Pumpkin Protein Bars
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These pumpkin protein bars are vegan, gluten-free and oil-free. They make for a perfect pre or post-workout snack or grab-and-go breakfast. Each bar has less than 80 calories, 7 grams of protein and only 4 grams of sugar!
I have another pumpkin recipe for ya (shocker, I know!). Today we’re making pumpkin protein bars!
These bars have the perfect amount of pumpkin pie flavor and a good protein to carb ratio — perfect for munching on before or after your workout or as a grab-and-go breakfast bar. I hope you love them as much as I do. Seriously, they are so good!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Pumpkin Protein Bar Recipe
There’s something about these bars that keeps me coming back to them every fall. Here’s why they’ve earned a permanent spot in my snack rotation:
- Perfect texture – Soft, chewy, and just the right amount of dense without being dry or crumbly.
- Naturally sweetened – The entire batch is sweetened with just 1/4 cup of maple syrup and some dairy-free dark chocolate chips on top because chocolate makes everything better, am I right?!
- Diet-friendly – They’re gluten free, vegan (as long as you use vegan protein powder) and completely oil free.
- Fuel that lasts – Each bar is packed with 7 grams of protein so they actually keep you full between meals.
- Freezer-friendly – I love keeping a batch in the freezer so I can grab one whenever I need a quick snack or breakfast on the go.
“I make a double batch of these bars almost every other day…so good and the Macros are perfect for a balanced snack without the guilt!! Thank you for the recipe 🙂”
Ingredients Needed
- rolled or quick oats – oats are naturally gluten-free but are often cross-contaminated during processing. If you need these bars to be gluten-free, make sure you look for oats that say “gluten-free” on the package! I like to use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Whole Grain Rolled Oats.
- vanilla protein powder – you can use your favorite protein powder, but if you want to keep these bars vegan, make sure you use vegan protein powder. My go-to brand is Nuzest (use the code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order).
- pumpkin pie spice – use store-bought or make homemade pumpkin pie spice.
- maple syrup – for just a touch of sweetness! Feel free to sub in your favorite liquid sweetener like honey, agave or stevia.
- pumpkin puree – either canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree works. If you’re using store-bought, make sure you pick up canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie mix has added sugar!
- unsweetened dairy-free milk – I like to use unsweetened oat milk, so I can control the amount of sweetness I add to the recipe. If you don’t have oat milk, feel free to use almond milk or your favorite milk instead.
- chocolate chips – I like dark chocolate chips, but any type of chocolate chip works. For a low-sugar version, use Lily’s stevia-sweetened chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark chocolate). For a vegan version, use Enjoy Life’s dairy-free chocolate chips.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Pumpkin Protein Bars
These pumpkin protein bars come together in just a few easy steps. You’ll mix, press, bake and before you know it, you’ve got a cozy fall snack ready to go.
Step 1: Start by mixing your dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix together your wet ingredients.
Step 3: Combine both the wet and dry ingredients.
Step 4: Pour the batter into a prepared dish, top it off with chocolate chips, and bake.
Brittany’s Tips
- Adjust the batter texture: Different protein powders and oat varieties absorb liquid differently. If the batter feels too thick or dry, stir in 1–2 extra tablespoons of milk before baking.
- Let the bars cool completely: These bars firm up as they cool, so resist cutting them right out of the oven. Letting them rest helps them set properly and gives you clean, soft slices.
- Skip the protein powder: If you’re not a protein powder fan, I recommend making these healthy pumpkin bars instead. They have a similar cozy flavor without the added protein.
Storing Pumpkin Protein Bars
After letting your bars cool completely, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They can be stored at room temp for up to three days, but they do keep best if stored in the fridge. You can also store them in the freezer for up to three months!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Any vanilla protein powder will work, but the texture may vary slightly. I prefer a plant-based protein for this recipe to keep it vegan.
They are if you use certified gluten-free oats. Regular oats are often cross-contaminated, so double-check the label if you need them to be gluten-free.
Definitely. Any milk works here — almond, soy, dairy, or whatever you have on hand.
More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Pumpkin Protein Bars (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats, or quick oats
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder, vegan if needed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree
- ½ cup oat milk, or other non-dairy milk
- 1-2 Tablespoons dairy-free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 8×8 baking dish with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
- Stir together the dry ingredients including oats, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients including the maple syrup, pumpkin and oat milk.
- Gently add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Spread batter evenly into the prepared dish, sprinkle on a few dark chocolate chips and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick come out clean. Let bars cool, cut into 16 bars and enjoy.
- Store bars in the refrigerator for up to one week or freezer for up to three months.
Video
Notes
- Maple syrup: Feel free to sub in your favorite liquid sweetener like honey, agave or stevia.
- Storage: Store cooled bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
Turned out pretty well! Mine don’t look like yours really, they sort of fell as they cooled and they have a more wet texture than expected. Maybe I didn’t bake them long enough, though I did the full time. Definitely tasted protein-y, I used Orgain vanilla protein powder. Still super yummy!!! (Next time I’m going to add nuts and more chocolate!)
I am so happy that these pumpkin bars were a hit, Ciara. It could have been the protein powder that made them a bit more when, different protein powders soak up more liquid than others so that could have been why yours turned out with a little more of a wet texture. Thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate you being here!
Just made these and they are perfect post-workout snack!! Can I just ask how you recommend consuming once frozen? Heat up? Eat cold once thawed ? Thanks!!
Hi, Alex. Let them thaw in the fridge and eat them cold. Then you can either eat it cold or pop it in the toaster oven for a few minutes to warm it back up. You can also use a microwave or regular oven. I’m so glad you’re enjoying them!
I make a double batch of these bars almost every other day…so good and the Macros are perfect for a balanced snack without the guilt!! Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Yay! I’m so glad you’re loving these bars, Kristin! Thank you so much for sharing your review, it means so much to me.
I used chocolate aloha protein powder and added crushed pecans. They are out of this world good. Skipped the chips.
Woo!! Happy to hear these protein bars were a hit, Sarah. Thanks for trying them out and coming back to leave a review and star rating. I really appreciate it!
Pumpkin bar recipe calls for “1 can” or homemade pumpkin purée. Would be helpful to say 16 oz or 32 oz can.
Hey Suzanne, the recipe calls for 1 cup of pumpkin puree, not 1 can.
I made these last week and liked them so much I decided to make them again this week. Super easy. They definitely have a protein taste but I eat protein bars/shakes regularly so this did not bother me. I used Nuzest vanilla protein. Thanks for the recipe!
Yay!! So pumped to hear these pumpkin protein bars were a hit, Katie. Thanks so much for the review. It means so much to me!
Hey! The nutritional info at the beginning of the recipe and at the end are different. Just curious which is correct? 60 cal, 4 sugar, 5 protein OR 77 cal, 4 sugar, 11 protein? Excited to make these this weekend!!
Sorry, Mattie!! Thanks for catching that. I updated the recipe with a different protein powder so I think that’s where the change came from. I just updated everything so it should be accurate. 🙂
Loved this recipe! Someone mentioned different protein powders soak up liquid differently and boy did that make a difference in my preference! I personally love using teras whey protein powder. It makes for a very liquidy batter and bakes to be more puffy & cake like!
Hi, I watched the video and completed the recipe but my batter was much drier than what appeared on the video. I added a bit more pumpkin puree and milk but it still wasn’t as close as yours was for liquid. I’m still baking and it already took 5 minutes more than usual. Are you sure the measurements are accurate?
Thanks Joy
Yes! I’ve made this recipe many many times. 🙂 Some protein soak up more liquid than others, so maybe that’s the case? What protein powder did you use? Did you change anything else about the recipe?
I was super excited to see this recipe pop up! I was a little nervous about using 1 cup of protein powder, so I dialed it back to 3/4 cup. The aftertaste was still a little too protein-y for me, so I am making them again with 1/2 protein powder and I added a little extra oats. Overall, great recipe! They come together super quick and they’re a great snack!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jackie! And happy to hear they turned out for you. 🙂 The taste definitely depends on the type of protein powder you use.