minutes while preparing the filling.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together all the filling ingredients. Pour evenly over the crust and bake for 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and add walnut-sized pieces of the remaining oat mixture over the filling. It will be a very thick layer and some of it will sink a little into the filling. Bake for another 30 minutes or until the filling is golden brown and firm and the middle is set.
- Let cool for 1 hour and serve with whipped cream or maple caramel sauce.
- Cool completely before covering. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- You can also make your own oat flour! To make oat flour, pulse quick or rolled oats in a food processor or coffee grinder until finely ground.
- If you don't have pumpkin pie spice on hand, make your own using 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
Recipe is from my post on My Baking Addiction: Gluten-free pumpkin pie streusel bars
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119 comments on “Pumpkin Pie Bars (gluten-free, whole grain options)” — Add one!
Hi I am wanting to make these for my husband but I am not sure of the calorie content per serving. Is there a way that you could let me know so I can know for myself since I am on a diet and so my husband has a yummy gluten free treat? Thanks!
I’m sorry for just now answering your question! I just got back from vacation. I don’t have the calories but you could use this recipe analyzer for the nutritional profile. :)
This looks amazing. Can you recommend a gluten free substitute for the oats and oat flour? I react to gluten free oats as many people with celiac disease do. TIA.
Thanks! But I unfortunately can’t. I’ve not found a good sub for oats or oat flour.
You might want to try rolled quinoa flakes, but it’s just a guess, and though they are definitely gluten free, if you eat quinoa then you know the crusty and young will definitely have that stronger quinoa flavor…
Thanks for the tip! I agree that it’d definitely have a strong quinoa flavor. :) But it might work!
So yummy and my guests were impressed too!
I did make whipped cream with a little vanilla and sugar to top them. Great recipe as is … well done ❤️
I’m happy to hear that you and your guests enjoyed the bars! Your vanilla sugar whipped cream sounds heavenly. :) Thanks for your comment!
That streusel though! So glad you kept it how it is because I go for the slice with the most topping ;)
Haha. Sounds like a good method! :D
These look amazing! I love having gluten free options in addition to all of the other favorites.
Thanks so much, Tonia!
The streusal bars are an unbelievably delicious pumpkin dessert, i was looking for a good thanksgiving treat for my grandaughter and it ended up being so scrumptious everyone would have had 3rds if they could have. I never made the carmel sauce (don’t think it was missed) but had lactose free whipped cream. From now on this is our new holiday dessert.
I’m so happy that everyone enjoyed the pumpkin bars! And it makes me so happy to hear that this is your new holiday dessert. I’m honored. :) Thanks so much for your feedback!
I’m pasting the two reviews these bars have gotten so far so that you don’t have to sift through giveaway entries. :)
Janine’s comment – Just made these, but substituted baked apples for the pumpkin. I also used quinoa flour instead of the oat flour, as that is what I had. It came out great and was a hit at dinner last night! Seems like it is a pretty flexible recipe.
Rating: 5/5
Shelly Roy’s comment:
Erin, YUMMY! I made a few minor changes, I used Truvia baking blend in place of the sugar in the filling. Wow, these are totally amazing. My hubby ‘found’ them when he got home from a trip and has been taking sneak bites for two days. LOL Thanks for a new favorite recipe.
Rating: 5/5
Hi, can you tell me what does all spice contain? i suppose it’s a mix of spices, unfortunately i cant find it anywhere! Thx alot. Love all your recipes, everything i’ve tried came out perfect, just like in your pictures:)
Aww, thanks. What a nice thing to say! :) And allspice isn’t a mix of spices – it’s just allspice. Here’s some info on it. And here’s a recipe for a sub. I hope that helps!
Chocolate ginger cookies.
I love all sorts of holiday treats, but sugar cookies are one of my favorites.
Cookies, any type
My favorite Christmas treat is Peppermint Bark.
My mom used to make candied pecans and buckeyes every year! I’d pass out baggies of the pecans to friends at school. They would look forward to it just as much as I did. The house smelled amazing.
love all good chocolate and I’m german. :O)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE pumpkin bread. Mothers make it best!
My favorite holiday treat is egg nog and the best I’ve ever had is one I made using Alton Brown’s recipe.
My favorite holiday treat is probably chocolate ice-box pie!
My favorite holiday treat are sugar cookies and peanut butter blossoms. Thanks :)
Wow- this giveaway sounds fantastic! I have an obsession with international candies, so let’s hope I get lucky with one! :)
Good luck! :)
My fiance makes me these dairy free gluten free sugar free peppermint patties this time of year. They are why I am marrying him.
Hahaha. Love this comment. :D
I love it all!!!
I love truffles! When my youngest daughter attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY she brought home samples of the various sweets that she made in her classes-her truffles were my favorite. She then went on to make $1000 worth of them during Christmas break to sell to my friends. My father was born in Germany and became a master baker there. He would have been impressed with how well my daughter bakes and how hard she works.
I wish I could try some of your daughter’s truffles. :) That’s awesome she was able to sell them! And I bet her grandfather would have been proud. :)
Fudge is my favorite
I like fudge and peanut brittle
It’s really hard to pick just one favorite, but I’ll go with Apple Cake.
I love chocolate and it is difficult to find safe to eat chocolate for people with dairy allergies. <3
This chocolate isn’t dairy-free, though. Sorry about that. :(
Just made these, but substituted baked apples for the pumpkin. I also used quinoa flour instead of the oat flour, as that is what I had. It came out great and was a hit at dinner last night! Seems like it is a pretty flexible recipe.
I did my practice batch (because I didn’t want to possibly waste my limited supply of pumpkin) with apples! Aren’t they good that way? :) I love that you used quinoa flour in these. I’m so happy that they worked out for you! Thanks a ton for the feedback. :)
I love the caramels my mom makes!
I like those cherries that are dipped in chocolate (for some reason they only appear at Christmas)
Cake!
Eggnog :)
hot cocoa!
Holiday fudge and all things pumpkin :D
My favorite holiday treat is anything with pumpkin.
So I lived in Europe for 7 years and I am very familiar with most of these chocolates! European chocolates are the BEST! Thanks for the giveaway! My favorite holiday treat is peppermint bark!
You’re welcome! And where did you live? :) I have 5 years in Germany and 2 separate years in Sweden!
Every year my mom would make extremely basic sugar cookies that me and my sis would douse liberally with sprinkles. So good! Now, I can’t eat them, so I’m the one making them instead! Although I miss their buttery taste, it’s just fun to watch my family get to devour the goods that I once loved.
I’m sad that you can’t eat them, though. :( Have you found a good sub?
My favorite is pumpkin roll or I should say it used to be. I am brand new to this gluten free stuff and haven’t had a chance to try baking much yet. Loove the sound of the pumpkin bars
Mmmm Streuselkuchen ;) You’ve been in Germany for too long!! In a good way, of course.
Mr. T is suffering from Geschmacksverirrung if he likes Rote Gruetze – you tell him I said that! That stuff is… Other than that, I love your giveaway, what a sweet idea (literally)!
Hahaha. This is NOT Streuselkuchen. Let’s get that clear. ;) And haha. Going to tell Mr. T what you said! :D
Wow I love the streusel twist you put on this!! I’m usually not a big fan of the crust in pumpkin pie but I LOVE anything crumbly like this!
Thanks so much, Sam! :)
Hi Erin! Snow here tomorrow means I will be baking your bars, because I love anything pumpkin!
My favorite holiday treat is pumpkin pie, followed closely by Oatmeal Carmelitas.
Would love German chocolate to arrive at my home. :)
Thanks for the chance to win!!
It sounds like it’ll be a cozy day for you! Snow, these bars, and some hot chocolate would be my ideal kind of day. :) I hope you’ll enjoy them! I’d love to hear how they come out. :)
Erin, YUMMY! I made a few minor changes, I used Truvia baking blend in place of the sugar in the filling. Wow, these are totally amazing. My hubby ‘found’ them when he got home from a trip and has been taking sneak bites for two days. LOL Thanks for a new favorite recipe.
I’m so happy that you liked them and that the Truvia worked out well! And aww. I love that your husband is taking sneak bites. :D Thanks so much for your feedback!
Is it wrong if my favorite holiday treat is stuffing? Preferably minus the turkey liver.
But, for real, pumpkin everything wins in my book. It’s my favorite kind of pie. It’s my favorite kind of coffee. It’s my favorite kind of cake, cupcake, coffee, and even Larabar. I will be making these.
Haha. You wanna know mine? Fluffy dinner rolls. With all-purpose flour. It’s all I want to eat at Thanksgiving, given that they’re fresh from the oven and dripping with butter. And I’m so happy that you want to make these! Let me know how they come out. :)
These bars look incredible! I love the streusel topping. These would be way better than pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Erin! And I totally agree. :)
chocolate chip bourbon pecan pie!
My favorite holiday treat candied almonds.
Yule log cake
I love Ritter Sport candy bars! My husband’s favorite is the milk chocolate with hazelnut and mine is the milk chocolate with almonds. YUM. The Milka bars are really great too.
My favorite holiday sweet is the pumpkin pie or maybe the pecan pie. Not sure which. Maybe both!
Those types are both yummy! Can you get those in the US?
Hey Erin! I just love all your recipes. Random question-do you know German, and if so, how did you learn it? I recently moved to Germany and your blog has been very helpful with your baking tips :) thank you!
Hi Emma! So happy that you like recipes and baking tips. :) I took 3 years of German in high school and another 3 in college and actually spoke better German before I moved here so I’m a terrible example. I understand most conversational stuff but speaking it myself and having the other person actually understand what I mean is another issue. Maybe you could join an integration class if you’re a total beginner (or maybe even if you’re not! I’m not sure how they work). Good luck! :)
I like sweet potato pie, primarily because this is the only time of year when you can get it.
I love chocolate-covered fruit!
My favourite holiday treat would be Milka chocolate praline bars, I always treated myself to several when I went on holiday abroad as a child :) I also loved a soft Spanish pastry sprinkled with icing sugar which I never knew the name of. As kids we called them ‘cow pats’ because of the shape of them! ;)
Milka pralines are really, really nice. :) And aww, I want to know what cow pats really are called so I can check them out. I love your made up name for them. :)
So excited to try these. I’ve just discovered you can buy Libby’s canned pumpkin purée in Aldi here in the UK so I’ll be attempting to make some of these soon – they look amazing! :)
Really?! Is it just a special limited time thing for “American week” or is it there regularly? I was thinking of taking a trip to England for some baking ingredients and if Aldi regularly has pumpkin, then I think that settles that. ;) I hope you’ll enjoy the bars! Let me know how they come out. :)
Looks super scrumptious! May have to eat this instead of pie! :)
I love christmas cookies.
My favorite holiday treat is toffee with dark chocolate and toasted pecans – YUM!!
These look amazing!!
Usually it would have been sweets of any kind but I can no longer have sweets so I have to say the holiday ham.
They look so good- I need you to try to make them dairy free though- I stink at cooking so I need you to go first! Fingers crossed you can figure it out!
Haha. I’m out of pumpkin for the year but I may try an apple version and if I do, I promise to try to make it DF! :)
My 11 year old niece loves pumpkin and I can’t wait to try out this recipe and bring it over to her house for the holidays.
I hope that you’ll both enjoy it! I’d love to hear how it comes out. :)
I love just about anything with pumpkin. But for the Thanksgiving holiday meal I can’t walk away from acorn squash.
Cornbread dressing
I love gingerbread!
My favorite holiday treat is all the pies! Unfortunately we don’t have pie much any other time of year, but when the holidays come around – look out!!
My favorite is definitely chocolate yule log
My favorite holiday treat are snowball cookies.
My favorite Holiday treat is a tie! Either my Cinnamon Candied popcorn – uses Red Hots candy – or my Red Hot Cinnamon Caramels. Both are so delicious and perfect color for the Holiday Season. Can you tell I love cinnamon? :)
Homemade red hot cinnamon caramels?! Whaaat? Is your recipe online somewhere? :)
Oh these bars look so good! I love anything topped with Streusel!
Snickerdoodles,
I love frosted sugar cookies for Christmas!
My favorite holiday treat is Red Velvet Cheesecake!
My favorite holiday goodie….tough question! Scones, German pecan roll, my mother’s coffee cakes…
and your pumpkin streusel squares look great, by the way!
German pecan roll?! Pecans must have been a lot cheaper in the old days because they’re so outrageously expensive here I can’t imagine ever baking with them. Or is it a German chocolate pecan roll and it doesn’t have anything to do with Germany? Either way, sounds interesting! :)
I was born in Germany, and at Aldi I can get a few holiday treats like stollen, spekulatius, and lebkuchen,but the true chocolates above are hard to get a hold of! Thanks for the chance to enter!
You’re welcome! I’m happy to have picked something you can’t get in the US. :)
These look amazing! My favorite holiday treat is pumpkin pie, of course :)
I made Chunky Apple Bread every year for Christmas morning – I always look forward to it. :-)
My favorite holiday treat is pecan pie!
My favorite holiday treat are Spritz cookies!
My mom’s sugar cookies are my favorite holiday treat!
So, these bars are basically streusel-bottomed, and I love that. Never enough streusel (or pumpkin!). I love this giveaway! Josh went to Germany in high school and can basically only remember the candy he ate, which seems like the best part anyway. My favorite holiday treat isn’t even sweet – it’s my mom’s party mix. She uses like 8 lbs of butter, so eating it is definitely limited to holidays when calories don’t count.
Hahaha. I love that he just remembers the candy. It is the most important part of an exchange. ;) And party mix? I don’t know what that is so I’m checking it out!
Any and all types of cookies :)
My mom’s shortbread cookies, which I haven’t figured out how to make for my GF daughter.
I’m a big fan of cookies…a Christmas classic!
I love holiday cookies! and pumpkin pie!
My favorite holiday treat is any kind of pie my dad makes!
I like pumpkin pie. But maybe that will change to these bars.
These pumpkin pie bars look sooooooo good. But my favorite holiday treat is molasses cookies dipped in chocolate. :)
My favorite holiday treats are pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce
Hey Erin, so sweet of you for putting together this giveaway! My favorite holiday treat would be cinnamon rolls.