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
Join over 12,400 readers and sweeten up
your inbox with new posts for free!
This subscription is free of charge and can be canceled at any time.
119 comments on “Pumpkin Pie Bars (gluten-free, whole grain options)” — Add one!
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?