Pumpkin Pie Bars (gluten-free, whole grain options)
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 Bars (gluten-free, whole grain options)
Ingredients
For the crust and topping:
- 1 1/4 cups (115 grams) oat flour if you're gluten-free, use GF oat flour
- 2 cups (180 grams) rolled oats if you're gluten-free, use GF oats
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar or raw sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (196 grams) unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
For the filling:
- 15 ounces (425 grams) canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs 50 grams each out of shell, room temp
- 1/3 cup (67 grams) granulated sugar or raw sugar
- 1/3 cup (67 grams) brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) evaporated milk
Instructions
- 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.1 1/4 cups (115 grams) oat flour, 2 cups (180 grams) rolled oats, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (196 grams) unsalted butter
- 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.15 ounces (425 grams) canned pumpkin puree, 2 large eggs, 1/3 cup (67 grams) granulated sugar, 1/3 cup (67 grams) brown sugar, 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup (120 ml) evaporated milk
- 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
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator.
Nutrition
Categories:
Bars, Fall Recipes, Gluten-free, Gluten-free Pie Recipes, Pies and Tarts, Thanksgiving Recipes, Whole Grain,
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.