Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

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Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are a taste of fall, blending the warmth of hearty oats and creamy pumpkin, with bursts of chocolate in every bite. A great wholesome snack or a perfect on-the-go breakfast treat.

Two Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars on a plate

Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

I’ve shared several takes on soft-baked Oatmeal Bars over the years, and they’ve truly been a hit! (Just check out these fan favorites: Blueberry Oatmeal Bars and Soft-Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Bars.)

Introducing the pumpkin-spiced version with pure canned pumpkin, eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and oats—no flour! These bars are not only flavorful but also rich in fiber and protein, a hit with kids for lunches and after-school snacks.

They’re the perfect grab-and-go option for breakfast, a midday snack, or a wholesome treat.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars Ingredients

  • Large eggs: Room-temperature eggs mix more evenly into batters, giving baked goods a lighter texture. Simply leave the eggs out on the counter for about 30 minutes before you start baking.
  • Pure maple syrup: Unlike corn or pancake syrup, pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener — it’s simply sap from maple trees boiled down to a syrupy consistency. Always go for 100% pure maple syrup — look for labels stating “100% pure maple syrup” and avoid those marked pancake syrup or maple-flavored syrup.
  • Pumpkin pie spice: This is a mix of warming spices (like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves). It’s available in most stores near other spices, or you can make your own pumpkin pie spice!
  • Baking powder: To test its freshness, drop a bit in warm water; it’s good to go if it bubbles up.

Oats in a food processor; combine wet ingredients and whisk until smooth.

Let’s Chat Pumpkin

When it comes to Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars, quality matters. Always go for a good-quality canned pumpkin – ideally, solid-pack pumpkin puree which is simply cooked pumpkin with no added ingredients.

Don’t confuse this with pumpkin pie filling, which comes pre-seasoned with spices, sweeteners, water, and other ingredients, prepping it for pie-baking duty.

A personal favorite? Libby’s® canned pumpkin (and nope, this isn’t sponsored). After various kitchen experiments, we’ve concluded that it consistently delivers in terms of moisture, vibrant color, and rich flavor.

Process shots: add oats to liquid ingredients, followed by spices, baking powder, and chocolate; mix well; press into pan and add chocolate on top.

How To Make Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars 

  • Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easier removal and cutting.
  • Pulse oats briefly to maintain texture; avoid turning them into flour.
  • Use precise measurements with measuring cups and a kitchen scale for accuracy.
  • Adjust spice amounts based on potency and freshness.
  • Spread the mixture evenly in the pan for consistent baking.
  • Check for doneness earlier due to oven variations.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before slicing for clean cuts.
  • Use a sharp knife for cutting, ensuring they have cooled entirely.

Two Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars on a plate.

VARIATIONS

  • For dairy-free Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars, use dairy-free chocolate chips.
  • If gluten is a concern, check the label to be sure your oats are certified gluten-free.
  • Serving ideas: For a wholesome snack or breakfast, pair these Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars with a spoonful of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of good almond butter. And if you’re in the mood for a treat? Warm a bar in the microwave and top it off with a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Delicious!

Other Nutritious Pumpkin Treats:

Recipe adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction!

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Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

5 from 2 votes
Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are a taste of fall, blending the warmth of hearty oats and creamy pumpkin, with bursts of chocolate in every bite. They strike the perfect balance for a wholesome snack or a great on-the-go breakfast treat.
Print Recipe

Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

5 from 2 votes
Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars are a taste of fall, blending the warmth of hearty oats and creamy pumpkin, with bursts of chocolate in every bite. They strike the perfect balance for a wholesome snack or a great on-the-go breakfast treat.
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, treat
Cuisine American, Healthy, Vegetarian
Keyword Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 16 bars
Chelsea Lords
Calories 184kcal
Cost $5.93

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup canned pumpkin (Note 1)
  • 2 large eggs
  • cup pure maple syrup (Note 2)
  • cup melted coconut oil (measure when melted)
  • cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 cups old-fashioned oats, pulsed to break up in blender or food processor
  • teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (Note 3)
  • teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • cup miniature chocolate chips, plus 2 tablespoons for topping

Instructions

  • PREP: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x9-inch baking pan generously with cooking spray. Line it with parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang on two opposite sides. This will help you lift the bars out once they're baked.
  • OATS: Place the oats in a food processor or blender. Pulse 10 times (1 second per pulse) to slightly break them up.
  • PREPARE BARS: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the wet ingredients. Whisk them together until smooth and well combined. To the same bowl, add the dry ingredients, including the pulsed oats and ⅔ cup of chocolate chips. Stir everything together until well mixed.
    Oats in a food processor; combine wet ingredients and whisk until smooth.
  • BAKE: Using a spatula, transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Spread it out evenly, pressing down gently to make sure the mixture is compact. (This will prevent the bars from falling apart after baking.) Sprinkle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-27 minutes, or until the center has set and the edges are lightly golden brown. Be careful not to over-bake, as this will result in dry bars.
  • CHILL: After baking, remove the pan from the oven. Let it cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Afterward, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill until the bars are completely cold.
  • ENJOY: Once chilled, lift out the bars using the parchment paper overhang. Place them on a cutting board, and using a sharp knife, cut into individual bars. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Pumpkin: Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling has added sugars and spices. Also note that we're only using 1 cup, not the entire can! Use leftovers in this popular Pumpkin Protein Shake!
Note 2: Pure maple syrup: Unlike corn or pancake syrup, pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener -- it's simply sap from maple trees boiled down to a syrupy consistency. Always go for 100% pure maple syrup -- look for labels stating "100% pure maple syrup" and avoid those marked "pancake syrup" or "maple-flavored syrup."
Note 3: Pumpkin pie spice: This is a mix of warming spices. It's available in most stores near other spices, or you can make your own pumpkin pie spice!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 2435IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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