Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
on May 15, 2020, Updated Sep 05, 2024
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These vegan baked pumpkin oatmeal bars are easy to make in under 30 minutes with just 4 simple ingredients.
About the Recipe
These easy bars are vegan, gluten-free and have no added oil or sugar! All you need to make them is oats, dates, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Though extras like walnuts or chocolate chips are recommended for flavour and texture.
These are really yummy spread with some almond butter or coconut butter or you can even serve them warm with coconut whipped cream for a healthy dessert. You can also crumble them over yogurt, chia seed pudding or a smoothie. To make them more like dessert you could add the chocolate ganache from these No-Bake Hemp Seed Brownies.
These bars are a bit different than more traditional baked oatmeal recipes like this Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal or Easy Vegan Banana Baked Oatmeal. These are firmer and more like a snack bar, similar to these Chocolate Baked Protein Oatmeal Bars and Vegan Banana Oatmeal Bars.
Ingredients
- Canned Pumpkin Puree: Choose plain, canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Dates: Any variety of dates work but I recommend medjool, sayer or deglect noor
- Oats: Rolled oats are best but quick oats work too.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice use 1 tsp of cinnamon and 1/4 tsp each of ground ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. No worries if you’re missing one, just add a little extra cinnamon.
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
Extras
The basic version of these bars are delicious but you can add any, or a combination of any of the ingredients below, up to roughly 3/4 cups. I recommend dairy-free chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
- dairy-free chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
- chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds
- raisins, cranberries or chopped dried fruit
- unsweetened shredded coconut
- hemp seeds
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Place the pitted dates in a bowl, cover with hot water and soak for 15 minutes.
Quick Note: While this isn’t totally necessary, soaking the dates makes them so caramelly and delicious that I recommend taking the time for this step.
Step 2: After you’ve soaked and drained the dates all them to a food processor with the pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and oats. Process to combine into a thick, doughy batter.
Quick Note: If you’re adding extras like chocolate chips or walnuts, add them now and pules a few times to distribute throughout.
Step 3: Take the processed dough and press it into a baking dish. Time to bake! Pop them in the oven for 12 minutes at 350 degrees F. After baking, let them sit for a few minutes then slice into bars and enjoy!
FAQs
These bars will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for 1 week or can be frozen for up to 2 months.
More Baked Oatmeal
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to comment section below to leave your star rating and review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Baked Pumpkin Oat Bars
Ingredients
Optional Ingredients
- 2 tbsp sweetener, (maple syrup, agave syrup, brown sugar, etc).
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, walnuts or 1/4 cup each
Instructions
- Place the dates in a bowl, pour hot water over them and let sit for 15 minutes then drain well.
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Add the soaked and drained dates, oats, spice and pumpkin to a food processor and process to combine into a thick, doughy batter. About 20-30 seconds should do the trick.
- If adding additional ingredients like chocolate chips or walnuts, add them now and pulse a few times to distribute throughout the dough.
- Lightly spray a 7-8 inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper then firmly press the dough into the pan.
- Bake for 12 minutes then let then cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Slice into 16 bars and carefully lift out the pan with a knife.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published on November 3, 2017.
Can these be stored out of the fridge for a few days? I’m trying to find some treats/breakfasts that would work well for a vacation!
Yep, that’s fine! They’re good for camping just try to keep cool so they don’t get too soft and mushy.
Just made these tonight and they’re quite tasty! I don’t mind that they’re not super sweet, but sweet enough for us with 1/2 c. chocolate chips and a heavy pinch of stevia. They’re filling, and you could take one in a container (or baggie) if you’re running short on time and want a healthier snack than the processed food that’s quick and convenient.
These are now among my favorite treats (#1 is still your Vegan Health Bars). What is interesting for me is that I don’t really like pumpkin very much! I added the optional 1 tbl. Maple Syrup and chopped 1/4 cup glazed walnuts as well as 2 tbls. Hemp protein powder and nutritional yeast for an extra boost (it’s a battle for me to meet fiber goal).
Very good! I did add walnuts. Perfect amount of sweetness! Thank you for the recipe. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes!🙂
Simple and delicious. My new go to baked oatmeal recipe, and the dates add just enough sweetness. Thank you ❤️
So glad to hear that, Hannah! Thanks for the reminder I need to make these again!
So easy! A hit for the whole family.
Fantastic! So glad everyone enjoyed them.
My whole family loved these. I added 50g chopped walnuts, 20g of honey, and 85g of melted chocolate layered on top. I chilled the chocolate in the fridge for a bit to harden. They kind of remind me of a tastier Cliff Bar. Definitely a tasty treat after dinner or after a long hike. Your recipes are great. Thanks!
That’s awesome, Adam! Great idea to put chocolate on top! So glad you all enjoyed them. Thanks so much.
Hello Deryn,
I just made these, going to try them as we speak, I became a Vegan 2 months ago, I am diabetic,they dont know if 1 or 2 or resistant, I’m 10 # overweight due to the insulin, makes sure you gain,even tho im very health & weight concious,i don’t crave. My Son (Not Married yet) is type1 and loves recipes I send him, He’s excited about the dressing with mangos and wants a salad to go with it, it’s yours of course so I sent him your site. I’m hoping the pix in my lower 1/2 of screen is yours, its 2 cans chick peas,salad,BBq sauce looks yummy got to try it, I need a BBQ sauce recipe to make it.?
Love your recipes;
JOy
I recently completed a long elimination cleanse to transition into a completely plant-based/ SOS free diet.
I’m slowly adding foods back in & keeping those that don’t inflame (or serve) me. This was my first “dessert” and
They. Are. Perfect.
So satisfying, slightly sweet & decadent but not too rich.. and so versatile. I made a 1/2 batch on Tuesday & another this evening.
I am so grateful to have found your site!
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much for trying them 🙂 I’m so glad they worked out for you!! I love these too. The perfect healthier dessert option. Happy plant eating!